SIENNA: The First Global Conference
Under the banner of Our Shared Experience, I wish to highlight a significant event that occurred last November. I had the privilege of participating in the inaugural meeting of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses in North America (SIENNA) and Nursing Allies. The first global conference, titled ‘Celebrating Voices,’ was held at the Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, Florida. The conference comprised approximately 135 participants from around the world. The audience included nursing leaders, dignitaries, key figures from healthcare organizations, and internationally educated nurses (IENs). Attendees received commendations from Dr. Franklin Shaffer, former President and Chief Executive Officer of CGFNS International, Inc., a renowned organization specializing in credential evaluation and verification that supports nurses and healthcare institutions. The event was universally regarded by attendees and witnesses as a success.
I was honored to attend as an esteemed guest and considered this event extraordinary. I was swept into deep reflection, realizing that a unified voice, a global movement, and a rising force have emerged. As the discussion about immigration in the United States (U.S.) has intensified, IENs from various backgrounds—educated abroad and working outside their native countries—gathered in sunny Orlando. They came together to share their viewpoints, defining their purpose and the main goal of their work.
Significant challenges often encountered by IENs include credentialing, licensure, registration, and immigration processes that may span several years. The process of achieving full integration upon arrival can be particularly difficult due to language barriers, the potential for rejection by colleagues, and the inability to express feelings, which may lead to self-doubt about their decision to leave their home countries. Such circumstances may evoke feelings of self-blame, shame, and discouragement, potentially resulting in the loss of professional identity among nurses. As a registered nurse trained in Ontario, Canada, I relocated to the United States several years ago and experienced the emotional challenges of nursing credentialing and immigration.
While being a new and foreign nurse presents certain challenges, I possess the advantage of residing within a six-hour drive across the U.S./Canada border, enabling me to visit family as needed. It was refreshing to see so many nurses, proudly dressed in their national attire, share their histories and perspectives through heartfelt, emotional tributes that elucidated the purpose and primary aims of their professional endeavors. The audience observed a true transformation and a valuable lesson: These nurses are committed to achieving success and seek to share their experiences, including their expectations as international nurses living and working abroad. They refused to allow negative life experiences define them. Instead, they utilized these moments to foster unity and reinvent themselves as a resilient force, all while maintaining their dignity.
This historic event celebrated these accomplishments and offered a platform for nurses at all levels to share their experiences. As nursing professionals, IENs differ from conventional hospital traveling nurses or North American nurses who have studied abroad and returned to their home countries to advance their careers. This community of nurses chose to establish their professional future in our more affluent, industrialized nations, such as the United States and Canada, in pursuit of improved living conditions and professional opportunities. While migrating for improved conditions and financial stability may seem straightforward, panelists’ stories reveal the realities IENs face.
Some of the participants’ stories included accounts of fleeing humanitarian crises such as poverty and persecution; Others sacrificed greatly by leaving behind their homes and close family members, sometimes including a newborn or elderly parents, to travel to a new land for work. Many volunteered as panelists and presenters, openly recounting their personal and professional journeys. Many of the nurses expressed their relief and joy at the opportunity to open up and share the struggles and grief they have experienced through this journey from home to a new country and embracing a new way of practicing nursing. Healing from the trauma the experience brought and releasing the pain was felt through the podium presentations that day. That is why this event was a symbol of liberation for these nurses. It was a cry of solidarity and self-recognition, adding voice to a just and fair desire to be seen and heard for one’s real accomplishments.
The True Experience
Experiencing a side of nursing where nurses can genuinely be themselves and voice their authentic perspectives was both inspiring and invigorating for me. I felt honored to share my story and connect with others, including Farah Laurent, an online nursing influencer, educator, and entrepreneur committed to improving nurses’ financial literacy through her company. The focus on mutual respect for everyone to openly share their truths without fear, bias, or restrictions, thereby allowing humanity to flourish
At SIENNA’s table, nurses from around the world who had migrated in search of a better life were encouraged to step forward and share their stories with acceptance and dignity. Twelve financial sponsors have committed support to this initial effort. I met with Mukul Bakhshi, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at The Evaluation Company (TEC), a credentialing evaluation firm. He noted that the event was highly impactful, offering crucial information, excellent networking, and a platform to improve services for nurses and healthcare providers.
