When I first came to the USA 4 years ago I really didn't think I would do Nursing. First of all I didn't know any English, second I thought I needed to go to a Nursing School again.
For about 2 years I just worked as a volunteer in different places. Then one day I saw Johnson&Johnson's advertisement on the TV saying : "Nurses, We need you more than ever" That really touched me. The other day I saw another ad of an hospital saying "Nurses, come work with us, we have great benefits for you"
I started thinking why not? When I was doing nursing in Turkey I really enjoyed working with patients, Now sometimes I still receive calls from people who used to be my patients and now they are my friends. When I thought how much I enjoyed Nursing in Turkey I started to search how I can be a Nurse in the USA. Then I found out It wasn't that hard. I had to take an exam. I studied hard and when I passed my exam on my first try with minimum questions I felt like you could do whatever you want as long as you are determined. When I got my license I was the happiest person in the world and I will never forget how I jumped in the house and said "I did it, I did it"
Now it was time to find a great hospital that I can enjoy working in. I was reading allnurses and one of the nurses was saying :"this hospital would be a great hospital to work in DC area." When I called HR of the hospital she was suggesting, they told me to come next day as they were having an open house. I took the bus and when I got off I didn't know where to go and I asked somebody and he was so pleasant showed me where I should go. For a couple months later, when I was preparing my medications in med room somebody from pharmacy came in, smiled and asked me "Oh, now you can find your way easily ha?" And I realized it was that person who showed me my way that day.
When I first started I was so excited, happy but at the same time so stressful. Everything was new for me. First off all the system, language, people.. everything. When hospital gave me a great orientation I felt really lucky again, I had my confidence and I knew I could be a great nurse again.
When I started to work with patients I started to get positive feedback and they also made me believe again I was born to be a nurse.
One day as soon as I entered one of my patients room, pt recognized me and stated "Ah, Now you are wearing blue instead of red jacket, how nice" I had seen that pt when I was volunteering on the CCC 4 months ago when I was waiting for my papers and we had some conversation. He came back to the hospital again after 4 moths for afib and he was going to have Cardioversion. He was so nervous. We talked in the morning and also he recalled one of his happiest vacations in Turkey with his family and he smiled. I went out for my other patients and he pressed the call button as soon as I exited the room. When I got back to his room he stated "Serpil, Can you check the monitor for me. I think I converted" " I feel great" I went to check and he had converted to NSR. I called his Dr. and he stated pt could go home. When I told this to pt, he gave me a big hug and stated "You did it" "You are going to save a lot of people's lives with your smile" I always believe remembering fun days you had in the past can make your day go beautifully. I believe that's what made my pt's heart to beat normally again.
Another day when I got in for day shift in the morning I received a report on my pt. They stated he doesn't talk at all, he is in big depression as he got fired his 30-year job. When I got in the room he stated I don't want anything. The curtains were closed and he looked so miserable. I told him that I would go back. After I finished everything with my other pts I went back to his room and took my time, sat down and talked to him. He then explained to me why he was so sad and everything else that was bothering him. He had one son needed to go to collage and he needed money. He stated wherever he starts he will never earn that much money that he used to earn. I told him that I understand his frustrations but you never know what's good for you. Maybe God has different plans for you. I also told him that his son would prefer a happy father. Worrying doesn't make problem go away, I told him to take a walk, do something that he enjoys for a while. I was able to see some smile on his face then. I opened the curtains and I told him I would come back again and he told me how much he appreciated my time. Later on his wife came into the room and pt called me just to introduce me to his wife and his wife also thanked me. The same day I d/c him home and he also gave me hug stating "I will never forget you". I really heard this from my other pts also later. I do love Nursing and I believe it's not only assessment-giving medications or anything else. It's feeling what's going on with your pt. I think It doesn't matter what language you speak as long as you show them you care.. That's most important and I would like all foreign nurses to realize that..
The other day I had 24 year old patient who I was told always asked for Ativan. Around 9 pm she called me crying "I feel so anxious.. I don't know what to do.. I need Ativan" She was not due for another ativan at least for 2 hours. I just sat by her on the bed and put my hand over her shoulders. I stayed there for a while, used silence and her crying stopped. She then lay back and I just said I will come back let me know when you need anything. Pt didn't ask for another Ativan all night and the way she asked the things changed, she started to say "I am sorry to give you trouble.." Her doctor saw her calm in the morning and we discussed about pt and doctor thanked me for taking care of her.
