One thing I'd wish I'd known before going to the USA......

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Specializes in med/surg.

Hey all you wonderful nurses who have made the journey across the pond, or are nearly there bar the flights! I thought it might be fun/interesting/helpful if you could post something along the lines of "One thing I wish I'd done/known when going to the USA....."

It could be funny/informative or both & could encompass learning to live in the USA or work or the immigration process: whatever you think..........

You never know, it might end up as the best sticky on the site :D

Of course I can start it off (although I don't actually qualify as I'm not there, or even nearly yet) by saying "I wish I'd known how long it was going to take!":)

Now over to y'all..................

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Specializes in ER.

I wish I had known that Mr Bush was going to invade Iraq AND get reelected. Would've moved home instead of to the next town.

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Specializes in med/surg.

:rotfl: Not quite what I was expecting but there you go!! I should expect the unexpected here....thanks for starting it off Canoe!

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

I wish i had known how expensive medical care was................We just do not appreciate how cheap it is in the UK. MY script charge on one occasion for a pain medication and a muscle relaxant was $385

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Specializes in ER.

Hey, it's what I'm here for :D

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I'm an American in the UK and had to chime in here. I bet a lot of Brits are shocked at the lack of vacation time in the USA as well as the crap public transport.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

I wish I would have known, that there a no sidewalks here in north Texas, and you need a car to go anywhere.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I'm an American in the UK and had to chime in here. I bet a lot of Brits are shocked at the lack of vacation time in the USA as well as the crap public transport.

Must admit that did amaze me on the lack of holiday/vacation time in the US

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the biggest shock to us was the lack of work for the husbands. he was offered plenty of work at $5 and $6 an hour. so because we were in the carribean we discussed and decided for him not to work while we were there apart from the occasional painting and house sitting jobs, it wasnt financially viable for him to work and for us to buy another car and to insure it.

even here in the states we are wary of committing to the hours that they want him to work still for low wages or not for full time hours. he worked with adults with learning disabilities in the uk, but over here you need a college degree in special needs education before they would consider it, and he doesnt have that.

he had plenty of inservice and training on the job but none of that is recognised over here. so we exist on one wage.

the overtime for me is good, but i dont get much as they give ot to their regular staff first. but i could earn a weeks wage for him in one shift.

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You only want one thing? That's me out of the game then :lol2:

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Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.

im not there quite yet, but i wish i had known how long it was going to take to get there and how frustrating and 'bitty' the process was going to be.

im sure that this post will be laughable when i get there as there will be plenty for me to whine about :D

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I wish i'd known the hospital could call me off one day per pay period and it would extend the length of my contract.

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