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

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

Specializes in med/surg.
It is very difficult to make friends where I live too.

I think these comments are the hardest ones to read. Especially as in the UK we tend to think of Americans as out-going & friendly.

We have already made friends in the area we are going to be living & they always spend time with us & just "drop in" or invite us over when we vacation. Maybe it's because it's a rural area & not a big city?

Also my son is welcomed by the local swim team every time we go over & they let him train with them for free. All the kids & adults there are so nice to us.

I find it sad that other UK nurses have found themselves so isolated.

Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.
I think these comments are the hardest ones to read. Especially as in the UK we tend to think of Americans as out-going & friendly.

We have already made friends in the area we are going to be living & they always spend time with us & just "drop in" or invite us over when we vacation. Maybe it's because it's a rural area & not a big city?

Also my son is welcomed by the local swim team every time we go over & they let him train with them for free. All the kids & adults there are so nice to us.

I find it sad that other UK nurses have found themselves so isolated.

its lovely that you have friends already out there, it makes a big difference to how you feel about the whole thing

i am lucky too i have a friend who already lives in AZ, she has been so helpful and kind during the last 12 months, that i dont feel half as scared as i probably should!

its also nice as things have worked out quite well for her, she has a good job and lives in a lovely area and has a great social life, so you get to hear some positive aspects of the whole nursing and living in the USA saga.

its unfortunate that it doesnt work like that for everyone, the way of life, work ethics, etc are not for everyone but its nice to hear that it works well for some people

good luck rgn1

I think making friends and fitting in can be hard where ever you live for us we have moved around so much just when we start fitting in we are on the move again

A friend that i worked with last year has moved to states and she has been really lucky she says the poeple that she works with are great she has a lovely big home her husband has found good work luckly his sklls were transferable. And both her children have settled well in to school and life out there she has even been offer to sort her madwifery qualifcation out for her to go back to madwifery if she wants too all this in one year did i mention she has a new car as well- she is really happy at presnt and is glad that she made the move. She says that she has suffered from some homesickness missing family and friends but that is to be expected and normal. I asked her what was the one think she wished she had known befor going she said how good life could be why did she wait so long.

I know that life has up and downs bur who knowes what life going to be like untill you try

Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
its lovely that you have friends already out there, it makes a big difference to how you feel about the whole thing

i am lucky too i have a friend who already lives in AZ, she has been so helpful and kind during the last 12 months, that i dont feel half as scared as i probably should!

its also nice as things have worked out quite well for her, she has a good job and lives in a lovely area and has a great social life, so you get to hear some positive aspects of the whole nursing and living in the USA saga.

its unfortunate that it doesnt work like that for everyone, the way of life, work ethics, etc are not for everyone but its nice to hear that it works well for some people

good luck rgn1

I take it you not referring to me :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.

It takes time to build up friendships like we had back in the UK...I have plenty of friends in work who I do call or they call me but I am used to popping to see friends for a coffee etc - people dont seem to do that as much round here. I am not unhappy about the situation just wish it was a little better but then as I said at the start it takes time................................

I have a suggestion for those of you having difficulty making friends here in the U.S. I don't know, of course, what its like to come to a different country and not know many people, but I DO have some experience with not being the most outgoing person and making friends.

I would suggest if you are religious, becoming involved with a faith group. There are a lot of opportunities to make friends and connect with like minded people in religious groups. Also, if you work with lots of women or men in your demographic, invite them over just to hang out. Sometimes you have to go out on a limb and ask someone to hang out.

Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.
I take it you not referring to me :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

dearie me, what are we going to do with you??????

linz, faith group??????

to be honest its not my thing, im not saying ive got no faith (i have) but the group thing doesnt really do it for me

It takes time to build up friendships like we had back in the UK...I have plenty of friends in work who I do call or they call me but I am used to popping to see friends for a coffee etc - people dont seem to do that as much round here. I am not unhappy about the situation just wish it was a little better but then as I said at the start it takes time................................

I know what you mean, I tend to pop out for a coffee these days rather than pop in, we have been really lucky and have made some really good friends here but initially it was different, we were used to having our friends around.

Things that helped us were our boys played football and we got very involved in that , now some of our close friends are parents of the footie team, I joined PTA, I was terrified but again I made some good friends through it.

And lastly we never turned down an invitation, exhausting but good.

I wish I had known all the liberals that are here; I would have never come here to begin with.

Specializes in CCU.

I wish I was warned about addictions: shopping addiction that is!!! Not, really, but it is very easy to spend money here, all this solicitation for one product better than the other. Haaa! A constant battle, you may make more money than in Canada but you are expected to spend it!:monkeydance:

I wish I was told how friendly people are, open-minded and willing to work together...

Make me want to leave... never!:wink2:

what i would like to know is how can an US nurse go to another country to work? maybe switzerland, canada, or some remote island. being an "older" american I can say it is not the land it use to be.

i dream of winning lotto to have money to move my family away. or i am just having the 'grass is always greener' syndrome?

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
what i would like to know is how can an US nurse go to another country to work? maybe switzerland, canada, or some remote island. being an "older" american I can say it is not the land it use to be.

i dream of winning lotto to have money to move my family away. or i am just having the 'grass is always greener' syndrome?

I would imagine the same as anyone else and apply to the country's nursing body, meet their requirements and find an employer, then go through the immigration process, spend lots of money in the process and then when ready move.

Maybe sounds a lot easier than it.

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