[lindajax]

Hi all,

Thought I'd share the most Bizzare week I have ever had.

Was posting last night 3-4am so to those people that were up and read my posts ---- Yes I was very very drunk at the time!!!!!!

Anywhooz, this week has been our first working week in NZ.
We started on Tuesday- Ali at his place in newmarket and me at Middlemore Hospital in the Kidz first Paed surgical suite.

I did post earlier about my first day and the Bus disaster so I'll not redo that one.
Wednesday came along and my Clinical Nurse Educator had asked me the previous day where I wanted to go once I was established and said she was a bit bemused as to why I had only gone for a Nursing role .... I would have taken a cleaners job to get here!!!!! But I did tell her My skills were in teaching and I planned to go on to my masters and then possibly lecturing.

She then told me I was wasted as a Clinical nurse and That I was more qualified than her...... and there were Educators posts about.
I thought nothing of it and just nodded etc.. you know how it is when you're new you're not sure if it is just chatter!

Thursday came around and I was called to a meeting with the Clinical Director of Nursing and OFFERED A NEW JOB as a Clinical Nurse Educator!!!!!!
It may be that it is a job that no-one wants ... unit in turmoil.. expansion and relocation going on... poor staff retention.... no leader at the moment .... staff dissollusioned and stagnant BUT I am so up for a challenge and I figure if I can Sell up, Pack up and come Half way around the world I may as well just go the whole nine yards!!!

In the Uk My qualifications ( and I have a lot!) counted for nothing... it wasn't what you knew but who's a*** you were willing to be up to get a good job etc ( I bet that sounds familiar to lots of people eh?)

So... friday came along .. Met with unit managers and Lead Clinical Nurse Educator and all the paperwork was sorted as I sat there!
I start my new job MONDAY!

It is a HUGE pay increase Lovely hours ( 9-5, 8-4 whatever i want really) and No weekends....

I hope it works out and is not too good to be true...

It has to rate up there as one of the most bizzare weeks I've had I didn't even get a chance to learn the staff names before I've left!


Alis week was pretty barkin as well, he mooched about the whole week just getting to know people-- no expectation from the boss to sit and work his tail off.
Morning tea --- muffins and coffee (free from boss) and nice chats with all staff by boss.
Friday ... Pizza and beers etc at the office before going home.
Family outing next weekend.
We are amazed at how the work ethics here are geared to retention and the morale of staff. I thing that is VERY lacking in the UK.

Just more differences between the Uk and here .
It seems that if you are motivaed and up for it things will happen for you.....My head is still spinning from it .. I am overjoyed!

Anywhooz thought you'd all wanna know the next instalment

love Lindaxx

[jan]

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap
Linda well done.

Your posts are great. Congratulations on your promotion!!!
Made my hubby and I smile about Ali's muffins & pizza.. Huh????

Have a good Monday. :hopeso

Jan xx

[StevieD]

Linda, great news! Diny posted us with the details at the meet today. Love the bit about the work ethic in NZ. Refreshing to know........

Hope you enjoy the photos from the meet today and the ensuing comments and competitions that will inevitably follow ;)

Catch ya soon

steve

[Lil]

Good for you Linda! Congratulations on your new job, I take it you won't be having a leaving do for the old one. Hope it goes well. :clap

[Dave & Sandra]

Absolutely delighted for you Linda. What a success story - congratulations. You'll be the Clinical Director before long at this rate. :clap

[kiwidollie]

Wow what a week!

It is really inspiring to read posts like yours. One of the main reasons we want to leave the UK and make a new life in NZ is the way people are valued more over there.

You work your @rse off over here and its just taken for granted - then they want you to work even harder!

Soooooo looking forward to being where you are.

x

[foolsgold99]

Well done Linda!

Hmm, maybe I will work after all and not send Al out to earn all the $$$

I hate it here that you can be well qualified, good at your job and get nowhere unless you brown nose alot!

[Kim39]

Linda,

Talk about not letting the grass grow under your feet. Well done. You can show them what us brits are made of.

Elaine is asking "you looking for a PA by any chance" she's got references!!! :nice1

Your's and Ali's presence was missed today but we carried on regardless.

Kim

[Diny]

We did try ..... really we did.

I had visions of you with the coffee table covered in empty glasses waiting for the 'connection' .... you missed one heck of a day - it was a cracker.

Your week sounds brill ..... abit wierd ..... but brill. Good on you.

Hope the new job (as opposed to the old job that lasted 2 days) is all you expect.

By the way - tell Ali I passed the test !!!!!!! ;) ;) ;)

Diny

[sarahw]

Linda - well done! Sounds like you've had a really great week! Good luck in the new, new job! :hopeso

[Moorf]

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

I vaguely remember you telling me at 3.30am this morning :? .. it wasn't a dream.. it was TRUE!!

:nice1

[leslie]

how funny is that! doncha love it when great things happen that actually make sense. incidently

..hire me hire hire me....

i too will do anything to get out your way ... am esp good at making spiked coffee which is a huge morale booster.

if anyone hears of any open propsects for tea ladies...

isn't it great to live in a place where ability matters?

[jesselyn]

well done, linda! http://www.my-smileys.de/smileys2/1jump.gif

hugs,
jes

[Babette & Andy]

Unlike in the UK, it seems that your new Clinical Director nows a 'Goodun' when he sees one :clap Amazing week, and so well deserved. You guys are a great success story here on the forum :nice1 Keep the updates coming.

luv Babette xxx

[jo b]

Linda,

wow that is very encouraging that they appreciate and value your skills.

It must have been a real morale booster for you.

