Objective The purpose of this paper is to discuss the key elements to consider when developing and implementing strategies to enhance the transition of overseas qualified nurses and midwives (OQNMs) into the Australian healthcare clinical practice environment. Setting A local health district with a major metropolitan centre and a mix of large regional centres which provide a range of public health services, to a population of approximately 850,000 people located in New South Wales, Australia. Subjects Newly recruited overseas qualified nurses and midwives. Many of these nurses and midwives are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and different countries. Primary argument Within the Australian nursing and midwifery practice environment the recruitment of overseas qualified nurses has gradually increased. While transitioning into the practice environment requires a range of support strategies, there is limited information on how to support them. Conclusion The culturally constructed support program and its strategies assisted in minimising the impact of the challenges and difficulties faced by OQNMs in their transition into the Australian nursing workforce. The program was instrumental in improving their well-being and it provided a strategic framework to facilitate a smoother transition. Risks to patient safety were mitigated by providing opportunities for education so the provision of safe quality care was enhanced. This was also seen as a factor that enhanced the recruitment and retention of nurses in the workforce. © 2016, Australian Nursing Federation. All rights reserved.

Nursing practice Transition Support Overseas qualified nurses Australian healthcare

education doctor patient relation clinical practice public health service New South Wales patient safety nursing practice human wellbeing human experiment midwife