Acculturation among Immigrant Nurses in Israel and the United States of America - Assignment Example

? Acculturation Synopsis Ea, E., Itzhaki, M., Ehrenfeld, M., & Fitzpatrick, J. . Acculturation among immigrant nurses in Israel and the United States of America. International Nursing Review, 57(4), 443-448. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-7657.2010.00812.x Introduction Filipino registered nurses (RNs) and Former Soviet Union Nurses (FSU) play a prominent role in the promotion of the health care services, in their host nations. However, minimal information about their acculturation is available. What was the purpose of the study? The purpose of the study was to determine the differences and the levels of acculturation between Filipino registered nurses in the USA and former Soviet Union nurses in Israel. Who participated or contributed data? The study involved the participation of 50 FSU nurses who are undergoing the process of completing an 18-months educational program at a training school in Israel to become professional registered nurses (RNs), and currently serving as practical nurses. All the participants have an experience in working with the FSU as well as old age homes. A Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans (ASASFA) and demographic questionnaires were administered to 141 Filipino RNs. What methods were used to collect data? Acculturation was conducted through the use of A Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans. A t-test was then conducted to identify the variability in acculturation between the two groups. Data was collected by use of questionnaires which were administered to the 50 FSU nurses. Convenience sampling technique was used in the recruitment of the Filipino RNs attending a national convention organized by Philippines Nurses Association of American. ASASFA was used to determine acculturation among Filipino RNs. The translated version was used to assess the FSU nurses. Was an intervention tested? No intervention was tested. What were the main findings? All FSU nurses were female with 68 per cent of them being married, 18% not married and the rest divorced. The age range of the participants was from 25 to 49 years with a mean of 34 years. The average length of residence in Israel was found to be 9.6 years. 66% of the participants reported average income, 32% reported low income while 2% reported high income. The purchasing power parity of the FSU nurses was found to be reasonable. An analysis of the Filipino RNs showed that 86.5% were female and 68.8% married. They had a group mean age of 45 years, 92.9% have a baccalaureate degree in nursing and an annual income of more than $60 000. Their average length of USA residency is 18 years. The acculturation mean for all FSU nurses was 2.15 out of 5 with a standard deviation of 0.39. The Filipino RNs group acculturation mean was found out to be 3 with a standard deviation of 0.39. The t-test confirmed the presence of a significant difference in acculturation between the two groups i.e. 11.30. The results indicate that the acculturation level of the Filipino RNs leaned towards the host culture. However, the FSU nurses portrayed an acculturation that is close to their original culture than the Israel culture. A high acculturation mean between the Filipino RNs indicates that they were comfortable with the use of the host’s language in all aspects of interactions. They were also comfortable with interacting with the members of the host culture. Credibility Is the study published in a source that required peer review? Yes X No ___Not sure ___ The publishing of the study in an article that requires peer review portrays the standard and credible nature of the results. Was the design used appropriate to the research questions? Yes X No ___Not sure ___ The descriptive design and convenience sampling was appropriate for answering the research questions. The researchers were interested in exploring acculturation differences between immigrant nurses in Israel and the United States of America. Did the data obtained and the analysis conducted answers the research questions? Yes X No ___Some but not others ___ The research dwelled on the physical properties that determine acculturation of different individuals. Such factors include age, marital status and basic income. The t-test provided a vivid representation of the variation in acculturation among the sample groups. Was there anything about the way the participants were chosen or their characteristics that could have influenced the findings? Yes __X_ No ___ The involvement of majority participants indicates that the impact of the gender factor is not catered for by the study. This leaves gaps on the acculturation mode of men nurses. Were the measuring instruments valid and reliable? Yes __X_ No ___ The instruments used made the study highly valid and reliable. The ASASFA instrument was reliable in capturing the crucial dimensions of acculturation among the FSU nurses in Israel. He instrument is characterized by simplicity, brevity and perfect sound psychometric properties. Were important extraneous variables and bias controlled? Yes X No ___ The practical nature of the study involved applications of measures necessary for controlling the impact as extraneous variables and bias. Was there anything about the way the study was done that that could have influenced the finding(s)? Yes _X__ No ___ The failure to apply the necessary measures required in controlling Type 1 conclusion error can affect the credibility and reliability of the results. Is each finding consistent with or different from previous findings in this area of study? Yes _X__ No ___Can’t be sure ___ The findings of the research correspond to the results of other studies involving nursing acculturation. This implies that all the main findings are credible and applicable in the promotion of health care. For each main finding is it credible? Yes X No ___ I judge all the main findings as credible. Conclusion The results contribute to the growing body of knowledge on acculturation of the immigrant nurses. The information provided can help health care institutions in designing programs that helps immigrant nurses in getting acculturated to different health care systems, as well as the mainstream society. Future acculturation programs should include strategies that promote the use of different languages among the nursing fraternity. This enhances socialization and interaction with co-workers and nurses originating from different cultural and religious backgrounds. I think the findings would be the same in USA. This is because the factors that affect successful acculturation are the same everywhere. These factors include and becoming proficient with the host country’s language, adopting the host country’s verbal and non-verbal communication styles, and overcoming the feelings isolated and devalued. Read More