Psychological Impact, Cultural Adjustment, and Performance of Nurses Working Abroad

Newly hired nurses encounter challenges with cultural adjustment, primarily due to language barriers and workplace cultural differences, which can lead to confusion and stress. This study focused on the psychological impact and cultural adjustment of 133 non-Arab nurses with three to four years of experience at Maternity and Children's Hospital (MMCH), utilizing Descriptive-Correlational and Causal research designs. The findings reveal that high job demands significantly contribute to work-related stress, leading to sleep disruptions and burnout. Although these nurses report high job satisfaction, especially regarding team belonging, they experience moderate stress stemming from cultural adjustments and communication barriers. Effective communication and support are crucial in international roles, as stress levels can affect performance; notably, nurses with greater cultural competencies perform better. The research indicates a significant correlation between work satisfaction and performance, suggesting that higher satisfaction enhances performance, whereas work-related stress, burnout, and cultural factors do not. Consequently, work satisfaction emerges as the primary predictor of nurse performance, emphasizing the necessity for supportive work environments, fair workloads, and recognition. Recommendations for healthcare providers include implementing stress management programs, setting clear job expectations, and addressing cultural adjustment issues and communication challenges to promote long-term health and well-being among non-Arab nurses.