Bridging Cultures: How One Neonatal Nurse is Transforming the Integration of Overseas Healthcare Professionals

This interview features Rachna Sharma, a distinguished neonatal nurse honoured with the Neonatal Nurse of the Year Award by the Neonatal Nurses Association (NNA). We explore the driving force behind her exceptional work in supporting international healthcare professionals as they navigate new work environments.

Rachna's innovative three-day International Culture and Communication Programme, recognised by this prestigious award, addresses a crucial need: providing effective support for diverse healthcare teams. In this conversation, we delve into the inspiration behind this transformative initiative, its evolution, and how Rachna's Master's in Medical Education from the University of Warwick has shaped its success. We also gain valuable insights for healthcare professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact within their field.

What award did you win?

The Neonatal Nurses Association (NNA) is a national organization. I was honoured to receive the Neonatal Nurse of the Year award from NNA, This award highlights the dedication and extraordinary contributions made in the field of neonatal nursing. This prestigious award holds significant value, not only for the nurse recipient but also for the wider team. This was awarded to me for designing International culture and communication 3 day programme to support integration of overseas health care professionals in new work culture.

What inspired you to create this programme?

My inspiration for creating this program stemmed from my own experiences as a neonatal nurse and the challenges I observed among overseas healthcare professionals. It took me nearly 10 years to fully adjust to the new culture. When I began my role as an educator at the regional level, I had the opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals from 13 different trusts, as well as nationally. I was eager to understand if there had been any improvements in the support available to overseas healthcare workers, as national reports often highlight these challenges. However, I found there was still a lack of a practical platform that empowers health professionals and addresses the unique difficulties they face in adapting to a new culture. I designed this program based on available evidence, identified gaps in support, and by incorporating the experiences of both senior and new overseas healthcare professionals.

How do you see this programme evolving in the future?

In the future, I envision this program becoming mandatory for all overseas professionals. Feedback from participants has consistently highlighted it as one of the most effective initiatives to support their integration into a new culture. I hope to see employers recognize the challenges faced by this group and actively offer this program as part of their support for overseas professionals, ensuring they have the tools and resources to thrive in their new environment.

How has the Masters in Medical Education influenced your approach to this initiative?

My Masters in Medical Education provided me with valuable insights and tools to effectively teach complex concepts like values, beliefs, and behaviours. These topics are deeply ingrained in a person's identity and shaped by various factors such as culture, environment, and personal experiences. As the designer of this program, I faced unique challenges in teaching these topics, but the knowledge and strategies I gained during my medical education helped me address them. I was able to apply a variety of interactive teaching methods, such as lectures, case study discussions, role-playing, and scenario-based activities, which engage students and promote the internalization of these crucial concepts.

What advice would you give to healthcare professionals who aspire to make a similar impact?

My advice to healthcare professionals aspiring to make a similar impact is to identify an initiative that can support either your colleagues or a patient population in meaningful ways. When I first started this program, there was limited evidence on whether such a program could effectively support integration into a new culture. However, the knowledge and academic perspective I gained from my medical education provided me with the confidence to tackle common challenges and design a platform that empowers healthcare professionals. By applying teaching strategies and approaches I learned in medical education, I was able to create and deliver a program that addresses these needs and makes a real difference.