Moranguinho

Hi everybody! I'll be probably moving to Seattle this June due to my husband's relocation. I've been taking care of all my papers but I'm wondering how difficult is to get a job as RN in Seattle... I'm a Brazilian Nurse with 5 years of experience in Medical-Surgical Nursing and had my Masters in Healthcare Management in Ireland. My Masters took 2 yeas to be completed (will finish this June) and during these 2 years, I fully dedicated myself to the course (I mean, I didn't work during these 2 years, only studied). Do you think it would be a problem to get a job? Is there any advantage in terms of salary if you hold a Master's degree? Thanks a lot.

I agree with you VanRN. Thank god I'm not the only one. I was starting to feel like an E.T.:chuckle

I completely disagree with you. I think there's no problem in working at a place like this. If you already treat well your patients, if they pay a decent salary, if they provide us good conditions... Why not? This would be a challenge. I've worked at public hospital in my country and for thousand times fluffed my patient's pillows to make them feel comfortable. I had no problem on doing that because I personally think that I have to do whatever is possible and acceptable to make my patients feel better, no matter if it's to hear their stories, talk about the weather or news, help them with the bed mechanisms. I'm a nurse and like it or not, sometimes we have to deal with much more than nursing procedures. And also very awful patients (even when you work at a place that definitely does not look like a hotel). Let's think as if we were patients: wouldn't we like to be in a place like this? Good food (according to our nutritional needs), colorful ambient, people with big smiles around us, doctors hearing our complaints... Sounds good, doesn't it? Just my opinion...

.....

A 78 years old lovely gentleman. He stayed at our unit for almost 3 months before he died of cancer. His daughter came to our unit bringing me a thank you card signed by all his relatives 1 week after his death. I couldn't hold my tears.

I work at a public hospital in Brazil. Generally my unit empties out. But the incredible is: some families leave their patients in the hospital up to the end of the holiday so they can happyly enjoy it by themselves, with no complicated relative to take care of. After the holiday, they come to our unit and ask for their discharge. Umbelievable!

The worst case I've ever seen was a boy around 6 years old. His mom fried his hands in a frying pan. The injury was bad, but worse than that was hearing him saying: "Mom, mom, I promise I'll not leave my toys out of the basket again. I promise. Please, take me home, mom." She was jailed after that.

hi all! this thread is really amazing and has been helping me a lot to update and "fix" my resume. it wasn't good (and interesting) at all... by the way, i'm also a foreign educated nurse and everybody has been posting that we should send a cover letter/ references. how do i do if all my previous bosses only speak portuguese? should i write it when i send my documents or it wouldn't be recommended? i would appreciate if someone could help me with these questions... thanks and have a great saturday!:balloons:

hi all! this thread is really amazing and has been helping me a lot to update and "fix" my resume. it wasn't good (and interesting) at all... by the way, i'm also a foreign educated nurse and everybody has been posting that we should send a cover letter/ references. how do i do if all my previous bosses only speak portuguese? should i write it when i send my documents or it wouldn't be recommended? i would appreciate if someone could help me with these questions... thanks and have a great saturday!:balloons:

So, I had another doubt about starting...:typing I'm Brazilian, living in Turkey currently, but looking for a job in Dubai. The question is all these nurses who are working with you all have post graduation courses, specialties? Is it impossible for a nurse who has 4 years experience, but no specialty, to get a job abroad? It doesn't have to be the most perfect job in the world, but at least to give me some international experience. I've been in contact with a head hunter and she has been helping me a lot. But she said I would have a better time now if I had some masters or any postgraduation course and it sounds to me like a " mandatory condition", something I MUST have, and not should have. So, now I'm a bit sad, because I can't believe all the nurses have masters except me... Of course I'm also looking for it, but it takes some time and money... What do you think? Do I have a chance without specialty or MBA, masters etc? Suzanne, could you help me with this question?:chair: Thank you...

Thank you all. I've been realizing (and learning a lot;)) about these differences. For instance: once a friend of mine just said "my hubby" and I spent some minutes trying to find out what it is. I always ask, of course! :roll I learned "husband" but hubby is new for me, as many other words as well. I love to learn new skills, but I hate being slow in the beginning (I know this is normal and takes some time)... It's so hard starting again in another country, another language.... Well, it's a new challenge!

I had the same doubt... I was just willing how would it be the 1st month? I'm experienced in my country. We use american books at university as well(such as Brunner & Sudarth), but I'm afraid of starting to work and see so many different dressings, equipments, words... Could you give me some tips if there's a way I could use to prepare myself? Thanks a lot.

Just to add another coment... Other countries look like a paradise for nurses in my opinion...:balloons: Kind regards.

Well, in Brazil if you work for a private institution, if they ask you, you have to stay. No choice. They say you're doing a "favor", but if you don't do it, soon they will kick you. Lots of competent nurses waiting for your job... In public institutions, no extra bonus either; generally, they give you a free day (it means the same amount of hours that you've worked). But at least you can say what you want to do. Whether stay and work, or go home. Since you work for the government, you can't be fired, unless if you do a huge mistake.

So sweet and polite! I had never thought about that, writing thanks-letter after the interviews, but it sounds really polite. Thanks for educating me!