I also have a great experience about how important it is to have foreign nurses in terms of having patients from all over the world. One day when I came to my unit, I recognized one of my pt's name. It was Turkish. They told me she only spoke Turkish. When I went to her room she looked so happy when I talked to her in Turkish,
Her son was in the room, looked so tired as he's been staying with her mom to translate. I told him he can go home and get some rest as I am already there all night. He was so happy.I heard next day they had to take her down to ICU and that day I went down to visit her and let the nurses know that I am always ready if they need some help translating.
On my other experience I really believe I made a difference on my patient's life. Pt was born in Turkey. They told me he was at the terminal stage and they were planning to take him to the hospice care. When I got him in the morning I asked him if he could speak Turkish and he started to talk in Turkish. He talked about where in Istanbul he was born-lived.
He smiled and kept talking about his house in Istanbul and everything that he remembers. He smiled. My sleepy, not talking pt now wide awake talking about his life in Turkey. When his son came in that afternoon I will never forget his face. He was so surprised, happy to see his father awake, talking.
He couldn't find a word to say to me but his smiling happy face was enough to made me happy and when I got out the room he came and stated "Thank You"
My philosophy is to approach pt like they are one of your family members. They are my mom, sisters, brothers.. How I want them to be treated when they need some help? And this makes you a safe nurse because you never want your family to be given a wrong medication. You also become a natural pt advocate as you feel like your pts are one of your family member. How many times I received a call from a doctor asking me to have the pt sign the consent for a curtain procedure, when I found out pt was not aware of the risks and what's going on, how many times I had to call back the doctor stating can you please first explain this to pt or family member (if pt is not able to sign for a reason) before I get the consent..
I believe doing what you like is the most important part of our lives. That's what I do at the moment, Nursing.. Giving hand to people who need your help when they really need you.. With your knowledge, experience, being a safe, proactive nurse,
When I first started I also had communication problems. Since I started my orientation at nights I wasn't able to meet the doctors. Talking to somebody that you have not met plus with your second language makes you nervous in the first place but by the time when I get to know them and get used to the system, I can say now I am able to communicate without any questions. I was having hard time giving suggestions as I didn't know the people, doctors and I didn't/t know what to expect. Now I am more knowledgeable as I read everyday to make sure I am up to date, I remember warning acouple MDs multiple times when they prescribed D5 on severe diabetic patient, when they wrote order for an IV fluid on CHF pt.. They all thanked me for these warnings and also it gave me encourage for future I can always be a pt advocate and it's supported by all team members.
When I think about my first days I also remember having dreams about computer charting. This was very new for me. I remember all night long when I was sleeping I was doing computer charting without any interruptions. I believe it was the stress of a new environment and new system and every new thing around me. But now I am comfortable and I only do computer charting in the hospital, not in my dreams. ?
As a summary I had hard time in the first place because everything was new for me. Language, system, people.. But with my hospital's great orientation, the support of great people I work with, my growing knowledge, with my patients' positive feedback I am now more confident. My goal is always be a successful nurse and be knowledgeable as much as possible.
It's been almost 3 years I have been RN in my hospital. I think I improved myself a lot. When I first started I didn't know how to explain a telemetry box to a patient appropriately, now I am a competent-independent RN and do work as a charge nurse sometimes. I believe there is nothing in the world as beautiful as doing something you like or you want.. All challenges pass by and you learn so many new things and become stronger everyday.. Patience, passion, loving your job.. That's all it takes.. Now when I think about the first days I started and compare it where I am now, It's just indescribable.I would like to reach all nurses who are just starting as a new nurse in the USA or about to start and tell them about my experience..
I would like to thank to my hospital, my wonderful mentors, great people I met/work with and of course to my patients who always made me happy and kept going with their wonderful compliments.. Also of course thanks to the person who was suggesting my current hospital as a great working environment on allnurses.com..I feel so lucky to have encountered your post and lucky to know allnurses.
I WROTE THIS LETTER TO MY MANAGER IN JUNE 2007 ( 1 YEAR AFTER MY HIRE DATE) NOW I EDITED A COUPLE OF THINGS AND SUBMITTING TO ALLNURSES AS ALSO YOU CAN SEE ALLNURSES HELPS ALOT OF PEOPLE.. I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN MY HOSPITAL NOW ALMOST FOR 3 YEARS THANKS TO ALLNURSES.. 6/5/2007
