The title of ‘internationally educated nurse’ is viewed among the profession as both a “badge of pride” as well as a “marker of disparity and difference”, a conference has heard.
Nurses last week discussed the significance of the term and what the long-term effects of its use might be for nurses working in the UK who were trained overseas.
“When used with respect, this title becomes a symbol of resilience, adaptability and global competence”
Liza Delfin
The debate came during the 2025 Royal College of Nursing Congress, which was held in Liverpool last week.
Chinenye Ubah, from the RCN Eastern region, and who put forward the debate, noted that there were many titles used in the UK for nurses who had been trained abroad.
Terms include internationally educated nurses, international nurses, overseas nurses, migrant nurses, foreign nurses and globally experienced nurses.
Ms Ubah said: “No matter how long the international nurses practice in the UK, they still retain this title.
“But the puzzle is when, if any [time], could this title be dropped?
“This title I know connotes foreignness, a sort of identity and difference, but I’m also aware that some international nurses wear this title as a badge of pride, as an identity and a reminder of how far they have come.”
Liza Delfin, an advanced nurse practitioner from London, argued that the internationally educated nursing title was “something to be incredibly proud of”.
She said: “It reflects the diversity, skills and experience that nurses from all over the world bring to the UK. It highlights the global strength of our health care workforce.
“When used with respect, this title becomes a symbol of resilience, adaptability and global competence.
“It shows the richness of the international nursing community and the incredible contributions we make.”
Similarly, Adeola Dayo-Omonijo, RCN member from the West Midlands, recognised that the title “served to acknowledge the diversity and global training” these nurses bring.
However, she noted that continued use of the phrase could “unintentionally create disparity”.
Ms Dayo-Omonijo said: “As we look at the long-term implications, we must also ask ourselves: what happens when a tag meant to highlight the global training becomes a marker of disparity, difference and [is] causing a narrative of ‘us versus them’?
“This persistent distinction can affect not only how others view us internationally educated nurses but also how we internationally educated nurses view ourselves.”
Some RCN members recalled how the internationally educated nurse title had been used by their domestic counterparts to create a sense of otherness while at work.
Abdul-Manan Alhassan described how he had overheard a conversation between one of his colleagues and a patient, in which they discussed how he was “the overseas nurse” giving out medication.
Abdul-Manan Alhassan
“Sometimes it’s not that good,” he explained, adding: “It labels us, and some of our colleagues feel like they are less valued and also they have some skills that are not really valued compared to UK trained nurses.”
Meanwhile, Anastesia Nzute, from the RCN’s learning representatives committee, said it was not “an issue of titles or rephrasing” but rather “how we treat our internationally educated nurses”.
It comes as a recent survey of migrant nursing staff by the RCN revealed that just under half (42%) were planning on leaving the UK in search of better pay and conditions.
The survey found that 51% of respondents had experienced harassment, bullying or abuse while working in the UK, and 46% had experienced racism.
Ms Nzute said: “What we need to do congress is to seriously consider lobbying the government to develop clear policies, laws and procedures that protect and support our internationally educated nurses.
“We have to change this narrative that silently permits mistreatment and discrimination.
Chinenye Ubah
“This issue can no longer be ignored. Many more may fall victim if we do not act – enough is enough.”
This was echoed by Ms Ubah, who closed the debate by stating: “I think that what nurses value most, from what you all have shared, is being treated with respect.
“People want to be respected irrespective of what you call them.
“Personally, I don’t care what you call me. I want to be respected as [the] nurse that I am. I want to be respected for the values I bring into the system.”
More on internationally educated nurses
