Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Nurses' shortage in Western countries has driven reliance on internationally trained Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) nurses, who now play a crucial workforce role. However, they face challenges compared to native nurses, making it essential to understand their experiences for fostering inclusivity. This qualitative evidence synthesis explores the experiences of internationally trained BAME nurses in Western health care settings. METHOD: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and gray literature was carried out. Quality was assessed using the CASP tool, and data were synthesized using Thomas and Harden's thematic synthesis approach. RESULTS: This review of 38 studies identified three themes: Initial Adaptation Hurdles, Professional Adversities, and Coping Strategies. Nurses experienced cultural and communication barriers, unfamiliar policies, and discriminatory interactions, with racism forming part of their professional experiences. DISCUSSION: Culturally tailored orientation, mentorship, and equitable opportunities are vital to enhancing integration and satisfaction, strengthening health care safety and performance.