Advice sought for a successful transition

ceridwyn · Sep 20, 2010

Be yourself, stand up and say "'can you show me? not too familiar with that one"

Australians like people that are themselves and not showoffs this is true, they also get annoyed with nurses that do take action because of the shyness and do not ask and end up leaving everything to the next shift.

Just be yourself, we all have past experiences, so IF i do get into midwifery as a nurse I will know I will have experienced a hell of a lot more than some of the direct entry midwives.......going to have to keep a tight reign on my mouth on those occasions.

You will be fine, as the other nurses as professionals will welcome another person into their team (we are big on being team players here, does not also happen though at times) and welcome your experience as well as be happy to show you what you need to know. No, can only speak from country ICU, the RN is it, takes bloods, tests, looks after ventillators, everything and at times holds new residents hands (meaning,, tells them what needs to be done)

talaxandra · Sep 21, 2010

Hi Kate - congrats on your decision to move to marvellous Melbourne, not that I'm biased

There are many differences in health care practice, but you'll have plenty of support if you work in any of the major, public hospital ICUs. Some of these differences may seem (and even be) inferior to practices you're used to, while others will just be surprising. In my experience traveling (though not working) overseas, it's the things you don't expect to be different that really took me aback. Just try to avoid a whole lot of comparisons with the practices you're used to - regardless of whether staff come from another country, state, or even hospital in the same city, unfavourable comparisons starting with "At x we used to do y," will most often be met with "Well, you're here now!" After you've settled in a bit you can start discussing changes in practice, but be aware that often there are reasons why things are done the way they are.

Although generalisations and stereotypes certainly exist, for the most part people will make their assessments of you based on how you behave rather than where you're from. That said, there are certainly significant cultural differences between Australia and the US, and being aware of them early will help smooth your way.

Tall poppy syndrome is a facet of the Australian (and British) belief that one should be self-denigrating rather than self-promoting. In my limited experience, it's this impression of being 'up themselves' that causes an often hostile reaction to Americans overseas - it's fine to excell, but not to glory in excelling, and important to retain (and display) a sense of humility.

I hope this helps, and doesn't sound too off-putting or dictatorial. Best of luck with your transition - I hope you have a great experience :) I think the fact you've asked these questions is excellent!

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2010

I don't even know what tall poppy syndrome is, unfortunately.

I've worked with some Canadian nurses who have worked in the US and they are good nurses.

Don't ********* Aussies - we hate it. Just be yourself. In MY EXPERIENCE ONLY, because Australia was settled by English people, many come from a British background, and some of the English nurses can be very pompous and arrogant, but that is not the Aussie way. Just get in there and do the hard slog and you'll be right. Don't stand around waiting for directions - if something needs doing, just do it. Many Aussies are not pompous, just act themselves, have no airs and graces. Yes you will see some of the corporate people in their office dress, but many Aussies on real hot days (45oC+) all wear their thongs, shorts, t-shirts and like to relax. Aussie soldiers during the first world war were termed 'larrakins', cos the British thought they were lazy, but we have a calmer, laid back attitude to life whilst getting the job done. I don't know many lazy Aussies but there are exceptions, especially in nursing. No point getting upset about things too much; just learn to say 'no worries' to patients who are whingeing and get on with the job. Oh and don't come here and whinge about the hot weather like the poms do! They whinge about the bush, the hot weather, the massive travelling distances, etc, and I always say if you don't like it you are free to go back to cold, wet, horrible England! We are not stopping you! This is a hot, hot, driest country with the driest state in the world so expect to be uncomfortable. All our shopping centres etc, are air-conditioned. Don't ever get a car or accommodation without air-con - unless you are up north, cos it won't work due to humidity.

I think it's great you are coming here! You will be warmly welcomed by people over east - Adelaide is a bit stuffy, but Melbourne and Sydney people are very open. You'll be right - no worries!

FranniEN · Sep 27, 2010

I worked with a lovely nurse from Texas when I was student. I know she was from Texas because every single patient we worked with asked where she was from. So expect questions, like "What made you want to move to Australia?", all the time

pedicurn, LPN, RN · Sep 27, 2010

We love US nurses .... thanks for coming down here :)

In my experience, US nurses are; friendly, competent, professional and polite.

Welcome

KJStarling · Sep 27, 2010

Thank you everyone for the great advice! I am so grateful! Let me see if I’ve got this right:

Work hard, but don't show off.

Ask questions and 'fess up when I'm not sure how to do something

Don't complain about the heat!

Don't take myself too seriously

Expect people to want to know where I've come from

BTW my friend swears that "POHM" stands for "prisoner of her Majesty" I think he is teasing me.... Isn't it really short for "pompous?"

pedicurn, LPN, RN · Sep 27, 2010

Thank you everyone for the great advice! I am so grateful! Let me see if I've got this right:
Work hard, but don't show off.
Ask questions and 'fess up when I'm not sure how to do something
Don't complain about the heat!
Don't take myself too seriously
Expect people to want to know where I've come from
BTW my friend swears that "POHM" stands for "prisoner of her Majesty" I think he is teasing me.... Isn't it really short for "pompous?"

