AIM:

To examine internationally educated nurses' experiences of empowerment structures using Kanter's theory of structural empowerment.

BACKGROUND:

There has been an increase in the number of nurses working in other countries worldwide and concerns have been raised regarding their working conditions.

METHOD:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 11 internationally educated nurses. Directed content analysis was used to analyse the data and Kanter's theory of empowerment was used as a framework.

RESULTS:

Access to information was generally good. Access to support for their relationship with their managers varied. Regarding access to resources, nurses unfamiliar with clinical leadership found team leadership challenging. Access to in-house learning opportunities were reported as good. Access to informal power was more common than access to formal power.

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings support Kanter's theory and demonstrate that internationally experienced nurses encountered varying degrees of access to empowering structures. Access to information and formal power was more general and related to the unit. Access to resources, support, opportunities and informal power were related to both the unit and the informants' specific situation as IENs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT:

Managers need to support IENs when having a team leadership role, facilitate encounters between IENs and ordinary staff, and establishing mentorship for IENs.