USA RN to Melbourne!!!

talaxandra · Jun 22, 2011

nursegirl62 - I wasn't offended by your post; be aware, though, that for the most part Australians are sensitive to criticism on the topic of racism, accurate though it often is, so it's easy to hit a nerve without realising it.

I also think that many people think, on some level, that being unequal with a dominant culture doesn't count as being -ist, whether that dominance is religious, cultural, racial/ethnic or gendered. So Christians, Americans, whites and men are seen as fairer game than minorities. That's difficult if you happen to be a member of any (or all) of these groups.

Australia looks in many ways similar to the US, particularly as so much of our popular culture is enfolded with US popular culture. Our cultural roots, though, are British, and that means different social norms. two of my siblings and their Aussie spouses live in the US and have had to be upfront and assertive about their skills and abilities in a way both of them, particularly my brother, have found difficult and confronting. They've all expressed concern that the attitude they're developing to advance in the US will be viewed poorly when they eventually move back home.

talaxandra · Jun 22, 2011

neeke - my hospital has a non-mandatory uniform. If you wear it the cost of purchase is tax-deductable, and laundry costs are deductable regardless. Scrubs are generally only worn in ED, ICU and theatre.

ETA: our uniform includes pants and skirt, so you can choose :) I don't know if the guys get the same choice...

K+MgSO4, BSN · Jun 23, 2011

ETA: our uniform includes pants and skirt, so you can choose :) I don't know if the guys get the same choice...

:yeah: :lol2: :yeah: :lol2: :coollook:

Mcadamia · Jun 26, 2011

Have I offended you? I only expressed my experiences here, which were asked for by another nurse coming from the USA. I don't ever recall implying or stating the the USA is better than anywhere.
As for the car , yep happened right at the St. Kilda Police station and no doubt the Victoria Police have much more important things to do than look for stolen cars. But to find out that I'm not entitled to calling on the police for help well that was a news for me and never was listed on my work visa.

The police issue should NOT have happened! If you EVER get a reply like that again ask for the constable's name and report them!

But that aside - I gather from your reply that you felt I was maligning the depth of the knowledge of the USA RN - not so! But I truly doubt that any American nurse in America would be expected to be not only the ONLY health care personnel for hundreds of Kilometres but also the ambulance officer, social worker and all around go to person. The nurse in a place like Bedourie HAS to wear multiple hats and basically be whatever is required

SarahRN1987 · Jul 1, 2011

In response to the posts regarding Australians as anti-American, I have found that to not be true. I graduated with my ADN in 2009, worked full-time on a home care case, and moved to Australia in 2010. I had no acute care experience, but wanted to get into the hospital system here, and ended up joining an agency because I couldn't get hired by any hospitals with my lack of experience. The first few months were extremely difficult. I was doing new tasks that I had never done before, getting used to new terminology and medication names, etc. But I found the nurses that I worked with to be very understanding, patient, and helpful. Of course there is always one or two people who are the exceptions and just don't have time for you, but you get that anywhere. I have found though that nurses here seem to be trained much better than nurses in the US - at least the ones from my nursing school anyway! lol So anyway, not discounting anyone else's experiences and definitely not saying that everyone here loves Americans, but I have not encountered anyone who really set me off in these 5 months that I have been nursing here. I've also lived here for over a year now and most people think it's actually really interesting that I have moved here, and I wish I had a dollar for every time someone told me they liked my accent haha. So anyway, there's my two cents on the matter! :twocents:

-Sarah

resilientnurse · Jul 29, 2011

The issue of racism was brought up on this thread and I would like to some additional insight. I am a Black American nurse considering a job position in Australia. I have already had some negative experiences working as a nurse abroad and am cautioned by the potentiality of this. Any advice? Thank you.

ceridwyn · Jul 29, 2011

Australia is a multicultural country. Most of the rest of the world except original people from the UK have some sort of skin colour. I live in Melbourne, that has indigenous, sudanese, people from zimbawe? people from india, pakistan, maldives tahiti, south Americain and as a white skinned Australian often is in minority....do you think you will stand out?

One ward I worked on recently, I was the only citizen born here! of 8 nurses of all skin colours, 1 American and we all worked really well as a team on a busy ward.

