The government's Vision 2030 is coming along, and with it more and more Saudi nurses are joining the King Faisal Specialist Hospital. Here is my perspective from CSICU.

1) Where are the new graduates from? Are they Saudi or other ethnic groups who have lived in Saudi Arabia and attended nursing school there?

The new graduates that I have encountered are from Saudi Arabia. They have a huge number of students doing their placements, from all around the Kingdom, but I think they are hired to non specialised areas. In my unit, we don't have any new graduates, only nurses with at least two years of experience.

2) Are the new graduates receptive to mentoring?

I have only the experience of working with 4th year nursing students, and most of them are very receptive, like the ones at home. They seem to have had good training, and good experience while doing placements with international and local nurses. The culture is different here, as you well know, and praying is a very important part of their day, so it is required to be aware of that, allow some time for it, and be very respectful. Most of the students are sensible, but on a couple of occasions my students have asked to leave for prayer time in the middle of the patient's care.

3) In your experience, do they have a solid education?

Their education is good, my Saudi colleagues are very knowledgeable. Also, the teaching that I have had as a Staff Nurse at the KFSH during this first year is up to a good standard, they work hard to have the best team possible.

For more information

See the comments of a Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist about mentoring new graduate Saudi nurses.