[lindajax]

Hi All,

I'm not sure if this will be relevant to a lot of people but I feel My story of entering the NZ job market is pretty wierd so I thought I'd share my experiences to date.

Way back in April 2004 when we decided to really go for it and come to NZ I emailed a number of District Health Boards with CV etc asking for vacancies.
I recieved a number of replies and a job offer on the strength of an emailed CV!! and it was in my field of expertise (paediatric Burns and Plastics nursing). :clap
With job offer etc secured we emabrked on the process of emigrating.

My employers - paid for our accomodation and car Hire for 2 weeks on our arrival and off I go to work ( they kept the position open for 10 months which I think is pretty amazing!) :nice1

Started work as a paed burns nurse 2nd Feb ( they gave me My first day off because it was a bank holiday - very generous!)

I commence at 7 am and meet with various people I have corresponed with via email for the previous 10 months.

During these hello's one person asked me casually what I had in mind for my career - my reply was ' the master plan is to do about 9-12 months staffing to get a feel for the organisation then I plan to go into Nurse Education as I have done a teaching cert and love teaching' - end of conversation.

Next day First person asks ' are you seriously wanting an educational role?' - my reply 'yes'

Next day - my manager and the the clinical nurse manager take me aside and offer me a post as a Clinical Nurse Educator - down side is it is in Gynaecology - they had looked at my CV and noted Gynae experience 10 years back. Plus side its a $12000 pay rise and in education

Not to look a gifthorse in the mouth I take the post with the condition that it is a secondment and if I hate it I can have my original job back. The master plan is implemented early!

During another conversation with the unit Nurse Educator she expresses how good it is to have a like mind around with an educational focus - I think nothing of it until she says ' you should be doing this job you'd be much better than me' .Feeling a bit perturbed I smile and say that I'd done loads of education in the UK and was very passionate about educating nurses. Also I am new and you tend to be more enthusiastic when your new - she identifies this and the conversation moves on -



Feb 7th start new job - and I love it. The unit I'm in has had major crisis over the last 12 months and poses many challenges - I get stuck in!!
Iafter initially finding it very difficult and feeling challenged daily I start to see soem positive changes and begin to get lots of postive feedback - I think I'm doing OK at this point!

2 days later the Nurse ecuator for Paeds resigns and I am asked if I will apply for the position - I don't as it is only 5 days per fortnight - too few hours for me. My manager expresses her disappointment and we leave it at that.

Getting busy, I am forming networks around the Hospital and trying to get some educational input for the Gynae unit.

Then one day I get and email from radiology manager to say he can do an education session for me -and he also offers me another job - quite out of the blue - I have never met this person but aparrently he's heard of me!. I pass this off as a wind -up and go about my business. He emails again with said offer. I meet this manager when he comes to do the session and he offers me a choice of 2 jobs in person saying that when I want a senoir job in his department give him the nod - I am flabberghasted to say the least.

Next development - A Burns Nurse Specialist post is advertised - I apply
get interviewed 3 days after and offered a secondment to the role - I turn the secondment down as the closing date for applications hasn't ended and I feel due process should be followed. However, feedback from the interviewers indicate the postion is mine - I'm amazed but not counting any chickens - the closing date is 4 weeks away!

In the meanitime the Burns and Plastcis Nurse Educator emails me to let me know she is resigning and asks me to apply for her job - not to be unexpected I suppose I have 10 years of Burns and Plastics expereince but I do feel this is a little wierd.

I apply and have an informal chat to the manager who interviewed me for the last position in the service - she indicates I could choose between the two posts as she had already decided the Burns Nurse Specialist post was mine - I choose the Educators Role - simple as that ! the interview took place over coffe in the hospital coffee lounge :yes

I am now working my notice! :eek and am set to take on the new role within a few weeks :eek

Since coming to NZ I have had or been offered a grand total of 7 jobs - In the Uk I struggled to get recognition for my learning and effort that I put into my work... here it is a different matter I have found if you are innovative, enthusiastic and up for a challenge you are snapped up sooooooooooo quickly your feet don't touch the ground.!!

I know this isnt the case for every nurse who comes here - the postive attitude really counts for a lot though. I have met several British Nurses who have not progressed here but on speaking to them what they lack is the positivity and enthusiasm to move forward.

I hope this story can be of inspiration for someone - I have done SO well here in a very short period of time after working my A*** off in the UK and sacrificing big time then getting knowhere fast.

I haven't come here and done anything that I feel is particularly fantastic but I think the fact that I have worked hard before getting here has now paid off - maybe if I had got this kind of recgnition I wouldn't have ben quite so keen to leave the UK - who Knows - I tend to think it would have not been so easy to leave if I had felt appreciated in my job in the UK.

