The purpose of this article is to describe the experiences of a group of immigrant women nurses regarding their life and work in a culture other than their own. Semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with nurses who were born in Kerala, India, educated in India, and are actively employed as nurses in the United States. The participants told stories that were about (a) the challenges of living between two cultures and countries, (b) the racism they experience, and (c) their marginalization as female nurses of color. This study underscores the continuing inequities of our health care system. Our challenge is to establish a more just and effective environment for those who provide care as well as those who receive it. © 2004, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.

Kerala Nurses race Gender

New Jersey education cultural anthropology Cultural Diversity immigrant lifestyle social psychology Foreign Professional Personnel nurse social alienation India psychological aspect Caucasian nursing methodology research race difference human social isolation Women, Working middle aged Interprofessional Relations work nursing staff employee female worker ethnology Pennsylvania gender identity health personnel attitude academic achievement interview Attitude of Health Personnel foreign worker United States Humans workplace Acculturation female questionnaire cultural factor Article experience sex role Questionnaires adult migration European Continental Ancestry Group Prejudice Emigration and Immigration health care system public relations