How do you get on with foreign nurses?

letina · Apr 7, 2006

Letina Hi,
If you have a stong liverpool accent they are going to have fun fun fun understanding you.

Nah.....Lancashire lass, me :lol2: Mind you, still could be fun.....ya know........put 't kettle on mam :lol2: .......or better still, imagine asking a patient "are you badly?" :rotfl:

letina · Apr 7, 2006

Where are you headed to and where in Merseyside are you from. Celia

Hi Celia

I'm from St Helens.....which used to be part of Lancashire as you know, but now is Merseyside. I'm headed to Florida (soon).....I have my Embassy interview in 4 days time

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2006

Nah.....Lancashire lass, me Mind you, still could be fun.....ya know........put 't kettle on mam .......or better still, imagine asking a patient "are you badly?" :rotfl:

Hey me too I am a strong Lancashire lass how about

What's up duck :lol2:

Trauma Columnist · Apr 8, 2006

I work in the midwest and we have a number of foreign-born and/or trained in our hospital. It's always very interesting. Interstingly enough, most of my experience is with foreign-born/trained physicians. At least 60% of our resident physicians are foreign-born. Very interesting to talk to. I was fortunate to live overseas for about 9 years in three different countries. I have experience being the patient's mom in Korea and Spain and even though there was a definite language problem, what came through despite any language barrier was the caring and compassionate nature of the nurses I came into contact with. I'm sure you will do fine.

PamUK · May 17, 2006

Letina Hi,
If you have a stong liverpool accent they are going to have fun fun fun understanding you.

LOL... I have a Liverpool accent & I had such fun in the late 70's working in Arkansas & Texas with my accent!!! And I remember talking about a torch..

But never mind different countries. What is the UK like for regional dialects, some of which are only 50 miles apart. When I first met my boyfriends parent (from Leeds) they talked about going to a "Kirry house" Hadn't a clue!! When we got there, it was a curry house... personally, I'd have said going for an Indian (as in Indian meal)

I also remember the strange look a patient gave me (in Little Rock) when he asked for a soft drink. I took him fresh orange juice... WHAT?? He explained that a soft drink meant a fizzy drink. Oh such fun!!

PS ... live on the Wirral now... very posh!

PamUK · May 17, 2006

Hey me too I am a strong Lancashire lass how about
What's up duck

Or "your nesh!!" Thats very Merseyside

letina · May 17, 2006

Or "your nesh!!" Thats very Merseyside

And what about when we like something, we say it's "boss"....think the American translation would be "cool"...... :lol2:

madwife2002, BSN, RN · May 17, 2006

How about mither, my very very favorite word, which even southerns of the Uk dont know

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · May 25, 2006

Man, the Lancs and the scouse I can deal with.

The Welsh?! :eek: You guys are from a d'ffrent planet I tell ye!

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · May 25, 2006

When you come to the U.S. you will notice the opposite everywhere. You will get the feeling "These guys are crazy" .....almost everything you try to do will fail even if it is a small thing like switching ON the lamp !!!!"

This is just to make you get a hang of it. The cars are driven on the right hand side instead of left hand side of the road. So you should look left first while crossing roads :) You may have to insert the key upside down and rotate it in the opposite direction to unlock. You will also notice that switches work in opposite direction i.e. UP is ON and DOWN is OFF :). The date is written with the month first, then day, followed by the year.

Here's an informal "dictionary" that I can think off ::

Word = American format

School = High school

College = School

University = School

High school = School/Junior High

Take a class = Teach a class

Be a student = Take a class

2nd standard = 2nd grade

High marks = Good grades

Invigilator = Proctor

Canteen = Cafeteria

Windcheater = Windbreaker

Vest = Undershirt

Waistcoat = Vest

Half-pant = Shorts

Purse = Wallet

Swim trunks = Swim suit

Swim costume = Swim suit

Traffic signal = Traffic light

Boot/dikky = Trunk of a car

Bonnet/Hood = of a car

Petrol pump = Gas station

Petrol = Gas

Pavement = Sidewalk

Footpath = Sidewalk

Zebra Crossing = Crosswalk

Take a lift = Get a ride

Motorcycle = Motorbike

Cycle = Bike

Lorry = Truck

Football = Soccer

American football = Football

Solid = Substantial

Ltd. = Inc.

Transistor = Radio

Two-in-One = Boom box

Goggles = Sunglasses

Cooling glass = Sunglasses

Toilet = Restroom

Guest house = Motel

Current = Electricity

$20 Note = $20 Bill

Cell = Battery

Torch = Flashlight

Rubber = Eraser

Condom = Rubber

Snap = Picture

Photograph = Picture

Mixee = Mixer

Dustbin = Trash can

Beggar = Panhandler

IBM-Compatible = IBM-Clone

Inflammable = Flammable

Mess Dorm = Cafeteria

Hotel = Restaurant

Restaurant bill = Restaurant check

Cheque = Check

Picture = Movie

Talkies = Movies

Lift = Elevator

To fix = To install

To repair = To fix

Pram = Stroller

Gurney = Cart

To post (a letter) = To mail (a letter)

To submit = To turn in

To be out of station = To be out of town

A place to park = Driveway

A place to drive = Parkway

Straight-away = Right away

Anticlockwise = Counterclockwise

Bunk school = Skip class

Passed out = Graduated

Fainted = Passed out

Ring up (someone) = Call up (someone)

The line is engaged = It's busy / I got a busy tone

Push the accelerator = Step on the gas

Give the car some race = Speed up the car

Get down (from a bus) = Get off (of a bus) (But be careful about telling some one to "get off" )

Let's push off = Let's go

Let's make a move = Let's go

Convince someone = Talk someone into

Black money Tax free = undeclared income

Standing from a Constituency = Running for an election

Issue a book = Checkout a book

(from the library) (from the library)

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · May 25, 2006

Few other things:

All doors - generally - open "out". As in, if you're leaving a building, the doors swing out.... you'll have to push. If you're entering, you'll have to pull.

There is a general lack 'roundabouts' - they are intersections instead.

This is my pet theory === you can tell if you're in a commercial/business district or residential simply by looking at the colour - oops, I meant 'color' :chuckle - of the lights. Yellow light/bulb light is usually residential/private. White/flouroscent light is usually business/public.

Driving rules in general are systematic and 'make sense'. They do need a little "getting used to". Speed is much, much faster. And you'll also note a somewhat general 'lack' of public transportation (unless you're in a real big city). You'll also find that having a car is nearly indispensible.

Oh and you folks from London (or Bombay :)), forgot about your 'double-deckas' :lol2:

EDIT : And if you're bringing electircal appliances with you, don't forget to bring converters.

First, the voltage here is 110v.

Second, the pins/sockets are different. The sockets are flat and the pins are flat too - none of that round stuff :)

moffist · Sep 4, 2006

Letina did ypu ever relocate to the US? I have worked here for 2 years and I trained over 20 years ago in the UK. I found the folks here VERY helpful and my accent and the way I speak a real door-opener. Haven't found ANY discrimination.I work on a med-surg unit and find working here soooooo different from the UK but great working conditions. The vacation is the only gripe I have. I got 6 weeks in the UK and lucky to get 2 weeks here!!! UGHHH