Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

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Kunle Emmanuel
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Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Nigerian Nurses that have relocated abroad to practice, can you share your experience to inspire many of us at home. Share your experience not limited to the following:

1. Immigration process and timeline,

2. Settling down in a new country, the challenges and thrills.

3. The workplace experience.

4. Nursing practice Culture shock.

5. Future goals and aspirations.

6. Advice for incoming/aspiring Nurse immigrants to your country of residence.

Note... You may keep your workplace and employer's name anonymous, it is purely your decision/choice to share such.

Great Nigeria Nurses!!!
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Re: Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

An experience shared by a colleague Barbie on nairaland.
I will go ahead and share my little experience in diaspora.
As some of you may already know I was on route to USA through the cgfns process but had to stop halfway due to situations beyond my control. During my time off I decided to look into the UK which turned out to be a good idea because few months after I started the process I landed here. I highly recommend this route if you are tired of waiting in Nigeria, you can go to the uk and work while you pursue your American, Canadian or Australian dream. The last time I checked there is a big difference between 10 pounds and 10 naira.

1. I had no issues with immigration, Nursing is on the shortage occupation list so it was easy. my visa was granted within 15 working days without having a visa interview. my employer paid for my visa and flights.

2. I landed in Manchester UK in April and what hit me first was not the fancy airport or buildings, nah it was the cold. My teeth were clattering and I was trying so hard not to appear shaky. it was supposed to be spring but it didnt feel like spring to me though. The cold was real but what was more real was the wind. Everyone kept saying I'm lucky i arrived this period because it was warm and I was like well maybe its warm to you but definitely not to me.

3,4. Working here is different from how we do it back home in Nigeria, we have to explain everything to the patient and get consent before carrying out any procedure. Handwashing nkor? I now carry hand lotion in my pocket because of it, another culture shock is addressing my boss with his or her name. No more sir or ma, they dont even like it when you say mr or mrs in front of their name, secondly I only noticed this when I got here, Nigerians say the word sorry a lot even when it's not necessary and up till today I'm still guilty of this. When someone gets hurt the first thing that comes out of my mouth is sorry and he/she will be like oh it's not your fault grin grin thirdly, there is no doctor yelling at you here because that is verbal abuse, everyone does what they are expected to do and not pass their job to someone else. Lastly, you are accountable for all your decisions and actions.

5. Work, make money, further education, travel etc

6. To all Aspiring Nurses, make hay while the sun shines, NMC uk has made the process of immigrating to uk easier and faster, do not waste your opportunities, stop wishing and start acting on those dreams. There is no better time to start this process than now.
Ps. I'm still going to pursue my usa registration but until that time comes, let me jejely enjoy my pounds.
More stories and pictures coming soon.
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Re: Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

From another nurse Iyiman on nairaland
Nice reading from my pal, Barbiee, who did the needful at the right time to save time. I am happy to finally move over to the States, all thanks to God.

1. Immediately the requirements were met, it took just 6 months to get to consular interview stage, which looked like a formality because USCIS has approved the visa petition by my employer and every legally required documents have been fulfilled.

2. I landed in the US with same experience as shared by barbie, temperature was sub-zero. Picked up by my employer straight to a restaurant, then to the hotel. Then another life started.

3&4. A lot of differences in practice but the same principle. Nurses in the U.S. do a lot more than basically Nursing a patient. The 3 categories of Nurses with varying roles, but the RN to which Nigeria Nurses automatically belong leads the team. Nurses in America are critical decision makers in patient care. I was surprised to have to be the one writing consult to specialists that should see my patients after admission. To have to put in several treatment orders and sign off for the MD. For the MD to listen and go with your line of reasoning/decision in patients care. Everyone here works as a team and there's no superiority/inferiority issues.
5. Work for your money and enjoy yourself. Study further and become an authority in your special area. There are over 100 types of Nursing speciality in the US to choose from. They almost have a Traffic Nurse.

6. All Aspiring Nurses, make hay while the sun shines, the U.S. is in serious need of you. The process remains the same for now. Do not procrastinate, stop wishing and start acting on those dreams. There is no better time to start this process than now.
The U.S remains one of the main destinations. Many in other western countries are still finding their ways here.
Shalom.
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Re: Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Oluwasemilore Bamba write
Nursing here is different from what we were taught a little bit in Nigeria.

First of all, none of those procedures we do in Nigeria is applicable here.

We don't set trays for anything

There is no special bed making other than to put the sheet on the bed and most times you get a CNA to do it for you

We don't set tray for wound or bedbath

We don't do injection tray.

Nursing here is more of critical thinking and not procedural and carrying bedpan with pride.

I have a lot more to say but I'm tired, just got back form work
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Re: Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Wale Aderibigbe write
Practising as a NURSE in the UK is one of the best thing that has happened to me in recent times.

