Professional Experiences of Immigrant Turkish Nurses in Berlin, Germany: A Descriptive PhenomenologicalQualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: The escalating global demand for nurses has precipitated a surge in immigration, primarily characterized by a notable influx of individuals from low-income countries to high-income nations. This research aims to explore the professional experiences of Turkish nurses who have immigrated to Germany. Material and Methods: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative approach was utilized in this study. Due to the limited number of immigrants Turkish nurses, the snowball sampling method was employed. The data for the study were collected during the period of July to September 2018. Twelve nurses were selected as samples for the study. The interviews were conducted face-to-face using a semi-structured form, and the conversations were recorded. Results: The findings from the interviews yielded three main themes: (1) providing care to patients from diverse cultures, (2) caring for patients from the same culture, and (3) opinions about the country where the nurse works. Conclusion: Immigrant nurses have encountered some challenges in their professional lives, including high cultural diversity, communication barriers, racism, an inadequate number of nurses, and a heavy workload. However, having adequate insurance services, better earnings compared to their home country, and flexibility in working hours were found to have a positive impact on the nurses. Overall, the nurses' positive and negative experiences have led them to recommend immigration to their colleagues in their home country. The experiences of immigrant nurses hold crucial importance in guiding other nurses considering migration and addressing the challenges they may face in the future.