foreign nursing grad struggling???

[hopingtobeanRNsoon]

i am a foreign nursing grad, from the philippines, graduated 2008, took my boards in 2009 and passed obviously. i worked as a cna in a medical acute care floor while waiting for my papers to be evaluated and while reviewing and it helped me so much for studying. i watched the nurses and saw many things that were very foreign to me that i just read about in my kaplan review books. it really helps when u see the actual thing than just read about it or just lectured on. anyway i got hired about 2 months ago at a facility who said they have a "respiratory" side. during the interview they asked if i was comfortable dealing with patients on trachs. i said definitely because i was around patients with trachs and ventilators while i was working as a cna and i know how to handle them. i thought the new facility i got hired in was almost the same floor or even better than my past medical acute care floor job as a cna but it is not. instead its more like LTC trying hard to be an acute care. i work the evening shift and i get the most 15 patients. i do 2 med passes, do treatments and paperwork, isnt that long term care stuff? i pick up a couple of other things too like doing the IV's blood draws, some orders, calling the doctor, (im a young girl and i have a low voice and im so shy sometimes), blood sugars, doing admissions, skin checks etc. some of my co workers are nice like they would say im doing okay but some i feel talk behind my back, or say things, the pay isnt so bad (25+ and shift differential) but i have a BSN and people are so amazed by that but i say i am a foreign grad and no nursing experience even from the phil...should i look for another job? for a real hospital experience? i was thinking of saving up more and enroll in a refresher course before i step into the hospital business....? please help

[elppaym, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

If its not what you want, then Yes, look for another job. When you go to the interviews ask what type of orientation program they have, how long, and classes, etc. Even ask to shadow a nurse on a shift for the floor you are interviewing on. You need to find the right fit where you can be happy about doing the work. Don't settle for a position that you are not happy in, diba?

[anniputski]

sounds like you landed yourself a job in a subacute facility. It still isn't considered "acute care," unfortunately... I was in the same position as you. I worked in subacute for 5 months and tried my luck in a hospital. I don't think you'll need a refresher course... just get yourself into one of the new grad positions and you'll be fine. They'll train you well before allowing you to be on your own.

All it takes is a little confidence. Guts! Us foreign grads often don't have that... we feel a bit inferior. Here are a few tips I've read that should help you. They're very true...

http://www.ehow.com/how_6034386_succeed-foreign-nurse.html

Best of luck! I've been working in a hospital for over 3 years now. The last 6 months in ICU.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

So... you're employed as an RN.. on what visa?

[NurseMaedz05]

@hopingtobeanRNsoon:

Did you find your job yet?? I am in the same situation as you. I'm a Filipino nurse who wish to work here. I'm holding a j1 visa (cultural exchange visa), and also a California RN license. Right now I am looking for a hospital or other institutions or agency who can sponsor me. But so far wala pa akong makitang hospital na mag sponsor sa akin, and my visa will expired on December this year na rin...I'm so stress and helpless na tlaga! I've been doing this since May pa as soon as I got my license. I have talk to several hospitals already and all end up sayign the same lines,...(I'm sorry where not sponsoring visa right now)

Would you be kind enough to give me any idea as to where should I try my application to? I hope you understand my situation too, the same situation you had before. I'm very desperate right now...any comments and suggestions will deeply appreciated. Have a good one everyone!!!