Internationally-educated nurses and the clinical transition program: Assessing the impact upon patient satisfaction

12^th Nursing and Healthcare Congress

October 03-05, 2016 Vancouver, Canada

Jennifer Elton David

Avant Healthcare Professionals Ltd, USA

Keynote: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

No two countries have the exact same professional practice standards, communication expectations, and/or clinical environments. Patient satisfaction as a result of quality of care, therefore can vary from country to country. Evidence suggests that patient satisfaction levels and quality of care within a host country may be influenced by internationallyeducated nurses. Avant Healthcare Professionals specializes in international recruitment and the placement of healthcare professionals within the U.S. healthcare system. Part of their efforts include the implementation of the Clinical Transition Program, which aims to educate and support internationally-educated nurses. The primary goal of the Clinical Transition Program is to empower the internationally-educated nurse to practice safely and effectively as a professional nurse in the U.S. In order to assess patient satisfaction and its possible link with the performance of internationally-educated nurses who have participated in the Clinical Transition Program, an electronic 45-item questionnaire was distributed to clinical nurse managers in facilities who staffed Avant nurses. The questionnaire surveyed Avant nurse performance, patient satisfaction, and patient accolades. Further, the following themes were explored: professionalism, cultural adujstment, nurse-patient interaction (overall communication, pain management, medication communication, and responsiveness), nurse-physician interaction, and HCAHPS scores. The survey was completed by 33 clinical nurse managers across the nation. The results suggest a positive association between the performance of internationally-educated nurses who have participated in the Clinical Transition Program and patient satisfaction variables. This presentation explores ways to ensure the success of internationally-educated nurses and the satisfaction of their patients.

Biography :

Jennifer Elton David has a distinguished 38 year career in nursing which includes several leadership roles. She is the Vice President of Clinical Operations for Avant Healthcare Professionals and manages the Clinical Transition Program. She has a BSN from the University of South Florida and a MHA from the University of St. Francis.

Email: Jdavid@avanthealthcare.com