SIENNA
Society of Internationally Educated Nurses and Nursing Allies
SIENNA – Health Systems
Visionary Partnership Framework
The SIENNA – Health System Visionary Partnership Framework is a collaborative model that brings mentorship, advocacy, and leadership development directly into healthcare systems—ensuring that internationally educated nurses are supported where they practice and empowered to lead where they serve.
This framework establishes a visionary strategic partnership between SIENNA and healthcare systems, creating a symbiotic model that strengthens workforce integration, professional belonging, and leadership development for internationally educated nurses (IENs).
Through this partnership, SIENNA’s support infrastructure becomes embedded within healthcare institutions, allowing internationally educated nurses to access mentorship, advocacy, leadership development, and professional community within the organizations where they practice.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
SIENNA goes where the IENs are.
Internationally Educated Nurses are essential contributors to the global healthcare workforce. Yet many enter new healthcare environments without a structured ecosystem of mentorship, advocacy, and professional belonging.
Through strategic partnerships with healthcare systems, SIENNA fulfills its mission by bringing its support infrastructure directly into the organizations where internationally educated nurses live, work, and serve.
This approach establishes a symbiotic partnership in which both SIENNA and healthcare systems mutually strengthen one another. Through this partnership:
SIENNA
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Reaches internationally educated nurses within the organizations that employ them
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Provides mentorship, advocacy, leadership development, and professional community
Health Systems
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Demonstrate leadership in recognizing and elevating global nursing talent
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Strengthen workforce engagement and belonging among internationally educated nurses
PROOF OF CONCEPT
1st Internationally Educated Nurses Global Conference
Orlando, Florida
The strength of the SIENNA–Health System Visionary Partnership Framework was demonstrated through the 1st IEN Global Conference, held in November 2025 in Orlando, Florida, and hosted by Orlando Health as the Inaugural Visionary Partner.
This historic gathering brought together internationally educated nurses from around the world to celebrate their journeys, strengthen professional belonging, and foster leadership within the global nursing workforce.
Key highlights included:
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Nurses representing more than 20 countries worldwide
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A global convening focused on leadership, belonging, and global nursing integration
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The launch of IEN Stories on Stage, a platform amplifying the voices and lived experiences of internationally educated nurses
Through its partnership with SIENNA, Orlando Health demonstrated the impact of institutional leadership in supporting internationally educated nurses and advancing global nursing collaboration.
This collaboration provided a powerful example of how healthcare systems and professional organizations can work together to strengthen workforce engagement, professional belonging, and leadership development among internationally educated nurses.
Visionary Health Systems Partner Model
Healthcare systems that partner with SIENNA as Visionary Partners demonstrate institutional leadership in advancing the integration and professional empowerment of internationally educated nurses.
Visionary Partners provide strategic and institutional support that enables global nursing convenings and professional engagement.
Examples of institutional support may include:
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Conference venue support (in-kind contribution)
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Audiovisual and technical infrastructure
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Hospital staff engagement (ushers and on-site event support)
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Welcome and hospitality coordination
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Tables and exhibitor spaces for sponsors and partners
Through these contributions, health systems help create platforms where internationally educated nurses can connect, share their stories, build professional community, and develop leadership capacity.
The SIENNA Health Systems Visionary Strategic Partnership Framework operates through three interconnected components.
1 / Health Systems Visionary Partnerships
Strategic collaboration with healthcare organizations committed to strengthening workforce integration and supporting the professional advancement of internationally educated nurses.
2 / SIENNA Global IEN Support & Resource Network (IENSR)
The SIENNA Global IEN Support & Resource Network (IENSR) functions as the operational backbone of the framework.
Through IENSR, internationally educated nurses gain access to:
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mentorship
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leadership development
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advocacy support
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professional networking
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community engagement opportunities
This network ensures that internationally educated nurses receive ongoing professional support throughout their careers, not only during their initial transition into a new healthcare system.
3 / Global Professional Platforms
These platforms elevate the voices and experiences of internationally educated nurses and strengthen professional connections across healthcare systems worldwide.
They include:
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SIENNA Global Conference
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IEN Stories on Stage
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global leadership initiatives
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professional networking opportunities
These initiatives create spaces where internationally educated nurses can share their journeys, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their sense of professional belonging.
Visionary Partnership
Core Pillars of the SIENNA–Health System Partnership Model
PILLAR 1
Bringing SIENNA to Where Internationally Educated Nurses Are
This pillar operationalizes SIENNA’s central philosophy:
“SIENNA goes where the IENs are.”
By partnering with healthcare systems, SIENNA ensures that internationally educated nurses know that a professional organization exists to support them throughout their professional journey.
SIENNA provides:
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Professional mentorship and guidance
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Advocacy for internationally educated nurses
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Leadership development opportunities
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Platforms for amplifying the voices and lived experiences of IENs
This pillar bridges the gap between professional advocacy and the clinical environments where internationally educated nurses practice every day.
PILLAR 2
Institutional Leadership in Supporting Internationally Educated Nurses
Health systems that partner with SIENNA position themselves as visionary institutions that recognize the value of globally trained nurses.
This collaboration demonstrates commitment to:
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workforce diversity and inclusion
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professional equity
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ethical workforce integration
As SIENNA’s network expands globally, partner health systems gain visibility across the international nursing community, strengthening their reputation as employers of choice for internationally educated nurses.
PILLAR 3
Workforce Integration, Engagement, and Retention
Transitioning into a new healthcare system can be professionally and culturally complex for internationally educated nurses.
Through the SIENNA partnership, healthcare organizations benefit from a structured ecosystem that supports professional integration and belonging.
The framework promotes:
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stronger engagement among internationally educated nurses
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peer support networks and professional connection
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increased confidence navigating new healthcare systems
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improved workforce retention
When internationally educated nurses feel supported and valued, organizations benefit from a more stable, engaged, and empowered nursing workforce.
PILLAR 4
Access to the SIENNA Ambassador Network
The SIENNA Ambassador Program connects internationally educated nurses within partner health systems to mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy resources.
Ambassadors gain access to:
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mentorship networks with experienced IEN leaders
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leadership development opportunities
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advocacy expertise
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community engagement initiatives promoting belonging and professional growth
This structure empowers internationally educated nurses to become leaders, mentors, and advocates within their organizations.
PILLAR 5
Global Visibility and Professional Development
Health systems partnering with SIENNA gain recognition within a growing international network of nurses and healthcare leaders.
Partner organizations are positioned as:
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champions of internationally educated nurses
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leaders in ethical workforce development
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institutions committed to diversity, inclusion, and professional equity
Each partner health system receives ten (10) complimentary tickets to attend the SIENNA Global Conference, allowing nurses to:
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participate in IEN Stories on Stage
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connect with internationally educated nurses from around the globe
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engage in professional networking and leadership dialogue
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celebrate the journeys and contributions of immigrant nurses
These experiences foster professional pride, leadership development, and community belonging.
A Model for the Future of Global Nursing Collaboration
The SIENNA–Health System Visionary Partnership Framework represents more than collaboration—it represents a movement to elevate internationally educated nurses across healthcare systems worldwide.
Through this alliance:
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SIENNA goes where the IENs are, bringing mentorship, advocacy, and community directly into healthcare institutions.
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Health systems demonstrate leadership in recognizing and elevating the contributions of globally trained nurses.
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Internationally educated nurses gain a professional home where their voices, stories, and leadership are valued.
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Together, SIENNA and its health system partners are building a future where internationally educated nurses are not only welcomed—but recognized, empowered, and elevated as leaders in the global nursing workforce.