Abstract
AIM: To explore recruiting managers' perception of the facilitators and barriers to specialty skill transfer of internationally qualified nurses in Australia. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study using a cross-sectional online survey with open-ended questions. Data were collected from July to September 2022. METHODS: A self-designed survey was distributed through social media, snowballing, and nursing professional organisations. Nine open-ended questions generated text responses that were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Descriptive statistics (counts/percentages) were used to summarise participant characteristics and the frequency of codes/categories; no inferential statistical tests were undertaken because the study did not aim to estimate population parameters or test group differences. RESULTS: Participants defined a specialty nurse as encompassing formal education, clinical experience, and advanced practical skills, including mentoring and leadership capabilities. Key challenges to IQN specialty skill transfer included uncertainty about overseas training quality, lack of formal transfer models, fragmented recruitment processes, insufficient managerial support, and bias or mistrust regarding international qualifications. Facilitators included structured support systems, positive workplace culture, informal mentorship, contextualised training, and access to continuing professional development. Managers emphasised that recognition and utilisation of IQNs' skills influenced retention, with personal circumstances, visa issues, and perceived lack of recognition contributing to attrition. Most participants (34/37; 91.9%) believed that IQNs' specialty skills can be effectively transferred to the Australian healthcare context with appropriate support and time (95% CI 78.7%-97.2%). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: A total of 37 recruiting managers contributed their perceptions.