Internationally educated nurses (IENs) bring a wealth of skills and experience to the UK workforce. However, the question arises: at what point, if any, should we drop the title IEN? 

Much like a newly registered nurse loses the 'newly registered’ label after their preceptor period, is there an appropriate time to shed the 'internationally educated' designation? For some nurses, this title is a badge of pride and a key part of their identity. They worry that losing it might diminish their sense of community and recognition within the internationally educated nursing community. Additionally, there are exclusive opportunities such as bursaries, scholarships, and qualifications that often favour IENs. 

Conversely, some nurses are eager to move past this label, fearing it may hinder their career progression and affect their chances of obtaining senior roles or being seen as equally skilled as their UK-trained counterparts. This raises important questions: Are there better titles to use? Is a unique title necessary, or could they be referred to as 'newly registered nurses' like their UK-trained colleagues? Would this change promote equity and parity, or is it essential to retain the identity of overseas training? 

This discussion seeks to explore these questions and find a balanced approach that respects different perspectives.

The reading list for this debate is available here.