A qualitative study of the experiences and professional role of volunteer nurses at the Health Centre for Undocumented Migrants in Oslo, Norway

Abstract

The study aims to explore the experiences, perceptions and perspectives of volunteer nurses who are providing healthcare to irregular migrants at the Health Centre for Undocumented Migrants in Oslo Norway, with particular attention to the ways in which they perform and reflect upon their professional role there. Qualitative methods were employed in this project, including five in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed, using a thematic analysis. The findings in this study suggest that the nurses’ responsibilities are to assess the patients’ problems, decide to which health personnel the patients should be further referred, evaluate whether they need to take any tests, and have a conversation with the patients. Three aspects of the nursing profession were emphasized and discussed: the nurses’ discretionary space, the role as gatekeeper and the fellowship at the Health Centre. The nurses can meet limits in addressing the patients’ health needs, since the patients’ health often is related to a difficult life situation. However, the findings also suggest that the nurses are able to realize several core nursing values at the Health Centre, for example care and empathy. The nurses describe that they perceive of volunteering at the Health Centre as very rewarding. This study has given insight into a unique context of care provision, the role of the nurse within it, and not only the challenges confronted and negotiated, but also the opportunities and conditions of possibility for providing care and realizing professional values