Foreign Nursing Grad...

Published

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

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a foreign nurse also from Slovakia. I passed my boards in 2008. I haven't been working since I passed my board exam for family reasons.

Now I am ready to get a job and it is so difficult...I don't have any experience in the hospital in USA.

So I would suggest you to keep working there until you gain some experience and later you can always find something even better after knowing that you worked in the hospital.

Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Skilled Nursing.

hang in there!

I recently passed and I too would want to start working for the same reasons as you might have. Also, don't try to think too much of other people but rather focus on learning what you need to know. I'm having a hard time looking for a job since I too am a New Graduate. The knowledge is there but you just have to apply it in the area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yes i will stick around when things get better economy wise and when the hospitals are hiring again...its just sometimes i feel like i am getting dumber at where im working and i need to do something in order to keep me updated and still in critical thinking mode

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Addictions, Acute Psychiatry.

If you leave a job you've already got, you may be looking for months or even a year; especially if English is not your native tongue given two equals. Remember there are cultural differences you may never really be aware of that the people "talking behind your back" may be discussing.

I'm not sure what out of country BSN's offer but before the shortage in my area, associate nurses were hired more often due to more recent clinical experience and less management, community and non hospital clinical experience (meaning the associates had less orientation time). Now they figure if they're going to invest and nurses aren't job hopping with the job shortage, might as well pick a BSN so that may counter the English second language theory a little. I'd stay put. You may also be dealing with resentment about the Philippine education system cranking out nurses solely for export in excess of positions available in their country giving some locals (in many English speaking countries) "they're taking our jobs" feeling.

I'd stay put and try to fit in best I could. Now is not the time to move anywhere! Best wishes to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

dear, i must say that you are lucky enough because you are able to land a job. i'm a new grad as well, and i too, have just arrived recently from the philippines (december 08). i have no hospital experience too, at MARE, i know what you meant when you said everything else seems "foreign." i would say filipino nurses are as competent too, but we just don't have the same equipments and machines that they use here. i think you're my lifesaver. is there any way that we could talk? kasi lucky for you cos you've had that CNA experience, and i have ZERO. i have NEVER seen nurses work here. i have NEVER seen what they do. and i have a feeling that a job is near and i'm so afraid that everything will be new for me.

please help me, mare. i know i sound "stupidly stupid." but i know you'll understand because you know the deal and how we do it in the philippines. where are you located now? i'm in san diego, california. if you are willing, please contact me in ANY way you wish. =]

(PS. i sent you a visitor message and a private message for my email) thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion