The Recruitment and Retention Elements of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Healthcare Teams: A Longitudinal Mixed-Method Pilot Study (HIRE)

Research Project: The Recruitment and Retention Elements of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Healthcare Teams: A Longitudinal Mixed-Method Pilot Study  (HIRE)

Developing recruitment and retention strategies is crucial for ensuring a sufficient workforce in the social and healthcare sector, particularly when hiring from abroad. One of the main hindrances to employment for immigrant nurses is cultural and linguistic barriers, which can hinder communication and professional development. The Department of Nursing Science at the University of Eastern Finland leads a two-year HIRE research project, which explores and evaluates the perspectives of nurses from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, as well as those of their work communities and managers, regarding recruitment, commitment to work, and related influencing factors. This longitudinal, mixed-method pilot study has received funding from the Finnish Work Environment Fund for 2025 and 2026.

The study consists of four work packages that examine recruitment practices, inclusivity in diverse teams, the impact of integration practices on retention, and the development of the HIRE recruitment and retention model for the healthcare sector. The research focuses on data collected from the VETOA project’s healthcare intervention units (n=6) and their staff (n=300), and compares findings with a broader dataset from the North Savo region (n=6000). The project is coordinated by the Department of Nursing Science at the University of Eastern Finland, with the School of Humanities as a research partner. The study is conducted in close collaboration with participating organizations.

The results of the study will be significant for Finnish healthcare, contributing to the improvement of recruitment processes, employee well-being, and the development of multicultural and multilingual work communities. The HIRE model, developed within the study, will serve as a tool for guiding recruitment and integration practices for international healthcare professionals while supporting workforce retention. The model takes both individual and organizational perspectives into account and aims to strengthen the utilization of diversity as a resource within work communities. The project is led by Docent Krista Jokiniemi from the Department of Nursing Science at the University of Eastern Finland.