info on working in the USA from Cdn RNs

[nurse4hearts]

Hi,

I am curious for some advice from anyone who has nursed in both Canada and the USA. I am an RN in Canada with 12 years experience and am trying to decide if we should move to Texas or Florida to escape the winters. Any insight on some experiences about living and working in the US would be greatly appreciated. Is there a "culture shock" when you start nursing in the US? Is it really different from what we do and see in Canada?

Thanks Laura

[Fiona59]

Haven't done it personally but work with several who have.

It really depends on where you go. One nurse found the racisim in Texas too much and came home withing three months. Others loved other states.

Just remember: no unions (usually), no paid sick time and their job market is really tight right now. Read some of the posts on this board. Their local new grads are having a hard time finding work and some established nurses are talking about layoffs.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

You definitely want to avoid the right-to-work states where you could find yourself without a job because somebody didn't like the colour of your scrubs. Some areas of Texas and Florida too are hiring, but they're always hiring because they don't offer healthy work environments and have really high turnover. Those are the places that offer huge sign-on bonuses and unreal compensation for sticking around. You're wise to look before you leap.

[linzz]

A friend of mine worked for a few years in the U.S. and she ended up very burnt out. She found the mandatory overtime, huge workloads and the racism too much. I am not saying everyone is racist but all it takes is one or two rotten apples.

My father lives in the U.S. and it seems so very different from Canada, not better or worse, just very different and this can be really hard to get used to.

[Wawanurse]

I graduated in Ontario 15 years ago and have been working in the US for the last 13 - mostly in the North.

I would suggest you try Travel Nursing this way you are only obligated for 13 weeks and can renew or extend if you so wish.

I have done 2 x 13 week contracts in Florida's east Coast in what I thought were affluent communities, but the staffing ratios were horrible. I do not know how the regulars put up with it ... I have never been to Texas, though nearly ended up there until a friend of mine brought me to my senses!

As for Travel Nursing companies, do you research, use Hypodermic Highway to see which are judged better and do your own research online and different web sites (including Better Bureau for the location of the agency).

Good luck.