About the Project
African migrant nurses (AMN) are a vital part of the UK NHS workforce, yet evidence points to uneven career progression, under representation in senior roles, and experiences of deskilling or stalled development. While policy initiatives promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, career opportunities remain underexplored. This study examines how AMN understand and experience career progression across NHS settings and bands, and how organisational cultures and interpersonal dynamics shape those…
experiences. By focusing on movement through roles, the study highlights facilitators such as sponsorship and culturally responsive supervision, alongside barriers including bias, limited visibility, and poor recognition of prior experience. The findings will inform practical recommendations to support fair, transparent development pathways that strengthen retention, wellbeing, and leadership diversity within the NHS.
Aims/Objectives
Aim: To explore and describe the experiences of African migrant nurses (AMN) with career progression within the UK NHS.
Objectives
- To document AMN perceptions and experiences of career progression, stagnation, or lack of advancement.
- To identify organisational, cultural, interpersonal, and structural factors that influence access to training, promotion, and leadership opportunities.
- To describe strategies used by AMN to navigate barriers, build professional credibility, and progress within their roles.
- To develop practice‑relevant insights that can inform more equitable progression pathways within the NHS.
Methods: This study will use Interpretive Description (ID) to generate practice‑focused understandings of how AMN experience career progression in the UK NHS. Participants will be recruited using purposive sampling to ensure variation in band, specialty, region, and training background. Approximately 15-20 participants will be recruited, guided by data saturation. Semi‑structured interviews will be conducted, transcribed verbatim, and analysed inductively using a thematic ID approach with constant comparison. Rigour will be supported through reflexive memoing, peer debriefing, and participant sense checking. Ethical approval will be obtained, and confidentiality and informed consent ensured.
