Gambian nurses practicing in the U.S. face challenges including credentialing delays, cultural adaptation, language barriers, and underrepresentation—despite being highly skilled and motivated.Here’s a detailed breakdown of the most significant issues:

🧾 1. Licensure and Credentialing Barriers- Verification of Gambian nursing education through agencies like CGFNS can be slow and complex, especially if transcripts or institutional records are difficult to obtain.- Nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, which requires familiarity with U.S. clinical protocols and terminology—often different from Gambian training models.- VisaScreen certification is mandatory for foreign-trained nurses, adding another layer of cost and time.

🗣️ 2. Language and Communication Challenges- While English is widely spoken in Gambia, medical English and U.S. clinical communication styles (including slang, acronyms, and patient-centered dialogue) can be difficult to master.- Accent bias may affect patient trust and workplace dynamics, even when nurses are fully competent.

🌍 3. Cultural and Professional Adaptation- Gambian nurses often come from resource-limited, hierarchical healthcare systems, and must adjust to the technology-driven, interdisciplinary U.S. model.- Differences in nurse autonomy, documentation standards, and patient advocacy norms can be disorienting.

💔 4. Emotional and Social Strain- Migration stress includes separation from family, cultural dislocation, and pressure to remit income back home.- Gambian nurses may experience identity conflict, balancing traditional values with American workplace expectations.

🚧 5. Discrimination and Underrepresentation- Gambian nurses may face racial and ethnic bias, especially in regions with limited African representation in healthcare.- Few Gambian mentors or leaders exist in U.S. nursing, making it harder for newcomers to find culturally attuned guidance.

🤝 6. Limited Institutional Support- Orientation programs vary: some hospitals offer robust onboarding, while others leave internationally educated nurses (IENs) to “sink or swim.”- Cultural competence training for U.S. staff is often lacking, which can lead to misunderstandings and workplace tension.These challenges mirror those faced by many internationally educated nurses, but Gambian professionals often face additional hurdles due to limited diaspora infrastructure and visibility in U.S. healthcare systems.