International Nursing

Faby · May 21, 2005

Hi all! I am a RN in the US wanting to find out about nursing internationally.. I have traveled to Italy approximately a year ago & was able to find out about Rome's Fatebenefratelli facility.. Any international allnurses.com members could email me and tell me a little about nursing outside of the US.. Thanks :)

Hi. What would you like to know? I'd be better if you simply ask what exactly you'd like to be told about.

TMW · May 22, 2005

Hi Faby! Thanks for responding! Sorry my question was so general.. Just to give you more insight.. I am a RN in graduate school currently in a Professional Issues Nursing course in which we are to develop an online exchange with an internet partner from another country (outside the US) to discuss nursing related issues at home & abroad. My instructor informed me that allnurses.com would be a great place to start. If you could, I would need to know a little about the country you are living in, the area you are currently working in or your area of specialty, your nursing education (past & present), & any other interesting piece of information about yourself that you would like to share. I'm in summer school & would like to keep in touch with you over the remaining months of the course to discuss related nursing concerns in your country & in my country. Thanks again for responding & hope to hear back from you :)

Faby · May 23, 2005

Hi Faby! Thanks for responding! Sorry my question was so general.. Just to give you more insight.. I am a RN in graduate school currently in a Professional Issues Nursing course in which we are to develop an online exchange with an internet partner from another country (outside the US) to discuss nursing related issues at home & abroad. My instructor informed me that allnurses.com would be a great place to start. If you could, I would need to know a little about the country you are living in, the area you are currently working in or your area of specialty, your nursing education (past & present), & any other interesting piece of information about yourself that you would like to share. I'm in summer school & would like to keep in touch with you over the remaining months of the course to discuss related nursing concerns in your country & in my country. Thanks again for responding & hope to hear back from you :)

Hi TMW: Nice to meet you. I'm pleased to answer to your inquiries.

I'm from Uruguay, a 3.500.000 population South American country. You can check it's location in a map. We are at the South of Brazil, just to the East of Argentina, and we aren't part of Argentina.

I've been a RN in my country since 1984, and have a wide range of experience, ER, UCI, Med-Surg,Gyn-OB. I'm a Nursing Supervisor at a private hospital since 2001. However, I don't have any specialty as in Uruguay specialties are new. Some of my colleagues have earned a specialty degree by notorious competence. But, as I 've worked in so many different units, I don't fill the requirements to earn that degree.

Please, let me know what would you like to know. And allow me a few days to answer.

regards,

Xenene · Jun 3, 2005

Hi all! I am a RN in the US wanting to find out about nursing internationally.. I have traveled to Italy approximately a year ago & was able to find out about Rome's Fatebenefratelli facility.. Any international allnurses.com members could email me and tell me a little about nursing outside of the US.. Thanks :)

Hy, my name is Claudia. I'm a RN since 2002 in Austria Europe. So far I worked only at a medicine ward in Vienna. I'm also keen to know more about the differences in nursing in the several countries. And it is a good way to improve my English. For I'm up to getting my Matura or Abitur ( After that you can attend university in Austria). Talking about differences , well I don't acually know much about your nursing system in the States. Only what I've seen on TV on this serie called Emercency Room. I' ve heard that this Serie is supposed to be very realistic. And in some way I found it more realistic than the series we have down here. ( the quarels between the nurses and the doctors, careless mistakes, the many hours of overtime, the bad working competitions etc.) In the series we get from Germany nurses and doctors are perfect and seem never under stress, exept when there is an emercency. But back to reality. On my ward we have 37 beds ( or 37 patients, although we are not always full). As a RN in Austria you are resposible for the personal hygiene ( If you donnot understand a term please ask, because some of the word I have to look up in a dictonary and although I have a medical one, it is more English English and not American one, and I've learnd allready that some of the words aren't really in use any more), the preparation and together with the interns ( is this the right word for a doctor in training) for the giving ( don't know the correct word either, I think I have to get a better dictonary) of the injections and the instillations. Once a day there is a ward round. If we need a doctor at any other time we have to call him or her. We are not allowed to give medication on our own decission, but I have heard in some countries nurses are allowed to. We have to do a lot of the administration stuff like making appointments for X-rays etc., also we have to hand out the meals. If you like I could send you an offical descripiton of our duties. Although in my opinion it is very vage. And it would last a little because I have to translate it.

As for my person, I'm 26 years old. I live in Vienna Austria. I like books of all kind, but recencently I haven't much time to read. As I said before I'm attending an evening school to get the Abitur, after that I wanna study, but I haven't made my mind up yet what exactly. I like English , really, I try to see most of the new films or series in English, to improve it. But as you can see I still have to learn a lot. I hope you write back.

