How do you get on with foreign nurses?

suzanne4, RN · Apr 2, 2006

I love working with nurses from other countries and that you well know.

My BIGGEST and only gripe is not speaking English when you are at work. If there are four people working in an area that day, and three speak their native language, please do not be rude to the other nurse and speak your language all day. It is quite unprofessional and actually is considered rude. And it makes it hard for families there as well.

This is the main reason that I am leaving where I have been the past six months. I am tired of having to deal with it. And it is considered grounds for firing at some institutions.

Please be respectful of the other staff memebers on your unit, when you are at work.

psalm, RN · Apr 2, 2006

...ask about the HOSPITAL'S protocol at orientations for where you will be working. Also, if there are different words used in your country of origin, learn what is used at your place of employment. An example: in the 70's when I worked in Hawaii the Filipina nurses called sanitary pads diapers!! Very confusing for me coz I was working newborn nursery and helped out with postpartum. And a Filipina nurse aide was orienting me :)

...and ask questions on the unit or floor you work. Things come up that aren't covered in orientation. Let us know how you do.

Moranguinho · Apr 2, 2006

I had the same doubt...

I was just willing how would it be the 1st month?

I'm experienced in my country. We use american books at university as well(such as Brunner & Sudarth), but I'm afraid of starting to work and see so many different dressings, equipments, words...

Could you give me some tips if there's a way I could use to prepare myself?

Thanks a lot.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 2, 2006

There will be alot to learn.

Making it thru the exams is just the first part of the process.

There are different idioms used in different parts of the US as well.

Example, what I call gym shoes, are called tennis shoes in some areas or even sneakers, as they are on the East Coast.

My purse is just that, something that I carry my wallet in, my keys, etc. and in other parts it is a handbag or even a pocketbook. To me, a pocketbook is a paperback book that is small enough to go into your pocket.

If you are not 100% of what they are referring to, please just ask. These are just examples for everyday English, let alone the medical idioms.

jillyk*rn · Apr 2, 2006

On my unit right now I work with a nurse from the Philippines, Russia, and Ireland. Love them all!!

Different hospitals have different words for different things, it just takes a little getting used to.

Good Luck!!

Moranguinho · Apr 2, 2006

Thank you all.

I've been realizing (and learning a lot;)) about these differences.

For instance: once a friend of mine just said "my hubby" and I spent some minutes trying to find out what it is. I always ask, of course! :roll I learned "husband" but hubby is new for me, as many other words as well.

I love to learn new skills, but I hate being slow in the beginning (I know this is normal and takes some time)... It's so hard starting again in another country, another language....

Well, it's a new challenge!

graceluna · Apr 7, 2006

I share your fears because I am a Foregein from Argentina, and I will be starting soon, I hope, to work,I am going to take the New grads training, which is going to help. I have heard about foregein talking in their language and I think it is unpolite for the coworkers and pts. too. keep us posted to see how are you doing. Thanks.

fergus51 · Apr 7, 2006

I love foreign nurses (just like I love native nurses) as long as they are kind and polite and professional. The accents are a lot of fun too. I don't mind them asking lots of questions and sharing the differences they see, I think that's interesting. I don't mind them speaking their language with others at work either. I've mostly worked in places with a large number of foreign nurses (Vancouver, Toronto, now California) and never had a problem relating to their foreigner status.

I've also noticed that Canadians, Aussies, Brits, Kiwis, etc. don't seem to be considered as foreign by some Americans. I mean, they know we're foreign, but we're not as foreign as say nurses who are from countries where English isn't the main language. It's kind of wierd.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2006

Letina Hi,

You will find a great difference in the language especially in the hospital- my advice is you learn to talk 'American English' because you will understand everything that is said to you but the Us nurses dont understand anything you say to them. You need to slow down your spoken English because they understand nothing if you speak quickly-they are too polite to say they dont understand but you'll soon pick up on the clues when they stare at you blankly or dont comprhend what you want.

I always introduced my self to the pt as a person who they may not always understand but they must ask questions if they find they have difficulty understanding my accent or spoken word.

For example-'I am going to shine a torch in your eyes"

translates to " I am going to put a blow touch in your eye'

you have to say pen light.

Giving set=Tubing

Venflons=IV cannules

Catheters=Foleys

Drug kardes=MARS

inco pads=Pampers

You will soon pick it up.

If you have a stong liverpool accent they are going to have fun fun fun understanding you. :lol2:

Moranguinho · Apr 7, 2006

So, I had another doubt about starting...:typing

I'm Brazilian, living in Turkey currently, but looking for a job in Dubai.

The question is all these nurses who are working with you all have post graduation courses, specialties? Is it impossible for a nurse who has 4 years experience, but no specialty, to get a job abroad? It doesn't have to be the most perfect job in the world, but at least to give me some international experience.

I've been in contact with a head hunter and she has been helping me a lot. But she said I would have a better time now if I had some masters or any postgraduation course and it sounds to me like a " mandatory condition", something I MUST have, and not should have.

So, now I'm a bit sad, because I can't believe all the nurses have masters except me... :scrying: Of course I'm also looking for it, but it takes some time and money...

What do you think? Do I have a chance without specialty or MBA, masters etc? Suzanne, could you help me with this question?:chair:

Thank you...

Celia M, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2006

Letina, Hi, I came to the US in 1988 from the UK, I grew up in Formby. There were many differences between nursing in the UK and the US 17 years ago. The major difference being assessments and charting, followed by terminology and med names. The hospital where I work (yep still love it here after 171/2 years) were great, I had a great orientation and we had many laughs over language differences. I am still remebered as the nurse who asked one of the Docs if I could borrow his rubber (they're called erasers here as rubbers are condoms!) to have reply "Here in the US we only use them once!!!". My hospital had little experience with foreign nurses at that time, but treated me well and used my experience as a blueprint for others, the staff were wonderful. Good luck, if you need to chat PM me. Where are you headed to and where in Merseyside are you from. Celia