Filipino Nurses' Cultural Adjustment and Coping Strategies in Hospitals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: A Basis for a Human Resource Development Plan

Abstract

This study explored the cultural adjustment experiences and coping strategies of Filipino nurses working in hospitals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and used the findings as a basis for a human resource development plan. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed to capture the participants' lived experiences within the city's distinctive Islamic, multicultural, and high-demand healthcare environment. Ten Filipino nurses with at least one year of hospital experience in Makkah were purposively selected. Data were collected through validated semi-structured, in-depth interviews, supported by member checking and other trustworthiness procedures, and were analyzed thematically. The findings showed that cultural adjustment involved rigid gender boundaries and modesty norms, language and communication barriers, professional dislocation, homesickness, anxiety, and culture shock. Cultural differences also required nurses to realign therapeutic styles, manage diverse communication patterns within multidisciplinary teams, and reconcile Filipino values of harmony with hierarchical institutional policies. Participants coped through spiritual practices, Filipino peer networks, cultural learning, basic Arabic communication, and adaptive professional behavior. They recommended structured cultural orientation, medical Arabic training, preceptorship, cross-cultural workshops, mental health and wellness support, social and spiritual support, inclusive policies, and regular program evaluation. The study concludes that Filipino nurses demonstrate considerable adaptability and resilience, but successful adjustment and retention require culturally responsive organizational support. The proposed human resource development plan offers practical directions for strengthening communication, workforce well-being, culturally sensitive care, and professional integration in Makkah hospitals.