Mismatched expectations? Experiences of nurses in a low-income country working with visiting nurses from high-income countries.
OBJECTIVE
To describe how nurses in a rural hospital in a low-income country experience working with visiting nurses from high-income countries.


BACKGROUND
Nurses in low-income countries work with visiting nurses from high-income countries in various health projects. However, there is a paucity of studies examining how nurses in low-income countries experience working with nurses from such different backgrounds.


METHODS
This study is descriptive, explorative and qualitative.


METHODS
The data were collected from 10 semi-structured interviews in 2015 and were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The study was conducted with ward nurses in a rural hospital in Tanzania, a sub-Saharan African country characterised as low-income country.


RESULTS
The data analysis revealed two themes related to the local nurses' experiences of working with visiting nurses from high-income countries: (1) To do it our way and (2) Different expectations, benefits and limitations.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings strongly indicate that the local nurses expected foreign nurses to follow the local system and work under supervision. The local nurses appreciated opportunities to learn from working and sharing knowledge with foreign nurses, but simultaneously expressed that the gained knowledge should be adapted and implemented according to their local health system.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings can inform nurses, humanitarian organisations, hospitals and universities working in international collaborations.
Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Social Science, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
Ingrid
I
Tjoflåt
Haydom School of Nursing, Haydom, Mbulu, Manyara, Tanzania.
Theodotha John
TJ
Melissa
Research Centre, Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Haydom, Manyara, Tanzania.|Department of Research, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Estomih
E
Mduma
Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Social Science, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.|University College Vestfold and Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Britt Saetre
BS
Hansen
Stavanger University Hospital and University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
Eldar
E
Søreide
D000328:Adult; D054521:Cultural Competency; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D064700:Nurses, International; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D011203:Poverty; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013636:Tanzania
hospital nursing care; international collaboration; nurses; qualitative research; visiting foreign nurses