Pinay nurses as USRN's

[cEzYcHiC 0]

Hello all! It's been 2 months since my last post. It's amazing how much it changed here in VJ in 2 months. It took a while for me to figure out how to post. LOL!

Anyways, this topic is for all Pinay nurses out there who are here in the US working as RN's. I have a couple of questions for you guys out there. I recently got offered a position in a LTC facility this month. Though I have mixed emotions regarding the position and the feeling that I'm back in the nursing field. I took a year off for myself to adjust my life here at the same time to get licensed. It seems overwhelming and I just don't know what to expect.

With your current job, how was your orientation phase? I did asked the recruiter on how long the orientation phase is, but she told me that it totally depends on the employee. They don't wanna pressure new employees as we are all different and not a lot of people catch up with a snap of a finger. So, how many months did it took you to learn everything?

How was your relationship with your co-workers? I get anxious to people of higher authority---people that speaks the English language well. I speak the language good but sometimes, my nerves get the best of me and I stutter. Really, I think it's embarassing. Makes me feel soo little of myself, but I'm always trying.

LTC facility is new to me. My previous working experiences were in Labor and Delivery as well as Peds. So, its typically a different world. I haven't picked a specialty yet though I am open on trying different things to figure out if this is fit for me. Can you gimme some advices with regards on how to establish that trust and rapport with your clients? How do you greet them?

Lastly, I am scared of committing errors that may endanger my patient's lives. I know that we are not perfect and committing mistakes helps us learn. How do you avoid these?

I'm sorry this is kinda long. I would appreciate any replies or advices.

Thanks!

[Atencio 43]

Hi, not a Pinoy but I will share what I know.

A long term care facility should not be a problem for you if you have worked in an acute care facility. It is slower pace, passing out meds, doing assessments. L+D and pediatrics are usually very desirable fields for many nurses. May be tough to get into. At least here in Los Angeles every hospital I have worked at has had a large Filipino nurse population. The Filipino nurses tend to be supportive for each other.

Follow best practice when you provide care. Don't take shortcuts or get sloppy. I do quality assurance at my hospital. Almost every error can be traced back to cutting corners or being lazy.

Be confident in the care you provide your patients and you will be fine. You have had the training.

To gain the trust of your patients, just be polite and address their needs with a positive attitude. Most patients will not care where you are from. Besides, Filipino nurses have a favorable reputation.

Orientation really depends on the facility. Most will have a set amount of time depending on the unit and then offer additional time if needed. ICU's will have typically have a longer orientation period due to the patient acuity.

My honest opinion for you. If you take the job at the LTC I would continue to look for a position in an acute care hospital. You have the experience though understandably nervous. The LTC job is kind of a dead end and will not help you fully use your stagnant nursing skills. Maybe look around and see if you could get into new RN training program that many hospitals offer for specialty fields. You ever thought about Neonatal ICU?

[rheanick 42]

Hello all! It's been 2 months since my last post. It's amazing how much it changed here in VJ in 2 months. It took a while for me to figure out how to post. LOL!

Anyways, this topic is for all Pinay nurses out there who are here in the US working as RN's. I have a couple of questions for you guys out there. I recently got offered a position in a LTC facility this month. Though I have mixed emotions regarding the position and the feeling that I'm back in the nursing field. I took a year off for myself to adjust my life here at the same time to get licensed. It seems overwhelming and I just don't know what to expect.

With your current job, how was your orientation phase? I did asked the recruiter on how long the orientation phase is, but she told me that it totally depends on the employee. They don't wanna pressure new employees as we are all different and not a lot of people catch up with a snap of a finger. So, how many months did it took you to learn everything?

How was your relationship with your co-workers? I get anxious to people of higher authority---people that speaks the English language well. I speak the language good but sometimes, my nerves get the best of me and I stutter. Really, I think it's embarassing. Makes me feel soo little of myself, but I'm always trying.

LTC facility is new to me. My previous working experiences were in Labor and Delivery as well as Peds. So, its typically a different world. I haven't picked a specialty yet though I am open on trying different things to figure out if this is fit for me. Can you gimme some advices with regards on how to establish that trust and rapport with your clients? How do you greet them?

Lastly, I am scared of committing errors that may endanger my patient's lives. I know that we are not perfect and committing mistakes helps us learn. How do you avoid these?

I'm sorry this is kinda long. I would appreciate any replies or advices.

Thanks!

Not a nurse here but i would like to comment regarding "people of higher authority". Dont be nervous of them. Tao rin sila. During my teens i was anxious when i'm in the presence of doctors. When my barkada became a doctor, i realized then na tao rin lang sila. Now, having friends who are business owners, vice president of big company and PhD's, i realized na tao lang sila and i should not be anxious with them.

[ravenbow 0]

Hello..congrats on getting your Rn here in the states. I am not filipino, but i am a Rn, and i would agree with the previous post, in the fact that you should be just fine in a long term care setting. It is much slower pace, and not as intensive nursing as say a hospital acute care. I would agree also, that you should continue to search for something outside of the long term care enviroment if you want to advance your career and have a more fast paced challenging career. I appreciate the nurses who work in long term care, and I know they are good at what they do, and some really enjoy it, and maybe you will also, but as far as advancement, your best bet would be working in a hospital or continuing your schooling. Good luck to you, and dont worry about talking to authority figures. I cant speak for everyone, but for most of my work experience, employers are good at orientation as far as making sure you know the job before you are on your own. I think you will be just fine.