This conference illustrates how leadership and teamwork have fostered a vibrant and influential nursing society. SIENNA, comprising approximately 300 IENs from diverse countries, is a rising collective voice promoting visibility, collaboration, and inclusivity while highlighting excellence. Its aim is to amplify the voices and contributions of nurses educated abroad. This aligns with the ambitious visions of leaders who envisioned superior achievements and took action to ensure equal opportunities for all.
The Leaders and Visionaries
This conference uniquely combined compassion and excellence, serving as a stepping stone and celebrating the highlights of each nurse participant and more. Sharon Jackson, MSN, RN, the Chair of Education and Convention, and a Fellow of the Society of Internationally Educated Nurses (FSIEN), played a crucial role in organizing the event. The SIENNA leaders aimed to create a groundbreaking series of presentations, similar to TED talks, where everyone’s stories, journeys, and experiences could take center stage. SIENNA signifies a movement for nurses who have long felt unseen and unheard by society; therefore, the conference offered an opportunity to present all accomplishments. Ms. Jackson credits Dr. Jasper Tolarba, DNP, RN, founder and former president, as the visionary behind SIENNA’s formation. Dr. Tolarba, a distinguished international nursing scholar and philosopher, acknowledges the importance of IENs. He recalled that the inspiration for SIENNA arose during a hike up Mount Nebo in Jordan, where Dr. Tolarba spent time as a Fulbright scholar.
This reflective experience contributed to the development of SIENNA. Dr. Tolarba is the former Director of CGFNS (now TruMerit) international nurse credentialing services and is an IEN from the Philippines. He has an extensive understanding of the challenges faced by IENs. This knowledge motivated him to create SIENNA to address these challenges and reduce barriers to migration and integration within host nations. Miss Jackson and Dr. Tolarba agree that IENs frequently encounter immediate difficulties when adjusting to new environments, including cultural differences, language obstacles, discrimination, and many other challenges. These challenges can lead to feelings of isolation and psychological stress. Conference leaders emphasized that these barriers were substantial and may be overwhelming, potentially resulting in trauma and despair with serious consequences.
Advocacy for IENs
The event highlighted the need to create a place where IENs can openly share their experiences without fear of judgment and access tailored resources that address their specific needs. SIENNA reflects humane values, acknowledges the vital contributions of foreign nurses, and highlights their skills and talents. It encourages them to express their truths, share their stories, and actively participate in shaping the global nursing legacy. The potential of IENs is immense. Their invaluable contributions are now widely acknowledged, as they stand alongside their peers across North America, forming the core of major hospitals and healthcare facilities.
As a result, SIENNA warmly invites both nursing and non-nursing communities to unite in supporting and recognizing all nurses. This diverse group brings a wealth of experience and expertise, substantially enriching nursing practice and patient care. As SIENNA’s current president and playing a strategic role himself, Dr. Paul Biluan, DNP, APRN, stated, “This is the result of great teamwork, and it is essential to mention that all this work would not have been possible without the unwavering support and dedication of the members of our Board of Directors. For this, we are deeply grateful.” The SIENNA board of directors expressed gratitude to everyone who participated in this first annual conference sequence and encouraged all IENs to join the society.
SIENNA’s Future
SIENNA explicitly establishes a new culture, a tone that emphasizes and celebrates the influence of IENs in North America, underlining the importance of promoting this message. It marks the commencement of an era in which society openly acknowledges the significance of IENs within the North American healthcare sector, highlighting the necessity for widespread dissemination of this recognition. As Miss Jackson stated, “SIENNA is a dynamic platform that redefines the narrative by encouraging IENs worldwide to embrace their identity and share their remarkable experiences without bias.”
As an advocate for all nurses, a member of the global nursing community, I am currently witnessing the immigration climate in the U.S., and this led me to believe that supporting IENs in their pursuit of improved circumstances through SIENNA is of considerable significance. The society was established to address the needs of nurses who have migrated from their countries of origin and have distinguished themselves through compassion, perseverance, exemplary sacrifices, and a commitment to service. I regard this initiative as an exciting opportunity that showcases the exceptional contributions of IENs and provides a platform for every internationally educated nurse to share their stories.
In conclusion, the substantial contributions of our IENs are undeniable, and the most authentic way to narrate their experiences is through their own voices. For more information, readers may wish to visit the SIENNA website: https://www.siennanursingsociety.org/
Enna Lamarre-Theodore, DNP, RN, PMH-BC
Column Editor