A few questions to UK nurses who have relocated to the USA.
1. Have you been well recieved by other RN's
2. Are you happy in your job/new city ect
3. What are the main problems you have faced in your new job
4. Do you think US nurses are better trained than UK nurses
5. What do you miss from the UK
How do you think a UK nurse could help to make the transition easier, ie what can you do to prepare for the change in working environment before you make the move.
Hi Kay, I really think it depends on where you choose to come to in the US. There are some hospitals I would NEVER work in and others where the conditions are amazing. I chose to work in a union hospital in California this time around and with the staffing ratios being mandated by law, I actually look after less patients than I did in Canada sometimes. I prefer a unionized workplace, though many US nurses don't. I also prefer being in a larger hospital and a not for profit hospital. The best thing you can do is post on this bb and members who know about the particular hospital will give you info. I did that and it helped me to pick a hospital I really like (and avoid one that looks terrible!). They were also great at providing me with the inside scoop on neighbourhoods to avoid and those to consider moving to. Some states are sort of known for bad conditions and low pay and some are known for higher pay and better jobs. The one really nice thing for you is when you come you'll have your greencard so you don't need to be tied to one hospital. There are at least a dozen hospitals within driving distance for me and they are all hiring, so I know that if things don't work out at one hospital I can find another job in a few hours. I'm sure you'll have the same options unless you chose to work in a really rural hospital.
As far as assertiveness... well we've already established that I can't keep my mouth shut and I do just fine;) I think as long as you address your concerns professionaly you will be ok. There are some hospitals that will fire nurses who stand up for themselves and their patients, but if you do some real research before accepting a position you can hopefully avoid that. This is one reason I prefer unionized workplaces. I work NICU and since we always work with the same docs, they get to know us and we work well as a team.
As far as lawsuits.... Well, I definitely think it's more of a concern here than it is in Canada. Ever hear the term "CYA" medicine? It's alive and well down here. I do hear patients' families who mention the words "lawsuit" routinely and suddenly the atmosphere changes. It's sad sometimes because I see how it impacts patient care, particularly in OB. Many docs won't offer VBACs for instance because of a fear of lawsuits. That said, I don't think about it all the time or anything. I just go to work, do my job and chart, chart, chart. Knock on wood, I've never been involved in a court case.
Hi Kay, I really think it depends on where you choose to come to in the US. There are some hospitals I would NEVER work in and others where the conditions are amazing. I chose to work in a union hospital in California this time around and with the staffing ratios being mandated by law, I actually look after less patients than I did in Canada sometimes. I prefer a unionized workplace, though many US nurses don't. I also prefer being in a larger hospital and a not for profit hospital. The best thing you can do is post on this bb and members who know about the particular hospital will give you info. I did that and it helped me to pick a hospital I really like (and avoid one that looks terrible!). They were also great at providing me with the inside scoop on neighbourhoods to avoid and those to consider moving to. Some states are sort of known for bad conditions and low pay and some are known for higher pay and better jobs. The one really nice thing for you is when you come you'll have your greencard so you don't need to be tied to one hospital. There are at least a dozen hospitals within driving distance for me and they are all hiring, so I know that if things don't work out at one hospital I can find another job in a few hours. I'm sure you'll have the same options unless you chose to work in a really rural hospital.
As far as assertiveness... well we've already established that I can't keep my mouth shut and I do just fine;) I think as long as you address your concerns professionaly you will be ok. There are some hospitals that will fire nurses who stand up for themselves and their patients, but if you do some real research before accepting a position you can hopefully avoid that. This is one reason I prefer unionized workplaces. I work NICU and since we always work with the same docs, they get to know us and we work well as a team.
As far as lawsuits.... Well, I definitely think it's more of a concern here than it is in Canada. Ever hear the term "CYA" medicine? It's alive and well down here. I do hear patients' families who mention the words "lawsuit" routinely and suddenly the atmosphere changes. It's sad sometimes because I see how it impacts patient care, particularly in OB. Many docs won't offer VBACs for instance because of a fear of lawsuits. That said, I don't think about it all the time or anything. I just go to work, do my job and chart, chart, chart. Knock on wood, I've never been involved in a court case.
Hi,
Thanks for that info I found it very helpful. Where abouts in Canada are you from.
Hi Kay, I'm from the west coast outside of Vancouver. That said, I've lived west and east and everywhere in between:) I was in Toronto before coming to the US. The weather is just so much nicer in California:) I'll probably stay here for 2 years or so before picking a new place to live.
Sounds like you have had a wonderful time travelling around and using your nursing qualification to its best advantage. I would have loved to do all that but initially i was a single mum with a very small child and couldn't imagine doing it then. Now knowing what I know I wish I had done this years ago.