To all prospective emigratees sometimes it is a happy ending, sometimes your dreams really come true - POSITIVITY is the key to it all.

GOOD LUCK
Love
Linda x

[Douglas]

What an inspiring story Linda. :clap

[Nicola]

Wow Linda, well done. :clap :clap

Not in nursing myself, but I do agree about the positivity comments. In the small amount of cases where I was an interviewer, positivity and enthusiams are what count every time.

Good luck with your new job.

Nicola

[annaerb]

Linda,

Congratulations & All the Very Best :clap :clap .

Hope you went out and celebrated your 7 job offers :cheers


Carol

[Milliemoo]

Great post Linda....really pleased for you :clap

Milliemoo :nice1

[Jo and Andy]

Fantastic, what a whirlwind though.

Good to feel valued in what you do and use what you have learned.

Perhaps one day things will become a bit more like that here,

[Simon & Emily]

Wow Linda - how great for you. Finally having all your hard work appreciated.

Inspiration for the rest of us indeed.

Emily

[Singel]

Hello Linda

CONGRATULATIONS :clap

It's great to know that NZ offers you such a fantastic career prospect.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us :cheers

SUCCESS and GOOD LUCK :nice1

[Marie P]

wow great post Linda :clap :clap

best wishes

Marie x

[kiwidollie]

That was a fab post Linda. :clap

You are so right about positivity and enthusiasm being mega important.

A lot of people expect to get what they want without having to put a lot of effort in or really graft.

It's great to hear that someone's hard work and tenacity has paid off.

Long may you live your dream - :nice1

I can't wait to get over there and start living mine x :yes

[Soon2baKiwi]

What a wonderful start you've had Linda. Well done. Talk about hitting the ground running - you're sprinting :clap

[jo b]

Eh Up chuck but your wigan accent floored them really and they just couldn;t understand what you were saying go on admit it.

Only kidding.

I couldn't be more pleased and I have got to say you are one of the most positive and bubbly people I have met in my time (thats 'cos you a wiganer too). Also Linda you a clearly passionate about your work and that just oozes out of you.

Watch out Chief of Nursing here comes our Linda :clap :clap :clap

An inspiring story

Take care and give hugs to Lucy and a small one to Ali whilst he's not well.

Jo

[Diny]

What they're really saying at that hospital is .......'ay - have you heard that funny accent on that new bird from England ....... it's reet funny'.

Don't be fooled mate, they just want you in their dept for the entertainment factor :eek :eek :eek

Now you know I'm only joking. That is brilliant news, what an inspiring posting. Who'd have thought those few months ago when we were all sitting in the Salt Cellar that this would have happened.

I agree with the positivity and enthusiasm bit. I used to interview people every day in my old job and those who just kinda shrugged and didn't really tell me anything about their 'game plan' would have their records put away in 'file 13' .........(waste paper bin).

Good on you Linda, so pleased for you.

Diny

[jan]

As everybody else has mentioned what a great post Linda :nice1 . Although I never met you, me joining the NW forumites when you had gone, I have heard so much about you.
Eh Up chuck but your wigan accent floored them :laugh

Its got to be, us Wiganers are pure gems I do believe.

Well done. Might you need a receptionist in about 2 weeks time? We are coming.

[bbq]

Linda

What a post.... It was a page turner, coz I was expecting a "Then this happened....- you know when it all goes wrong"...but it never did....

just awsome


all the best

alex :clap :clap

[Mildred]

Linda it was worth waiting for your updates. Good on you girl. Now, how is Ali's chest ;)

[nessie]

Linda

I'm fairly new to this forum but have read many of your updates with interest. I have to say that you sound just the sort of positive person who deserves that kind of treatment. I just hope I can show my real enthusiasm for my field of work as you have when we reach NZ (fingers crossed) as I have had a bummer of a year at work in the UK.

Good for you :clap :clap

[leslie]

this is the essence of why we chose nz - nice confirmation.

[Suzy Rimbo]

Wow Linda well done :clap

It's none stop for you and very much deserved, positivity is sure the key!

When john went over, i think i was more sure than he was that he could do it, he as that positive attitude and outgoing personality, they loved the fact he was honest and upfront as to what he wanted and were he wanted to be.

How is the family? are you all settling in nicley?

Big hugs O O O O O and congratulation Linda :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

Love

Suzy

x

[lindajax]

Thanks to all for thier congrats and positive comments!

Ali is still poorly I'm afraid but I'm sure he'll be better soon - Damp rental methinks!!!!

We feel we have settled in really well here and maintain even when we've felt lonley and a bit down ( and Believe me at times we have) that everything takes time -
Time to adjust, make friends, find places, work out the accent etc etc etc. Thats how we have remained positive - we have always said it would take us a couple of years to REALLY settle and have ourselves sorted........ anything we are experiencing now is a huge bonus! so we are loving it!

