The experience of nurses working within a voluntary network: a qualitative study of health care for undocumented migrants.

CONTENT analysis; EMIGRATION & immigration; EXPERIENTIAL learning; HEALTH services accessibility; UNDOCUMENTED immigrants; INTERVIEWING; RESEARCH methodology; MOTIVATION (Psychology); NURSE-patient relationships; NURSES; NURSING practice; NURSING ethics; REFUGEES; SOCIAL justice; VOLUNTARY health agencies; VOLUNTEERS; WORK; QUALITATIVE research; SOCIAL responsibility; THEMATIC analysis; WORK experience (Employment)

Purpose To illuminate the experience of nurses providing health care to undocumented migrants in a voluntary network. Methods and sample In a qualitative study, semistructured interviews were conducted with RNs regarding their experience of providing health care to undocumented migrants within a voluntary network. The interview transcripts were analysed using the inductive method of content analysis. Findings Three main categories emerged - structural inadequacy, ethical dilemmas and challenges, and personal impact and insights. The informants were driven by a strong ethical approach and a great sense of responsibility as human beings and as nurses. Conclusion Engaging with the voluntary network allowed the informants to cope with their frustration and feelings of inadequacy which emerged when confronted with institutionalised injustice in the conventional healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]