My hubby is a police officer over here in Uk so we are unsure at this stage what work he will get when we move over ad our daughter is 3yrs old so not a problem, the big lad wont come. :roll
Take care and hope you dont mind me picking your brains over the coming months
Pick away:) I'll probably do the same to you... The UK interests me more and more. I'm planning a trip there in September and if I like it.... who knows? It's just me and my dog, so we can move pretty much anywhere:)
Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.
Hiya,
Yes I am going to Florida :)
I think there is problems wherever you go - you just got to make sure that you are "happy" in your new enviroment and if you arent then to move on if issues cant be resolved...part of the problem is the anxiety of moving country and uprooting your family etc and worrying whether it will work out - if you work at it hard enough it will work out (can someone remind me i said that in a few months time please )!!! LOL
My Hubby is a retired Police Sergeant (retired on ill health) - so dont know what he is going to do over there but it wont be sitting by the pool everyday thats for sure)!!!!!!
hi,
Yes in answer to your question sorry it took so long. Are you planning to go too?
I found this site in january and whilst it has been benificial to me in answering lots of questions, it has slightly increased my concerns re relocating. I so want to go to US but sometimes when I read the problems on here I actually believe there are more problems in US. Whilst lots of the problems tend to be the same ie staffing, management. Working in the NHS and being in your own country makes you more confident to speak up and attempt to tackle problems head on, because basically you have to do something very serious to get sacked from NHS, and we know this when we voice our concerns.
I worry how I will keep my mouth shut and not stick up for what I believe is right, and I dont mean I would not respect the customs and traditions of the US, I would always do that.
I must admit that until this experience I had not given credit where credit is due to the Nurses and Doctors who work in this country who have come from overseas. i have only had pleasant experience with the Indian and fillopenos who have come to work on my ward but I hadn't passed a thought to their worries, because they have never complained or appeared nervous or anxious. Big learning curve for me.
I didn't mean to imply that US nurses work harder! I am really sorry If I gave that impression. I've been to the UK, and it just seems that life itself moves at a MUCH slower pace. Its hard to explain.
I didn't mean to imply that US nurses work harder! I am really sorry If I gave that impression. I've been to the UK, and it just seems that life itself moves at a MUCH slower pace. Its hard to explain.
No offence taken. Just curious where have you visited in UK and where are you from in US???
The big cities here in Uk run at a fast pace, I would say that London is = to New york.
Manchester again is a hard fast city, as is Liverpool and Birmingham ect ect.
In the smaller towns then yes it is slower but then i have lived in rural parts of Ohio and have never been to such a slow paced place.
I think it may be where you come from and where you visited.
fergus51
6,620 Posts
Hi Kay, I really think it depends on where you choose to come to in the US. There are some hospitals I would NEVER work in and others where the conditions are amazing. I chose to work in a union hospital in California this time around and with the staffing ratios being mandated by law, I actually look after less patients than I did in Canada sometimes. I prefer a unionized workplace, though many US nurses don't. I also prefer being in a larger hospital and a not for profit hospital. The best thing you can do is post on this bb and members who know about the particular hospital will give you info. I did that and it helped me to pick a hospital I really like (and avoid one that looks terrible!). They were also great at providing me with the inside scoop on neighbourhoods to avoid and those to consider moving to. Some states are sort of known for bad conditions and low pay and some are known for higher pay and better jobs. The one really nice thing for you is when you come you'll have your greencard so you don't need to be tied to one hospital. There are at least a dozen hospitals within driving distance for me and they are all hiring, so I know that if things don't work out at one hospital I can find another job in a few hours. I'm sure you'll have the same options unless you chose to work in a really rural hospital.
As far as assertiveness... well we've already established that I can't keep my mouth shut and I do just fine;) I think as long as you address your concerns professionaly you will be ok. There are some hospitals that will fire nurses who stand up for themselves and their patients, but if you do some real research before accepting a position you can hopefully avoid that. This is one reason I prefer unionized workplaces. I work NICU and since we always work with the same docs, they get to know us and we work well as a team.
As far as lawsuits.... Well, I definitely think it's more of a concern here than it is in Canada. Ever hear the term "CYA" medicine? It's alive and well down here. I do hear patients' families who mention the words "lawsuit" routinely and suddenly the atmosphere changes. It's sad sometimes because I see how it impacts patient care, particularly in OB. Many docs won't offer VBACs for instance because of a fear of lawsuits. That said, I don't think about it all the time or anything. I just go to work, do my job and chart, chart, chart. Knock on wood, I've never been involved in a court case.