Introduction
Australia wide, workforce shortages continue to impact the recruitment and retention of Registered Nurses. In preparation for the expansion of its Critical Care Services Building (CSB), Canberra Health Services (CHS) implemented an international recruitment strategy to attract specialised nurses in Intensive Care, Emergency and Perioperative Services. This innovative recruitment activity resulted in the successful appointment of 100 plus nurses. Recognising their diverse needs, a tailored orientation program was developed to facilitate the transition and successful integration to the Australian healthcare system.
Main Body
The international recruitment strategy adopted by CHS was an Agency-Facilitated Model, ensuring efficient and large-scale hiring, targeting international nurses from countries such as New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK. Key incentives, including visa sponsorship and relocation support, were offered to attract candidates. A comprehensive five-day orientation program was designed in collaboration with the key stakeholders across the service. The program covered essential topics, including hospital policies, clinical skills training, digital health systems, cultural competence, and support networks. Monthly orientation intakes were scheduled from August 2024 to February 2025 to accommodate varying visa processing times. The program also included debrief sessions to address challenges such as adapting to new clinical procedures and organisational systems. Evaluation surveys revealed that 93% of participants found the program excellent, with 82% highlighting its effectiveness in facilitating cultural adaptation and 81% valuing the peer interaction and networking opportunities.
Conclusion
The structured recruitment and orientation program effectively transitioned 100 plus international nurses across CHS. Key success factors included collaboration with stakeholders, adherence to regulatory standards of AHPRA, and continuous feedback mechanisms. Recommendations for improvements include extending digital health training sessions and implementing long-term performance metrics to assess retention . This recruitment approach serves as a model for addressing workforce shortages while ensuring a seamless transition of international nurses into the Australian healthcare system.