Well done you

Jo :nice1

[Annierobrigado]

hi linda and ali

what a nice story, that's so encouraging to hear. hopefully i would be able to duplicate what happened to you. :mrgreen:

um, by the time i get there, you probably will be clinical director already... maybe i could submit my cv to you so i can work there in your medical center? ;) ;) :laugh :angel :mrgreen:

anyway, keep us posted!

annie :cheers

[Tara Sage]

Well done Linda

That is unbelievable, hope it all works out for you!

Good Luck in the new job

[lindajax]

Hi All,

Well I've done 4 days of the new new job and all seems hunky dorey.

Still feel like a stunned mullet but my blank expression or idiotic smile seems to have endeared people to me :oops: .

My new job is very much independent working with no direct manager or person to report to so I can sort of organise myself :yes .

This week has been mainly finding my feet but I'm sure next week will be more of a working week :eek .

The most surprising thing is how helpful, friendly and sympathetic everyone seems to be to my situation :nice1 ..... start one job and before I've finished my 3rd day get offered another.
The people here seem to have the attitude that if you are qualified to do it and want to that they'll try thier best to sort you out!

Started making a couple of friends now - tentatively.
It is strange though its very hard to know how much to be yourself .... you don't want to scare them off or make them think your a bit aloof ... balance.
NICE SMILE >>>> DON'T LOOK TOOOOO DESPERATE!!!!! :laugh :laugh

Ali is enjoying his job --- but his office is a little on the reserved side ... Give him time he'll whip em into shape!

Lucy is happy in Nursey and has a little pal (Like peas in a pod) and I am bringing her frien home with us 3 nights a week for 1/2 hour to help her mum out ( I know what it is like to struggle with child care for the sake of 1/2 hour!) and she's offerd to take Lucy overnight if we need a break but I'll leave that for now ( I know I'm not yet comfortable with the idea ... a bit neurotic when it comes to Lucy)

SO Upto now everything has gone very well ... we are sort of waiting for something to go horribly wrong :uhoh

anywhooz bored you all daft by now
Love
Linda xxx

[Jon]

God - Some people would be happy with getting just one job........
WELL DONE, hope everything goes well.
Cheers
Jon

[Diny]

Well done you !!!!!!

Will PM you soon with news. Sounds like all is going well.

Goo on you.

Diny

[Tate6]

Linda-
So happy to hear things are going so well for you and yours! :nice1

It is nice to hear how something so great can come along so unexpectedly. You deserve all you are getting!! Congrats! :yes

Keep us posted--even the everyday is exciting for us still trying to get there!

Terry

[lindajax]

Well,
Things have gotten a bit more bizzare.

In post less than one week and my first 'project' was foisted on me on Friday whilst I was observing an area of practice.

I am to aid (do they mean! because the nurse who provides the service is not an educator) planning, formualtion and delivery of an education package to the community workers for all 8 Primary Health Organosations in South Auckland ..... Media Launch next Thurday!! :eek

The poor nurse is a shell shocked as me - she'll have to do the stats etc and provide me with the relevant info BUT......
I will have to devise a promo poster , invites and programme of study and then present this to the PHOs Thursday.

Luckily the Media Launch will involve the service I am promoting - Not me so no photo in the press thankfully! ( so they tell me)

Well I think its a case of sink or swim - the education and teaching etc is no problem its my lack of undersatnding of the organisational set up and so I will have to do some SERIOUS networking on Monday.

Theres nothing like a challenge - I thought just getting the job so quickly and not even applying for it was Bizzarre but a project like this by the end of the first week is............... bonkers!!

I'll keep you posted as to whether I get the sack next Thursday afternoon or not :laugh

Love Lindaxxxx

OH BTW is anyone goin to the Kart racing in the Domain this Sunday _ looks fun!

[SoCal Gal]

Hi Linda,
I absolutely loved your story, and am very happy for you and the family. I've always been the person who's life gets turned upside down in a day, I can relate! Sounds like it will all be fabulous, and I appreciate what you said about making friends.....I am always laughing, wear bright colors and tell terrible jokes....I have been a little afraid that a few people I have met in NZ have wondered how to take me, so I'm toning it down. My husband told me I looked like Pippi Longstocking when we went to Wellington last winter and many people were dressed in black for office attire (outer jackets). Anyway, Linda, please write more about office life, this is very interesting and probably will be to a lot of us soon-to-be-NZ-workers!
All the best,
:cool

[lindajax]

SoCal,
the clothes thing made me titter a bit --- imagine this ....
first day in new job... Asked to atend a meeting ... everyone wearing either black or uniform.... me in a white top and floral skirt ... sort of stood out a bit.
next meeting ( I don't learn me!) ame type of scenario me in green blouse and white 3/4 trousers BUT someone else had a flower in her hair so I felt ok.

I hate office attire - no need for it you can still look professional in other colors than black and darks. It summer for heavens sake.

DON'T tone down!!
I went out today in Pigtails - and have done for years ( I'm 37 by the way) I am a great believer in you are what you are and be yourself .
I have found in NZ people are generally the same and my attire has had only positive comments and compliments so don't be woried be loud and proud!!!!

love Linda xx

[Milliemoo]

Hi Linda,

I love hearing what going on since you arrived, but OMG what a week! :mrgreen: Just think of the sense of achievement you'll have on Thursday afternoon. And lets face it if, sorry when, you get through this, you'll get through anything! :P

I think you should have your own little section on this site to tell your story. That would be cool.

Milliemoo :nice1

[SoCal Gal]

Hi Linda,
Love it! Be loud and proud in one's attire! And you are right, I too got several positive comments about my pink jacket and purse shaped like a teddy bear! And I am with Milliemoo, I would love to hear your own version of "The Office" so please keep us posted!
All the best,
SoCal :cool