We love American nurses, they say things so well and loud......

Just watch what you say though,

If you start comparing the United states to Australia, and telling others how much better it is 'back home and how backward Australia is and say words like, how quaint and how darling...... you will get éventually''have someone will bite back, skin colour will have nothing to do with it.

Welcome and enjoy yourself! put another shrimp on the barby/ie

talaxandra · Jul 30, 2011

Hi resilient :)

Australians tend to think of ourselves as egalitarian and accepting, and we're certainly a multicultural lot, but the only people who think there's no racism here are white (and that certainly doesn't exempt anyone - as we all know, prejudice can fly in any and every direction).

For the most part colleagues will be fine and prejudice will not be overt, but there are feral patients and unpleasant people everywhere. Your odds are better in the most multicultural cities (eg Melbourne, Sydney), but there are lovely people everywhere, too.

The Australian sense of humour can be sarcastic and direct, and a lot of the cultural baggage is different, which can cause offence when none was meant. For the most part what staff will care about is how well you do your job, and how well yiou fit in to the ward culture. Good luck :)

Aussie-R.N. · Jul 30, 2011

Up here in QLD we employ 'pre-reg' AINs. They have a little bit of a scope of practice but not much past vital signs & pressure area care. Also in QLD nurses venipuncture is not included in under-graduate education so is a post-reg course.

I first worked as new grad at Snt Vincents & the Mercy Private hospitals & totally loved it. Melbourne is a great place to live and work. Enjoy & welcome to Oz.

nursegirl62 · Jul 31, 2011

Hi resilient :)
The Australian sense of humour can be sarcastic and direct, and a lot of the cultural baggage is different, which can cause offence when none was meant. For the most part what staff will care about is how well you do your job, and how well yiou fit in to the ward culture. Good luck :)

Yes, even after several years I struggle at times with the line between humor and racism. Just the other night a work ..one of the Cardiologists shouts out and points of me in front of patients and staff..."YOU AMERICANS ARE RUINING THE WORLD" heads were turning at me in response. I was speechless . He went on to say it because of the failure of senate/house to pass the legislation that if the USA went into default . If default happened his investments would crumble and the new house he was building would be in jeopardy with the bank loan.

Now this doc and I have a great working relationship, and so based on that I was reasonably sure he wasn't meaning this in a cruel way or directed at me personally. I just kept my mouth shut, and let him and others have their laughs.

I NEVER make reference to life better in USA (as if! ) or that skills, education or anything is better . NO COMPARISIONS. I've seen nurse's from USA, Holland, UK ...make that mistake. I never say I miss my family or friends or any foods/holidays that might be associated with the USA....heck outside of this forum I never say the words...United States, USA, America, American , ect....I only offer that if asked where I'm from.

Australia is a great place to live and work and that outweighs everything else for me . I still am amazed at how much safer it is here! Some Americans will flourish here , others will sink and be miserable. Sure that applies to all who have came here . I will openly say this...just because your children have dark skin it will NOT be assumed they are gang bangers, packing a gun , and they won't be exposed to that lifestyle here either. Your children will have the SAME great opportunities here that all children in Australia have. I think Australia really embraces multicultural , quality education, and opportunities here for those who want it and except the Australian way of living. If their young enough ...heck they will acquire the cool Aussie accent too!

talaxandra · Jul 31, 2011

If we worked together I might ask you what you think the Republicans are trying to achieve, because I assume you've got a greater insight than I into US party politics, but I'd be pretty uncomfortable with "You American's are ruining the world" and I don't think you've personally got any power over the global economy!

I've just come back from a quick trip to WA and already miss Baby Ruth bars, so feel free to whinge about foods from home to me

64t0 · Aug 2, 2011

Up here in QLD we employ 'pre-reg' AINs. They have a little bit of a scope of practice but not much past vital signs & pressure area care. Also in QLD nurses venipuncture is not included in under-graduate education so is a post-reg course.
I first worked as new grad at Snt Vincents & the Mercy Private hospitals & totally loved it. Melbourne is a great place to live and work. Enjoy & welcome to Oz.

Hello, do you employ nurses without much work experience? If not, would it be possible?