Ukrainian guy needs help!!!

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 8, 2009

Maybe you could get into some English Literacy Programs. I would imaging you could do it if you can get help and tutoring and stuff to help with the language barrier part. I have seen many people do nursing school that did not have a huge English vocabulary, that came here from other countries. Check with your local college and see what resources they have.

FLmomof5 · Mar 9, 2009

Actually, from your post, you seem to have a better command of the english language than many of the other foreign, US employed nurses who post here. (Not an attack on them...a compliment to you!)

The challenge that US students have in NS is that there is an extraordinarily large volume of information to learn with a very short period in which to do it. If you notice the GPAs of the posters, they are all very high! The material itself is not all that "hard" just the adjustment to the sheer amount!

If you have good study skills, you should be able to make it.

With respect to your english skills....there is a great language program called the Rosetta Stone. It can be purchased for a few hundred. Here is a link:

http://www.rosettastone.com/personal/languages/english-american

If you notice, this is for American English. You really need to study American English specifically. Although there are many different countries that speak english, we have so many idioms and colloquialisms that it can be very confusing for non-native speakers who learned "the King's English" (aka: British English)

I hope this helps! Good luck and welcome to the US of A!

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Mar 9, 2009

I think you do quite well. Your english is, as FLmomof5 said, quite good. I think your vocabulary will increase along with your learning. Don't forget we don't just pop out as nurses, we have to learn the lingo as well. Start with the easier pre-requisites and as you get more difficult your vocabulary will increase, especially medical terms. If I were you, I would carry a dictionary with you or maybe a translation one, although I don't know if it would have all the medical terms you may need.

Good luck to you!!

Accelerated25 · Mar 20, 2009

Hi, Sergey1989!

I am from Ukraine too. I came here a little less than 2 years ago. I also had troubles understanding what people were saying at the beginning, but the more you are exposed to people the more you start understanding what they are saying.

If you are not sure in your English, I would recommend you to try to find a simple job somewhere at the hospital or generally any job where you can practice your English. You can take English classes at the community college as well. There are also 2 weeks classes for Certified Nursing Assistants where you can get a little more familiar with medical terminology and medical job in generally. It would be a good base for your nursing profession in the future and it would help you a lot....

If you have any questions, let me know.

If you

Hi!

I have just come to the United States from Ukraine and soon I will receive a Green Card.I'm considering nursing as a profession and I am looking for your advice.First of all I really doubt that I could make it through Nursing program because of my English(it's pretty good, but not perfect.My vocabulary is about 6000 words,but sometimes it can be difficult for me to understand what people are talking about).What do you think?Is it possible?(I read on this site how difficult it is for Americans to study in the Nursing school and I can only imagine how difficult it will be for me).And I was wondering how can I prepare myself for prerequisite classes and the actual program.I mean what could you suggest me to do to enhance my vocabulary and things like that (maybe some books or Internet sites).I REALLY want to become a nurse and help people.

THANK YOU!!!

WarrenpeaceRN · Mar 21, 2009

Hi Sergei

I'm not sure where you live. I'm in the pre-clinical nursing program at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn. There are more than a few Russian immigrants in my classes, and they are doing well from what I can tell. Check out the Kingsborough website, maybe there is a Russian student or Russian nursing student organization that could give you good advice.

http://www.kbcc.cuny.edu/index.php

I say GO FOR IT!

As another poster mentioned, your English is much better than you realize. Yes, American students complain about how difficult the courses are, I do to. But, dedication and focus go much, much further than language skills.

Also, you will find a great deal of support from your fellow students and faculty. Besides, places like New York City need Russian speaking nurses! You'd be providing a very valuable service.

Focus on what you do have...motivation, desire, curiosity...these are much more important in getting through a nursing program than language skills.

Good luck!