Yours Claudia

Faby · Jun 3, 2005

Hy, my name is Claudia. I'm a RN since 2002 in Austria Europe. So far I worked only at a medicine ward in Vienna. I'm also keen to know more about the differences in nursing in the several countries. And it is a good way to improve my English. For I'm up to getting my Matura or Abitur ( After that you can attend university in Austria). Talking about differences , well I don't acually know much about your nursing system in the States. Only what I've seen on TV on this serie called Emercency Room. I' ve heard that this Serie is supposed to be very realistic. And in some way I found it more realistic than the series we have down here. ( the quarels between the nurses and the doctors, careless mistakes, the many hours of overtime, the bad working competitions etc.) In the series we get from Germany nurses and doctors are perfect and seem never under stress, exept when there is an emercency. But back to reality. On my ward we have 37 beds ( or 37 patients, although we are not always full). As a RN in Austria you are resposible for the personal hygiene ( If you donnot understand a term please ask, because some of the word I have to look up in a dictonary and although I have a medical one, it is more English English and not American one, and I've learnd allready that some of the words aren't really in use any more), the preparation and together with the interns ( is this the right word for a doctor in training) for the giving ( don't know the correct word either, I think I have to get a better dictonary) of the injections and the instillations. Once a day there is a ward round. If we need a doctor at any other time we have to call him or her. We are not allowed to give medication on our own decission, but I have heard in some countries nurses are allowed to. We have to do a lot of the administration stuff like making appointments for X-rays etc., also we have to hand out the meals. If you like I could send you an offical descripiton of our duties. Although in my opinion it is very vage. And it would last a little because I have to translate it.
As for my person, I'm 26 years old. I live in Vienna Austria. I like books of all kind, but recencently I haven't much time to read. As I said before I'm attending an evening school to get the Abitur, after that I wanna study, but I haven't made my mind up yet what exactly. I like English , really, I try to see most of the new films or series in English, to improve it. But as you can see I still have to learn a lot. I hope you write back.
Yours Claudia

Hi Claudia: Nice to meet you, and welcome to the Forum. I'm Rn in Uruguay, South America. And as I read your post, I have some questions, if you don't mind. You said you're a RN, but that you're to have your Abitur to go to the University? In what kind of institution did you get your RN degree? Because here in Uruguay RN are all graduated from the University. There are private schools, but the ones that graduate from these aren't recognized as Rn. In fact, they can't work as RN. They're still recognized as nursing assistants, or so. Because the Goverment doesn't accept their studies as university studies. I also dont' really understand very well about your duties. Who installs I/V lines, for example. Who asseses patients health status in order to establish nursing care?.

I would appreciate if you could explain this to me. Thank you.

And, again welcome.

SG15 · Jun 6, 2005

Hy, my name is Claudia. I'm a RN since 2002 in Austria Europe. So far I worked only at a medicine ward in Vienna. I'm also keen to know more about the differences in nursing in the several countries. And it is a good way to improve my English. For I'm up to getting my Matura or Abitur ( After that you can attend university in Austria). Talking about differences , well I don't acually know much about your nursing system in the States. Only what I've seen on TV on this serie called Emercency Room. I' ve heard that this Serie is supposed to be very realistic. And in some way I found it more realistic than the series we have down here. ( the quarels between the nurses and the doctors, careless mistakes, the many hours of overtime, the bad working competitions etc.) In the series we get from Germany nurses and doctors are perfect and seem never under stress, exept when there is an emercency. But back to reality. On my ward we have 37 beds ( or 37 patients, although we are not always full). As a RN in Austria you are resposible for the personal hygiene ( If you donnot understand a term please ask, because some of the word I have to look up in a dictonary and although I have a medical one, it is more English English and not American one, and I've learnd allready that some of the words aren't really in use any more), the preparation and together with the interns ( is this the right word for a doctor in training) for the giving ( don't know the correct word either, I think I have to get a better dictonary) of the injections and the instillations. Once a day there is a ward round. If we need a doctor at any other time we have to call him or her. We are not allowed to give medication on our own decission, but I have heard in some countries nurses are allowed to. We have to do a lot of the administration stuff like making appointments for X-rays etc., also we have to hand out the meals. If you like I could send you an offical descripiton of our duties. Although in my opinion it is very vage. And it would last a little because I have to translate it.
As for my person, I'm 26 years old. I live in Vienna Austria. I like books of all kind, but recencently I haven't much time to read. As I said before I'm attending an evening school to get the Abitur, after that I wanna study, but I haven't made my mind up yet what exactly. I like English , really, I try to see most of the new films or series in English, to improve it. But as you can see I still have to learn a lot. I hope you write back.
Yours Claudia

Hi claudia

I am in the same class and i am trying to find out how is working in another country comparable to working as a RN in the U.S?

I currently work in research and private practice in psychiarty. I have worked in the inpatietn units as well, but that was a while ago. I have been a nurse for 10 years now ans i have also worked in medicnine. We alos have interns and attendings (the doctors out of school).