Firstly, I was fortunate to get a Health care recruitment agency who was passionate about my relocation, including financial and emotional support.
My employer supported me at every stages including visa application, flight tickets and accommodation on ARRIVAL.

Nursing practice is way different from what we experience back home as you are responsible for all your actions and your PIN NUMBER must be protected at all times.

Financially, it is more rewarding as you get paid for every services you rendered.

Advice for those aspiring to practice in the UK: first and foremost, make every attempts to write and pass IELTS and CBT, then every employer will be running after you
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Re: Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Oluwasemilore Bamba
There is no NClex center in Nigeria but you will be required to pick a centre in one of the Asian countries.

These are steps to follow:

You'll firstook for a state that doesn't require social security number like Illinois, Texas etc.

Apply for credential evaluation on Cgfns, you will be required to fill the state your state of choice which is why is important to have a state in mind that wont require the use of social security ( registration on cfns is $350.00).

You be asked to print out two different forms from CGFNS website. One for transcript from your SON and one for license verification from board of nursing. Which will be mailed directly to Cgfns from these two entities

It takes about 8-12 weeks to complete credentialing after the arrival of the last document from Nigeria.

Then you'll register on the board of nursing of the state you choose (for Illinois is $99).

After the credentialing is done, it takes one to two weeks for state to do their verification too and they'll ask you to.register clr nclex

Nclex cost $200. You'll pick your date and location.

You don't need IELTS if your primary language of study is English.

I'm tired

But i can still answer questions if this is not clear
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Re: Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Feyisayo OluFunke
Nursing in the US is different from Nigeria.
There is no hierarchy.You have your patients or your assignment on daily basis and do it.
You are paid per hour on 2 week pay check.
There are other part of health care long term short term home health and acute care which is hospital

There is no hierarchy here, if you want any new position within the same facility, you'll.apply for.it.

For big facilities, if you want to swtich, you'll have to apply and you will be considered first before an outsider.

You can send your supervisor on errand, they are not really your boss.as you guys are employed for different assignment.

You can aire you view without the fear of being laid off or anyone hating on you.

You might be employed with other nurses same day for same position with different pay rate. It's all based on your experience and bargaining power.

You get paid for the hours you put in..

You don't get paid for the days you are not there.
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Re: Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Chichi Asagwara
My experience is an interesting one
I have always tried to relocate abroad first the UK but when that was not proving possible, the US. It looked quite impossible especially when some friends were not passing the CGFNS

In 2007, i sat for and passed the CGFNS and went ahead to search for agencies online. I found one and in late 2007 applied for immigrant visa. To cut a long story short, it took a frustrating 6 years before i was granted an interview and a visa to travel under an agency who would act as my employer. Unfortunately they are not accepting foreign nurses today

Coming to America was a whole new experience for me and the culture shock was overwhelming. The agency failed to provide me with accommodation as promised so i ended up staying with a friend in NY for some months while i prepared to write the NCLEX. Already they had violated their contract as they insisted i get my license before they can provide the stipends they promised

I decided not to get discouraged by all that i passed my board and got my license. I also decided to boycott them and look for a job myself as i felt they failed me. Mind i have never paid them a dime even till now. All that was based on them keeping their part of the contract

Took me more than 6 months to get a job (by then i had moved to New Jersey) and i had already begun working on my BSN by then. Culture shock was rude as i encountered a lot of hostility from other nurses who were licensed practical nurses who felt this newbie RN was not qualified to be their senior as she is new (me 😁). I counted it all as part of the process and never let it derail me

5 years and a few months down the line today, I am almost rounding up with my Masters in Nursing program specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner tract.

If you are determined, don’t let the obstacles discourage you. They are there for a purpose. Don’t be too proud to ask questions and seek help. And develop lots of thick skin to counter the insults you will encounter.

Nursing is quite different in the diaspora than it is in Nigeria as everyone has said. Accountability is key here and your license is always guarded jealously. Documentation is important as it can save you from legal problems as the motto ‘it isn’t done if not documented’ is the watchword. I work per diem now in a few skilled nursing facilities .and with a hospice agency and enjoy working with a computer for documentation. Makes nursing easier as you are not constantly writing and writing. That was one tedious experience i do not miss in my nursing experience back in Nigeria. As a nurse, you still change patient and escort them to the bathroom. The CNAs usually are delegated to do all that but when they are busy or short staffed, we assist in those duties

Let me know if y’all have any more questions
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Re: Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Feyisayo Funke
Nursing job in the US is flexible and one can diversify to many things with RN background
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Re: Nigerian Nurses Working Abroad, Share your experience

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Ben Nduka
My experience is very interesting.

I moved from Nigeria to the UK, as an ICU Nurse, I insisted on working in an ICU, and that's how I started off in an ICU. Big step, bold step, big challenge.

If it is difficult to cope in the general wards, imagine what it would be like to start off in a Critical Care Unit abroad.

Wait for the gist when I return from work tomorrow.
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