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

[RGN1]

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

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..................

[CHATSDALE]

not from there but enlighten me about how much vacation time you do get

cariad maybe dear hubby could get some specilized training that would stand him in good stead where ever you go..

i wanted to go to new zealand/austrailia [just for vacation] the red tape was impossible . i couldn't get an open end visa at all and i had to have it so i could travel with family when their work was available i am going to england and ireland next spring they are more flexible

anyhow we are glad that you are here invite your friends over

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

not from there but enlighten me about how much vacation time you do get

I get roughly 7 weeks holiday/vacation time and this includes all public holidays

[weetziebat]

I'll reply for my dh (from Pakistan).

He dearly wishes he'd known that the 'great' salaries here do not mean you will have more spending money. It is all taken up (and then some) in the high cost of living.

He also is utterly amazed at how, well unfriendly sounds too strong, but how 'self-involved' Americans tend to be. He comes from a culture where you always have a house full of people. You cook and share with the neighbors, know everyone on your block etc. Here we tend to stay in our homes and keep to ourselves. No one here appreciates folks just dropping in to visit.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

No one here appreciates folks just dropping in to visit.

that would please my dh as he is very much opposite to me. I like to socialise he doesn't :rotfl:

[RGN1]

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

:rotfl: Ok Letina, go ahead - you can have more then one!! Take as many as you like/need. Just stick to the TOS:wink2: :wink2:

Thanks for posting to all of you so far! It's great!

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

My second one thing would be I wish I had listened to an RN from the UK who said it was going to be a difficult transition-especially in the hospital. I thought she was talking S**t and dismissed her advice. Oh yeah and she said hubbys dont find work easily-more s**t. I SO WISH

[letina]

:rotfl: Ok Letina, go ahead - you can have more then one!! Take as many as you like/need.

OK, but don't say I didn't warn you! :wink2:

I wish I'd known I'd be working harder than I've ever done in my life.

I wish I'd known 7a-7p really means 6.45a-8.30p (if you're lucky)

I wish I'd known I'd feel so lonely.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Tina I know you are struggling you know you can phone me when ever you want

HUGS

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

OK, but don't say I didn't warn you! :wink2:

I wish I'd known I'd be working harder than I've ever done in my life.

I wish I'd known 7a-7p really means 6.45a-8.30p (if you're lucky)

I wish I'd known I'd feel so lonely.

(((((hugs Tina))))) sorry not over there to offer phone support

[RGN1]

Thinking of you Tina!

Have to say all your posts do give food for though & hopefully will at least prepare the rest of us for things to come.

MW I hear you! & have duly noted your comments!

I think I'll have to extend the remit of this thread to add "& here's how I coped with it!" For those who have been there,seen it, done it, got the t-shirt & survived!

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Hey I think if you ask most of us you will find we are stubborn come on thats what got us here in the first place, it is a long hard haul and if we weren't strong we would never have made it through that begining hurdle. So we stay and we fight and we settle. For me I had to hit rock bottom but now I am on the up, I still threaten that I am on that plane and going home but do ya know it's not daily anymore its weekly if that.

[RGN1]

That's great to hear MW! I know you've had a lot to put up with so in that sense the very fact you're still in there fighting is an inspiration to us all!

My parents-in-law would like to add something to this thread - I wish I'd known that the bacon, bread & sausages were soooo bad!