If i may ask what is a abitur? You said that you were going to school for that? I am in school to become an Adult Nurse Practictioner.

Do you have to have a BSN to work in Austria or does it not matter what your degree level is?

I hope you write back. I can answer any of your questions as well.

-Selika

Xenene · Jun 7, 2005

Hi claudia
I am in the same class and i am trying to find out how is working in another country comparable to working as a RN in the U.S?
I currently work in research and private practice in psychiarty. I have worked in the inpatietn units as well, but that was a while ago. I have been a nurse for 10 years now ans i have also worked in medicnine. We alos have interns and attendings (the doctors out of school).
If i may ask what is a abitur? You said that you were going to school for that? I am in school to become an Adult Nurse Practictioner.
Do you have to have a BSN to work in Austria or does it not matter what your degree level is?
I hope you write back. I can answer any of your questions as well.
-Selika

Hello Selika

In Austria you can only attend university when you have an Abitur. It is a kind of exam in several subjects. I think I know what you mean by BSN, but could you explain the word to me.( And please donnot hesitate to correct my English for I 'm keen on learning it probatly.) It is some kind of work permit. I think yes because the USA is not part of the EU,but accually I donnot know. Anyway I think it is very easy to get it for we have a lack of nurses here in Austria. As for your degree level, no problem you don't need good marks. But I will write you later more and ask more questions because my Abitur is in about 3 weeks and I'm supposed to learn for it by now.

Yours Claudia

Xenene · Jun 7, 2005

Hi Claudia: Nice to meet you, and welcome to the Forum. I'm Rn in Uruguay, South America. And as I read your post, I have some questions, if you don't mind. You said you're a RN, but that you're to have your Abitur to go to the University? In what kind of institution did you get your RN degree? Because here in Uruguay RN are all graduated from the University. There are private schools, but the ones that graduate from these aren't recognized as Rn. In fact, they can't work as RN. They're still recognized as nursing assistants, or so. Because the Goverment doesn't accept their studies as university studies. I also dont' really understand very well about your duties. Who installs I/V lines, for example. Who asseses patients health status in order to establish nursing care?.
I would appreciate if you could explain this to me. Thank you.
And, again welcome.

Hello,thank you for answering. Well, I 've heard that in America you have to

attend university to become a nurse. Here in Austria you attend a school

which belongs to a hospital for 3 years. After getting your diploma you are

allowed to work all over Europe as a RN. You donnot need an Abitur you

just have to be 17 years old to become a nurse. ( now I have to explain our

schoolsystem a little.First you can attend a form of elemetary school from

the age of

6 until the age of 10 after that you attend some form of highschool until

you are 14. After that you can choose to learn a job or stay at school and

get your Abitur. Four more years )If you like to become a nurse you can

leave

the Abitur school after two years and attend nursing school. There is a

nursing lecture at the university but it's only paperwork and research. They

don't really work with real people and don't have to be a RN in the first

place.There

are also some kind of nursing assistants in Austria. If you want to become a

nursing assistant you have to attend a so called nursing assistant course,

which lasts one year. After that you can work in a hospital or a nursing

home. The law allows the RN to install I/V lines but in the hospital no one

of us do it because the doctors in training are responsible for such things

Although I think that in the near future we will have to do it anyway. Up to

now in

some hospitals we were not allowed to do the injections or the instillations

but now there is a new president who is responsible for the hospitals in

Vienna, in charge, and he is a doctor. He wants to change some things in the

system because there were some scandals in hospitals and nursing homes

concerning patients neglection and giving the wrong blood type to the wrong

person.

I have some questions too, but acctually i should learn for my Abitur and

there for I write you more later.

Yours Claudia

SG15 · Jun 8, 2005

Hello,thank you for answering. Well, I 've heard that in America you have to
attend university to become a nurse. Here in Austria you attend a school
which belongs to a hospital for 3 years. After getting your diploma you are
allowed to work all over Europe as a RN. You donnot need an Abitur you
just have to be 17 years old to become a nurse. ( now I have to explain our
schoolsystem a little.First you can attend a form of elemetary school from
the age of
6 until the age of 10 after that you attend some form of highschool until
you are 14. After that you can choose to learn a job or stay at school and
get your Abitur. Four more years )If you like to become a nurse you can
leave
the Abitur school after two years and attend nursing school. There is a
nursing lecture at the university but it's only paperwork and research. They
don't really work with real people and don't have to be a RN in the first
place.There
are also some kind of nursing assistants in Austria. If you want to become a
nursing assistant you have to attend a so called nursing assistant course,
which lasts one year. After that you can work in a hospital or a nursing
home. The law allows the RN to install I/V lines but in the hospital no one
of us do it because the doctors in training are responsible for such things
Although I think that in the near future we will have to do it anyway. Up to
now in
some hospitals we were not allowed to do the injections or the instillations
but now there is a new president who is responsible for the hospitals in
Vienna, in charge, and he is a doctor. He wants to change some things in the
system because there were some scandals in hospitals and nursing homes
concerning patients neglection and giving the wrong blood type to the wrong
person.
I have some questions too, but acctually i should learn for my Abitur and
there for I write you more later.
Yours Claudia

