what is the difference between nursing center and hospital

suzanne4, RN · Jun 10, 2005

That is not a hospital but a long term care center. I would definitely stay away from that as a new foreign nurse to the US. You will not get the training that you need.

eperey · Jun 10, 2005

That is not a hospital but a long term care center. I would definitely stay away from that as a new foreign nurse to the US. You will not get the training that you need.

How about Kindred Hospital? It is a long term acute medical facility but it's being called Hospital?

suzanne4, RN · Jun 10, 2005

Kindred also does not give the type of orientation that you need as a foreign nurse, new to the US.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 10, 2005

Kindred also does not give the type of orientation that you need as a foreign nurse, new to the US.

You need a facility that is going to be able to offer much more in the way of their education department.

eperey · Jun 11, 2005

There are limited hospitals that that are willing to sponsor foreign nurses sometimes esp. if a nurse is particular to a certain area/state he/she wants to live or a foreign nurse don't have enough hospital experience in certain area that big hospital is looking for. I believe it will not be too bad to work with facilities like nursing homes or long term facility as a new foreign nurse starting a new life in USA. Whatever it is, nurses will still be nursing patients. Orientation/training of course is one of very important thing to consider as a new foreign nurse moving to a country with high quality and high standard nursing. However, I believe long term care facility still have to offer even if it will be limited. I think, workplace that is safe, where colleagues are not hard to deal, seniors that a new foreign nurse can rely on are also factors to consider. At the end of the day, nurse herself/himself know what makes her/him a fulfilled nurse. We always have a choice.:)

suzanne4, RN · Jun 11, 2005

In the US, an RN in an LTC is usually responsible for twenty patients. Sure, they have nursing assistants to help them, but they are the ones that are responsible. Working conditions are usually not wonderful. That is why they have a big problem with finding staff. To start off with that much responsibility in a new country is utterly insane. There are language difficulties at times, as well as just medicine is practiced differently.

There are hospitals that will employ foreign grads.

There is absolutely no reason for anyone to settle for anything less.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 11, 2005

Sorry if I was sounding harsh above, but there is absolutely no reason that any foreign nurse should sell themselves short because they were foreign born. If you pass the NCLEX exam, and can pass the English exams, there is no reason why you can't work where you please. Sure, you may not have as big of a variety as an American nurse and that is because of the time frame with immigration, nothing else. But you do not need to be limited to nursing homes and extended care facilities. I just don't agree with that.

eperey · Jun 11, 2005

I do not sell myself short or limit myself working in such facility. I am young and there's a lot more I can do. Of course, who would not wish to work in a hospital with a lot to offer. But let's face reality, not everyone or all foreign nurses have started work in a big hospital in USA nor all these people failed or were "utterly insane". Some of them might have rough times, others may have to leave the facility but others might stayed.:)

suzanne4, RN · Jun 11, 2005

Yes, when there were temporary work permits and only limited sponsorship, then a foreign nurse had no choice but to accept whatever was out there.

But that isn't the case anymore. All of you are now coming here with permanent residency status, and with such, are entitled to everything that we are. Don't sell yourself short. There is no reason at all for you to expect anything less.

joshu · Jun 12, 2005

I do not sell myself short or limit myself working in such facility. I am young and there's a lot more I can do. Of course, who would not wish to work in a hospital with a lot to offer. But let's face reality, not everyone or all foreign nurses have started work in a big hospital in USA nor all these people failed or were "utterly insane". Some of them might have rough times, others may have to leave the facility but others might stayed.:)

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