HEALTH FORUM

I am planning on relocating to the UK towards the end of the year, from the
US. I have been a nurse for over 10 years here and anticipate no problem
getting licensed in the UK. I am currently doing cardiac care nursing. My
main concern is the cultural aspects. By this I mean, we do spell many
things differently, and I know the exact pecking order in my employments
power structure. I have also noted that while the vast majority of people
that I have met in the UK are very nice, a few seem to assume all Americans
are loud mouth youts. How would I be received by my patients over there? I
am, at the present, planning on living in London. There are a few agencies
that are willing to help me relocate, find a position, and provide
(subsidized) accommodation. Any advice on that? Please, I am very sincere
and am looking for as much information as possible so as to fit in
properly. My reasons for wanting to relocate to the UK are many, too
numerous to list here.
Bob

Hi Bob,
I think in practice, the cultural aspects you identify are not that big a
problem - after all, we nurses are experts in communication!
Most of us use Microsoft Software so are used to the Americanized spelling
it attempts to get us to use.
I have more problems understanding some of the words my Glaswegian (from
Glasgow, Scotland) colleague uses in comparison with another colleague from
Chicago.

With regard to some Brits having a stereotypical view of Americans - well it
is true of all nationalities that a minority will make assumptions based on
race or colour, that is their problem, not yours, let it go.

London is a multicultural city and within a hospital, hundreds of
nationalities will be represented among staff and patients. Dont worry
about pecking orders, be confident in your skills, be observant and youll
pick it up as you go along.

Best of luck,
Dee P

NewsRojosh wrote in message
news:27P0c.3566$G63.2130@fe3.columbus.rr.com...

Thank you Dee!

Bob
.
DPM wrote in message
news:atY0c.3596$x37.1096@newsfe3-win.server.ntli.net...

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 22:50:38 GMT, NewsRojosh
wrote:

Hi there Bob,
Good to hear from you. I;m glad that you are relocating from the US to
the UK to do nursing as we need all the help we can get!.

There will be no problem with regard to culture differences. It is a
common misconception that all US citizens are loud mouthed yobs. The
main problem is that because you speak english as we do,many people
assume that you are just like us. Plainly you are not. You are from a
land far away with different structures,way of life and customs. Thats
where the misunderstanding is.

Personally i find most Americans i meet to be very pleasant and
interesting people and i enjoy chatting with them. Maybe i just havent
met any bad ones but then we all have them!.

There are a few key phrases that you will need to master if you are to
be a succesful NHS nurse so just to get you started here are a few :

The most important one is,

(a) In a minute

This should be spake in a bothersome,strident tone and is used to
placate patients who seek attention. After repeating this phrase a
number of times you will find that they will stop demanding your
attention and you can then retire to the nurses station to partake
of that quintessential British refreshment,tea. Incidentally the
nurses station is a little room at the top of the ward where nurses
hide from patients.

A WARD is a long room where sick people are herded together,cheek by
jowl,irrespective of sex,age,religion,ailment.

second key phrase;

(b)Wheres the Milk Tray?

Do not be confused. The milk tray is not a vessel which is concerned
with the consumption of the aforementioned tea.

Milk Tray is a brand of chocolate comestible which is often brought in
to patients to aid their recovery,by well meaning visitors and
relatives. They are much sought after by nurses,especially female
nurses.

Other things you will need to get used to are:

(a) weekend riots in Accident and emergency waiting rooms as patients
get impatient whilst awaiting treatment.

(b)The unavailability of doctors and surgeons as they spend most of
their time at the private hospitals. Private hospitals are where some
people go if they can afford it, because cannot get treatment at the
NHS.

(c) the unavailability of simple diagnostic equipment such as X
ray,MRI scanning units etc. In The UK,well meaning people raise money
to buy diagnostic equipment and then when it is installed,it is kept
in locked buildings because there is no money or people who are
trained to operate it.

(d)Lastly,you should never tell your patients anything about their
medical condition or treatment. They would only get upset,also they
are too simple and stupid to understand and anyway,if they did know,it
would erode the feeling of pompous self importance that many doctors
have. Well dealing with patients,always speak gobblygook and use
technical medical abbreviations.

I wish you luck in your new career in the UK.

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 22:50:38 GMT, NewsRojosh
wrote:

Oh one further point Bob,give London a miss. Its not all its cracked
up to be and there are much nicer places. I am not biased but i
strongly recommend you investigate the possibility of Manchester. This
is in the North of England about 230 miles north of London. Its a
major city,probably Englands second city after London but it is less
crowded,just as developed and much more pleasant and cheaper to live
here. Accomodation and living costs in London will be horrific. Do
yourself a favour and check out Manchester!

Joe

tarquinlinbin wrote ...


... And dont believe EVERYTHING you are told - just the bit about the low
pay.

Oh and dont worry about Milk Tray - havent seen any for years.

***Celebrations - The Very Very Best (Ill have the Topic ones)
**Quality Street - Great, but made by Nestle, Baby Milk Villains. Avoid.
*Roses - Heavy on the slimiest of milk chocolate (0.004% cocoa).

1. If they bring a tin (5lb +), SMILE, say Thanks and dont eat until
theyre out of sight, it looks greedy.
2. If its a carton (8oz +), smile faintly, open immediately and search as
if the one you want is missing
3. If its a packet (eg M&Ms) say thanks, but no smiles. Ignore until donor
out of sight.

No chocks? Oh Dear .....


**PS - these rules apply regardless of sex, gender, creed, age, rank etc.
Where chocolates are concerned,

A Nurse Is A Nurse, And We Are Not At Home To Sexism