Job in an area where I have no previous experience.

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello fellow nurses. Excuse this long post, but I just don't know how to go about my situation and would like to ask for your insights.

I am a foreign RN recently hired by a hospital in the United States. I prefer not to mention the name of the hospital for privacy reasons.

During my interview, I was told that I will be assigned to Hyperbaric and Wound Care based on my nursing experience as I have been working in this area for the past 5 years. After almost 2 years since the interview, my immigrant visa finally came through, and prior to commencing employment, about 2 weeks ago I was informed by a coordinator from the hospital that I will be assigned in step-down/progressive care.

I have no previous experience in this area, and the last time I worked in an in-patient setting was 6 years ago, in a medical floor where patients did not require close monitoring. I am fully aware of my limitations in skills and knowledge as a nurse, and do not feel comfortable about this assignment. Also, my goal is to get a certification to become a WOCN and really focus on wound care, and hopefully get a certification to become a hyperbaric RN as well. My passion is in wound care.

I emailed the coordinator regarding this but she hasn't replied for almost 2 weeks now. So I decided to email the recruitment agency who paired me with the facility. However, they couldn't give me a clear answer either and pretty much telling me that it's still "business" and the hospital's priority are the patients.

I am keeping an open mind regarding this, but still anxious about the situation.

How can a nurse pursue her passion and be able to specialize in a field that holds her interest, where she will be happy in? What can I do in this situation?

Thanks in advance.

Well if it took 2 years they probably filled the wound care position

Specializes in Varied.
Well if it took 2 years they probably filled the wound care position

This likely happened.

The best course of action may be for you to consider finding a different recruitment person who can better line you up with what meets your skills.

Hello Jennylee and Inthecosmos.

Well, i just came across a job post on some jobsite that the hospital is looking for nurses for hyperbaric and wound care, which means there is a vacancy. I applied, and got a reply. But when they found out that I am a foreign educated nurse, the lady I talked to said that the hospital only allows international nurses to work inpatient. I asked her why but she said she doesnt really know.

Im surprised by her answer. I dont know what to do anymore.

Specializes in school nurse.
Hello Jennylee and Inthecosmos.

Well, i just came across a job post on some jobsite that the hospital is looking for nurses for hyperbaric and wound care, which means there is a vacancy. I applied, and got a reply. But when they found out that I am a foreign educated nurse, the lady I talked to said that the hospital only allows international nurses to work inpatient. I asked her why but she said she doesnt really know.

Im surprised by her answer. I dont know what to do anymore.

Maybe because they want to see international nurses' work first in a more general and "supervised" setting? (Just a guess...)

Maybe because they want to see international nurses' work first in a more general and "supervised" setting? (Just a guess...)

You might be right. I wouldn't have guessed that because in the other 2 countries I worked in, and 4 other hospitals in these countries, foreign nurses were placed in both inpatient and outpatient units, and even in specialized areas. Of course these assignments were based on the nurse's previous experience and qualifications. The United States could be different. The irony is, recruiters prefer nurses with previous experience and sometimes even specify area of experience/specialty when looking for foreign nurses for their affiliated facilities. That maybe could just be a front, but these nurses will just be placed anywhere as these hospitals see fit. A bit misleading, but oh well... whats an immigrant to do? í ¾í´·*♀️

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