POM stands for 'Prisoners of mother England'. It is directed at British people ....often in jest and no offense intended.

Sometimes it is used in a derogatory sense .... directed at whiny Brits who complain a lot.

You wont have to worry about being called a POM ....LOL

Want to say .... cost of living is quite high here ...however a good quality of life can still be had.

KJStarling · Sep 27, 2010

Hmmm... I expect I'll be called a "Yank" which suits me fine... Since I'm from New York, originally. That makes me think of something else, though. When my friend says "Pommy" it's usually followed by a bad word... So what discriptors can I expect to follow Yank?

Did you know that Americans in the southern US states find being called a "Yankee" really offensive? I shocked my whole unit by telling them the rest of the world considers them yankees, and one woman told me I needed my mouth washed out!

pedicurn, LPN, RN · Sep 28, 2010

Hmmm... I expect I'll be called a "Yank" which suits me fine... Since I'm from New York, originally. That makes me think of something else, though. When my friend says "Pommy" it's usually followed by a bad word... So what discriptors can I expect to follow Yank?
Did you know that Americans in the southern US states find being called a "Yankee" really offensive? I shocked my whole unit by telling them the rest of the world considers them yankees, and one woman told me I needed my mouth washed out!

We love Yanks ...yes we do tend to call all Americans 'Yanks' :)

Unfortunately, there are some people here who are still angry with George Bush, who blame all Americans for the war. These people are really narrow-minded ...I will apologize in advance for these people.

KJStarling · Sep 28, 2010

Hey Pedi,

No need to apologize, I expect that Americans have a certain reputation... That's why I asked my original question!

Americans adore Australians, but they don't really know much about your country, except for what they've seen in movies... Lame, I know...

ANnot4me · Sep 28, 2010

Hi KJ--

I am an American myself who moved to NZ years ago. I have been to Australia a few times and lived/worked there for some time. Melbourne is a great city: very cosmopolitan and tons of things to do. You should just be yourself. Australians and Americans are way more similar than you would think (way more so than Americans and Kiwis). I think your biggest hurdles will be things you won't even anticipate like what does a mailbox look like (is it even called a mailbox), getting used to not having quarters (no 25 c coins), calling "bills" "notes" and using expressions or making references to American cultural things people know nothing about (and vice versa) and a million other things. I have learned not to use certain words because they almost invariably get me mocked -- "fanny", "garbage", "trunk" or "thongs" for instance, but "thong" is OK in Australia.

Work will be pretty much the same with the exception of drugs and as you said the ventilators and processes like double checking drugs. I worked in an ED in Queensland and we double check all IV drugs. I would advise you not to ask why too much. Honestly, people don't always know why and they are not so focused on "what if I get sued." Evidence-based practice is bigger in Australia than it is here in NZ, but I am not sure that knowing the rationale for why you wrap a wash cloth around your hand (yes, I do know) will do you any good. I came here and worked in ICU at first and could not help ask why they fed people flat or why the doctors charted turns (what time, what side and how long -- no joke). Australia is way more similar to the US, but it will be different and you will have to hold your tongue (I promise). People will do and say things that will shock you, but you will not be home. I would strongly suggest you look into the situation with the aboriginal people as it may shock you if you don't know already. I would also advise that you only refer to aboriginal people as "aboriginal" and not use any variants you may hear until you know the lay of the land. It is very similar to some of the issues with Native Americans, but much much more recent history.

You will be culture shocked beyond what you think. Once the novelty wears off, you will be annoyed by things you take for granted now. Also, I had no idea how big Australia was before I spent some time driving around the country. Most of the people are around the edges and you can drive for hours and hours and see nothing and nobody in the middle bits. You can also meet some very different people if you venture out into the wop-wops. Also read up on the things that can kill you. I am not sure what they are in Melbourne, but they are there.

Another thing I never anticipated was the language issue; Strine is not too bad, but there are tons of immigrants from the UK and Ireland and some of the accents keep you guessing (if you get a Kiwi with a strong accent it can be pretty hopeless too). I would not advise that you use any of the slang down here until you are 100% sure you know the exact nuance. I have made the mistake of offending people that way. Also, I would not use the word Pom as it does offend people (they may not say so or they may not mind a friend using the word, but you will also be an outsider). Kiwis call me a Yank, but my friends from the UK don't and I have been quietly told by some of my friends they don't really like it. You will learn to distinguish the different tones in which the words are used (there are "Yanks" and there are "Yanks."

Australians are great fun and you can have a good joke with them. I find them way more relaxed than Kiwis. If they like you they like you and if they don't they don't (for the most part). They also say what they mean and ask for what they want unlike some from the UK and NZ. You may have to learn to read between the lines a bit as people may not always ask direct questions.

Anyway, I have just tried to share my experiences as an immigrant. I have tried to honestly talk about my experience and I was not trying to be offensive or stereotype. In my experience it was great fun being an immigrant until it wasn't fun anymore. Spending days trying to find cheesecloth or trying figure out what something is called in Australian will get old when you are tired. The good thing is they spell more like us in Australia than they do in the UK or NZ.

Melbourne also has great Greek and Italian food (as well as others) that we don't have over here.

Best of luck.