cultural challenges interview

[studentnursecrystal]

I am a nursing student with an assignment to find a nurse who has experienced challenges due to their cultural differences. This is a list of questions that I have thought of but would love any additional comments that include experiences that are relevant. If there is anyone who could answer these questions it would be greatly appreciated.:)

1.What country are you from?

2.How long have you been in the U.S.?

3.Did you face any additional challenges in obtaining your license?

4.Have you faced any challenges gaining employment due to your cultural differences and what?

5.Have you faced any challenges working with coworkers do to your cultural differences and what?

6.Have you faced any challenges caring for patients due to your cultural differences and what?

7.How has your cultural differences helped you as a nurse with employment or patient care?

[e.j_rn_to_be]

1.What country are you from?

Somewhere in South America...

2.How long have you been in the U.S.?

10 yrs

3.Did you face any additional challenges in obtaining your license?

Nope, went to a Nursing program within the USA. Also, I had my documentation up-to-date, so no hassle there. I felt that going back to school and starting from the basics (eg: basic math, basic English and writing, etc) vs waiting for my transcripts to be approved/translated would be the best option to me (I did not have a Nursing major prior to moving to America, so this was my personal choice)... I also worked as an aide at a hospital for years, prior and during Nursing school... that experience not only helped me w/ the practical skills but also with the medical terminology, as well as to understand how the hospital setting works.

4.Have you faced any challenges gaining employment due to your cultural differences and what?

Not at my current job. I applied and got hired once at a Long Term Care Facility and a particular charge RN at the LTC place made a couple of hurtful comments to me regarding my foreign status after I was hired and working... so, as life goes, it wasn't meant to be for me at that facility. Since then, I worked at two different facilities, where I was welcomed and received many kudos regarding my work ethic, team working skills and pt care satisfaction.

5.Have you faced any challenges working with coworkers do to your cultural differences and what?

See previous. I do believe that I face more challenges for being a New Grad Nurse over my cultural differences.

6.Have you faced any challenges caring for patients due to your cultural differences and what?

No (at least not yet).

7.How has your cultural differences helped you as a nurse with employment or patient care?

I often hear from managers or interviewers how impressed they are regarding my skills, achievements and work experience . I consider myself an extrovert, and I often ask questions to other nurses or others within the team when I cannot find the answers myself. I am working on building my confidence (especially when calling the docs)... Overall, I am just thankful and happy to be where I am. I love being a Nurse, I am also fortunate to have a great support system at home and at my current job. I do have good days and bad days at work... learning is an ongoing process.

[studentnursecrystal]

Thank you for your reply and I am glad you have been able to be nurse with not to many added challenges and contibuting to the diversity of care that we can offer as nures!