Mismatched expectations? Experiences of nurses in a low‐income country working with visiting nurses from high‐income countries

Aim and objectives To describe how nurses in a rural hospital in a low‐income country experience working with visiting nurses from high‐income countries. Background Nurses in low‐income countries work with visiting nurses from high‐income countries in various health projects. However, there is a paucity of studies examining how nurses in low‐income countries experience working with nurses from such different backgrounds. Design This study is descriptive, explorative and qualitative. Methods The data were collected from 10 semi‐structured interviews in 2015 and were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The study was conducted with ward nurses in a rural hospital in Tanzania, a sub‐Saharan African country characterised as low‐income country. Findings The data analysis revealed two themes related to the local nurses’ experiences of working with visiting nurses from high‐income countries: (1) To do it our way and (2) Different expectations, benefits and limitations. Conclusion The findings strongly indicate that the local nurses expected foreign nurses to follow the local system and work under supervision. The local nurses appreciated opportunities to learn from working and sharing knowledge with foreign nurses, but simultaneously expressed that the gained knowledge should be adapted and implemented according to their local health system. Relevance to clinical practice The findings can inform nurses, humanitarian organisations, hospitals and universities working in international collaborations.