Can bilateral labour agreements safeguard the rights, health and well-being of internationally educated nurses in Europe? Full report & recommendations
This 2024 report examines the potential of Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs) to safeguard the rights, health and well-being of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) in WHO Europe. Currently, there is a deficit of one million nurses in Europe and a reliance on IENs. The report provides a comprehensive account of the issues by drawing on literature review, an international survey of senior nurse leaders, and consultations with expert informants. The findings highlight the role of BLAs in safeguarding IENs and the importance of involving Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) and National Nursing Associations (NNAs) at every stage of BLAs. A Tripartite Model of BLAs is developed including the Ministry of Health, CNO’s/equivalents and NNA’s. Recommendations for policy, practice, research and IENs are provided. The findings are transferable to other professional groups and WHO regions.
Executive summary & policy recommendations
Published Citation
Brubakk K, Godfrey M, Kwaku F, Solberg T, Toure Y. Can bilateral labour agreements safeguard the rights, health and well-being of internationally educated nurses in Europe? Full report & recommendations. Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI) Scholars Europe Group 2023; 2024.