Job Satisfaction Challenges of Filipino Nurses in Fenno-Swedish Healthcare Services: A qualitative study

Abstract

There is a nursing shortage in the developed countries due to the increase of their older population. Similarly, Finland has been recruiting internationally educated nurses, such as Filipino nurses, to resolve staff shortages in healthcare services. The study aimed to describe Filipino nurses’ job satisfaction challenges and to know the role of leaders in enhancing job satisfaction and well-being in the Fenno-Swedish healthcare services. The study used two data collection methods: integrative review and semi-structured interviews. Ten articles satisfied the selection criteria in the integrative review, applying comprehensive search literature and evaluation. On the other hand, 14 Filipino nurses volunteered for semi-structured interviews. Moreover, the study used thematic content analysis to analyse the data, and the theoretical framework used was salutogenic theory.

Comparatively, there is a significant fraction of similarities and few differences between the results of these two data collection methods. After the analysis, the study formulated three themes: Personal, Professional, and Leadership support. The Personal theme emphasised Filipino nurses’ motivation to come to Finland, feeling away from home, and perception of cultural differences and deskilling. The professional theme examined workplace language and communication, relationship dynamics, and work-related stressors.

Moreover, the role of leadership is pivotal in enhancing Filipino nurses’ job satisfaction and well-being. The result showed that the leadership support theme discussed improving language and communication skills, applying cultural competence, and implementing anti-discrimination policies.