Claudia,

Here in the U.S you can become a RN in many different ways. First you can recieve a diploma degree form your hospital but there are very few of these still around. Then you have a two yr program at a junior college and finally you have the 4 yr degree from a university. After that you have the option of going to master's level school to get many advanced degrees.

I am currently in the adult nurse practictioner program which is a master level + program. We can prescribe medication and practice as long as you consult with a MD at least once a month.

I will chat more later thks for all of your info.

have you always lived in Austria?

-Selika

starbin, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2005

It was interesting to know about the nursing systems in your countries. I am an RN from Nepal currently in USA..In my country, we have different levels of nursing programs. We have basic nursing degree of three years called []Proficiency Certificate level in nursing(PCL NURSING)and we also have a 4 year basic BSc.nursing program. We have another bachelor level nursing program called post Basic Bachelor in Nursing(PBBN), which is a two-year-course after PCL nursing. It is very compititive(we have an entrance exam,and selection is based on merit list),and to apply for the entrance exam one has to have at least 36 months of work experience as an RN after completion of PCL nursing course. In PBBN,there are three specialty areas,Hospital Nursing, Psychiatry nursing and community health nursing.One can choose to apply for one of them for the entrance exam.

And finally, we have a Masters in nursing program which is also a two year course after either Post Basic Bachelor in nursing or basic BSc. nursing. Candidates with 3 years nursing experience after their BSn or PBBN can apply for that. This is also very compititive.We have only 12 seats for candidates all over the country,and again among those 12 seats, half of them are reserved for government employees..

Until few years ago(till 1999), there were only 7 nursing schools in the country which would provide basic nursing education and that was very compititive. But with the development in all fields, and with high demand of nursing manpower all over the world, nursing education has become easy to purchase. There are more than 40 private nursing schools,opened within a 5 year period, and private nursing schools are doing good business. Similarly,there are some more Post Basic bachelor nursing schools opened in recent 3 years. Initially(until 2002) there were only 2 Post basic Bachelor nursing schools,producing altogether 60 nursing graduates each year. Now, addition of 5 more PBBN schools has opened the oppertunity to those who are not selected in the old schools to obtain their Bachelor degree from the new schools. The quantity of highly educated Nurses has increased in recent years but the question of quality is unanswered.

TMW · Jun 11, 2005

Hy, my name is Claudia. I'm a RN since 2002 in Austria Europe. So far I worked only at a medicine ward in Vienna. I'm also keen to know more about the differences in nursing in the several countries. And it is a good way to improve my English. For I'm up to getting my Matura or Abitur ( After that you can attend university in Austria). Talking about differences , well I don't acually know much about your nursing system in the States. Only what I've seen on TV on this serie called Emercency Room. I' ve heard that this Serie is supposed to be very realistic. And in some way I found it more realistic than the series we have down here. ( the quarels between the nurses and the doctors, careless mistakes, the many hours of overtime, the bad working competitions etc.) In the series we get from Germany nurses and doctors are perfect and seem never under stress, exept when there is an emercency. But back to reality. On my ward we have 37 beds ( or 37 patients, although we are not always full). As a RN in Austria you are resposible for the personal hygiene ( If you donnot understand a term please ask, because some of the word I have to look up in a dictonary and although I have a medical one, it is more English English and not American one, and I've learnd allready that some of the words aren't really in use any more), the preparation and together with the interns ( is this the right word for a doctor in training) for the giving ( don't know the correct word either, I think I have to get a better dictonary) of the injections and the instillations. Once a day there is a ward round. If we need a doctor at any other time we have to call him or her. We are not allowed to give medication on our own decission, but I have heard in some countries nurses are allowed to. We have to do a lot of the administration stuff like making appointments for X-rays etc., also we have to hand out the meals. If you like I could send you an offical descripiton of our duties. Although in my opinion it is very vage. And it would last a little because I have to translate it.
As for my person, I'm 26 years old. I live in Vienna Austria. I like books of all kind, but recencently I haven't much time to read. As I said before I'm attending an evening school to get the Abitur, after that I wanna study, but I haven't made my mind up yet what exactly. I like English , really, I try to see most of the new films or series in English, to improve it. But as you can see I still have to learn a lot. I hope you write back.
Yours Claudia

Hi Claudia! Nice to hear from you! You have a wealth of experience! Thanks for sharing :)