Linda x

[Hannah-NL]

What an inspiring story Linda, they were really "after" you werent they? I bet this might happen a few more times in future too, but well from what I've seen of you and the work you do, you deserve it to the fullest :nice1

[xanctus]

Linda,
fantastic and inspiring story indeed...it has come to all of us that we should keep being POSITIVE in our journey in NZ.

[sarahw]

Linda,

So great to hear how you're getting on & that its been really positive for you.

Congratulations on the latest new job & I hope you'll really enjoy it!!!

:nice1

[lidax]

Hi Linda

Glad to hear your talents have been recognised in NZ......good for you!!! :clap

Thanks for sharing your story :nice1 ....it's one reason why we're heading south....

best wishes

Lida

[Babette & Andy]

Your enthusiasm and positive attitude shines through in your writing Linda :nice1 Blown away by the opportunities that have been presented to you in such a short space of time, they obvisouls know a Goodun when they see one :clap The UK's loss is soooo NZ's gain :nice1

Hugs to Ali & Lucy

Babette

[Michelle and Richard]

Hi Linda

Bit slow on the forum recently and have just read your update, blimey I could do with more stories like yours. So many people expect to come out and do exactly the same as they were doing in the UK and refuse to compromise. I always say take a step back in the short term and you will reap the long term gains if you have the right attitude. You obviously have, well done.

Michelle

[lindajax]

Well Guys,
Its 3 weeks into the new job - Clinical Nurse Educator for Burns and Plastic Surgery.
HOW HARD has the last 3 weeks been.
BLIMEY - I've not known whether I've been coming or going but at last it is settling down a bit.
Pcked up a lot of EXTRA stuff with the job - wound care referrals by the million :eek
and
I am now a course co-ordinator at Auckland Uni.... how bizzare!!! - don't really feel up to this role but I am assured by the Uni it'll all come good :exit

It is amazing what has happened to me - I feel so lucky to have landed on my feet despite the current trip-ups ( early days in the new job - making an a*** of myself quite regular;y at the mo)

I hope that this story can inspire people-- I initially took a large drop in salary and a step back in my career to get here - I was willing to compromise and be positive that it'd all work out in the end..... It did!!!!

Linda xxx

[Diny]

For Gods sake Linda ...... when you have a spare month or two write a book !!!!!!

You're story is amazing, and (not wanting to fall into sycophantic mode) is a wonderful inspiration to so many of us.

We hear so much talk about drops in wages and steps back (regarding careers) ..... you are walking proof that if you have the b***s to do it then it can, and will, work out.

Hold on ....... I can feel a few of my favourites coming on:

You reap what you sow.

Have faith.

What goes around comes around.

It all comes to she who waits.

Leap and the net shall appear.

Ohhhh .... I always like using those old faithfulls.

Good on you !!!!! Keep it going.

Diny

[jo b]

Diny

I've a few of them,
Linda I don't they are appropriate for your situation but for those of you who know my humour.....

A bird in the hand is worth 2 in a bush

You don't get many of them in a pound

Never cast a cloud till may goes out

every cloud has a silver lining

It's the tail waging the dog

the more ball you throw up the more you will catch

That's not a heat rash get to the doctors (sorry wrong forum :laugh )

Anyway just to explain myself me and a colleague always start reeling these off whenever one of us says this little colloquial (sp) sayings and it just started me off.

[Babette & Andy]

I hope that this story can inspire people-- I initially took a large drop in salary and a step back in my career to get here - I was willing to compromise and be positive that it'd all work out in the end..... It did!!!! without question you are a great inspiration :clap :clap :clap
Babette

[GeorgeM]

I think that this illustrates an important aspect of the career market in NZ.

There are not necessary zillions of people queueing up for every opportunity, so when a need arises it might just come looking for you rather than the other way round (I assume that you didn't expect to be co-ordinating a course at one of the country's top universities...).

There is a certain amount of luck involved, and of being in the right place at the right time, but those with ability and the willingness to work hard seem to be able to get into the right place and to generate the luck more often than would be the case in the UK.

The smaller gene pool means that you can get on with doing a competant job in your day to day employment and yet still get noticed for bigger and better things without having to make a whole career out of self-promotion.

[lindajax]

George,
How true that sometimes opportunities come looking for you - I was happy initially to just have a job and then implement the master plan once settled and established - I did get noticed at record speed which may not have been the case if my initial job was in another area- it definately had a lot to do with Luck and willingness to accept a challenge with positivity and a good deal of enthusiasm.

It could have gone horribly wrong if I had not really been up to it though :eek

thanks for all the positive feedback
I'll keep you all posted!!!
Linda x