abby
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Posts: 26
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Dec 19, 2009 22:12:05 GMT -5
Post by abby on Dec 19, 2009 22:12:05 GMT -5
heya & shavua tov!
I can't tell you how pleased I am to find this board. I have just (as of 1.5 weeks ago) finished nursing school here in Connecticut and have met exactly 0 frum nurses through my studies/rotations. So it's amazing to now find a whole collection of them!
I didn't have too much trouble going through school - was able to change my uniform to tsnius style, avoid Saturday clinical placements and exams, etc - but now of course there's the next big hurdle (besides passing the NCLEX of course): getting hired while requiring all future Shabboses off forever. I've already looked over the thread regarding this and am really relieved to see that it's worked out for other people.
I'm also really interested in aliyah but am having all the usual problems: I have a bachelor's degree but not in nursing - the program I've just completed was of the accelerated-certificate variety (it's a bona fide, accredited RN, however). I'm pretty sure by now that this won't translate into much in Israel but am holding out hope for the least number of conversion courses possible. I was in touch with Pazit Azuri at the Misrad haBriut before I started school last year and wasn't able to figure out too much about that then. I'm kind of hoping to go to Israel and talk to her again, now, before I start working - with all my transcipts and syllabi in hand - to see what she says, but I kind of doubt whether it's possible to resolve any of these educational matters before actually making aliyah.
so here I am! I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone.
kol tov,
Abby
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Dec 20, 2009 0:48:54 GMT -5
Post by achot on Dec 20, 2009 0:48:54 GMT -5
Congrats, Welcome, and Good luck!
Your bachelors would have to be in nursing to be accepted here in Eretz Yisrael, unless you're lucky..what is your bachelors in (any of the sciences?)
You still translate into an RN here,and can take courses anywhere to make up the dif.
What field of nursing interests you?
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Dec 20, 2009 1:03:39 GMT -5
Post by medic09 on Dec 20, 2009 1:03:39 GMT -5
Shalom Abby, and b'ruchah haba-ah. ;D Welcome!
Whereabouts in Conn.? I'm from Stamford originally, and taught in W. Hartford. My wife still has family in the Waterford area.
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abby
New Member
Posts: 26
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Dec 20, 2009 11:34:40 GMT -5
Post by abby on Dec 20, 2009 11:34:40 GMT -5
hi & thanks for your replies!
Achot, thanks for the welcome! unfortunately, no, my bachelors is not in any of the sciences (it's in classics). But I did have to take a number of college-level biology classes additionally in order to get in to my program... I've heard about ?22 month BA-to-BSN programs in Israel but haven't been able to get so much information on these - what I'm hoping is to be able to enroll in just a portion of these classes. Did you do anything like this, or did you do all your education chutz laarezt? I still don't really know what kind of nursing interests me - my focus now is just to get a really good med-surg background and to be safe! What area do you work in? What is it like to be a nurse in Israel vs the U.S.?
Mordechai, ty - small world eh! I'm from Norwich and so know Waterford a bit. But I'm actually hoping to move with a new job to West Hartford, in order to be part of the bigger community there : ) I don't know Stamford much, but I've heard that it's a very nice community there.
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Dec 20, 2009 21:25:45 GMT -5
Post by Rivka P on Dec 20, 2009 21:25:45 GMT -5
Welcome Abby. We are glad we found us too. May I ask how you heard about the board? I want to know where my marketing strategies are working out. ;-) Best of luck on the NCLEX. May I recommend the Hurst Review? I found it to be immensely helpful. Again, welcome and I am excited to continue hearing from you.
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Dec 21, 2009 2:05:09 GMT -5
Post by achot on Dec 21, 2009 2:05:09 GMT -5
Achot, .. I've heard about ?22 month BA-to-BSN programs in Israel but haven't been able to get so much information on these - what I'm hoping is to be able to enroll in just a portion of these classes. Did you do anything like this, or did you do all your education chutz laarezt? I still don't really know what kind of nursing interests me - my focus now is just to get a really good med-surg background and to be safe! What area do you work in? What is it like to be a nurse in Israel vs the U.S.? Wow, lotsa questions, I am really not the best source, you should talk to the source at the Health Ministry, My humble opinion is that you are probably better off finishing schooling in the US, perhaps your new employer will help pay for it and if the programs accept your BA, maybe you can go straight to get your masters degree. If you want to make aliya, learn Hebrew!! Definitely put in your years at med-surg - its your best bet career wise and will help you in whatever you want to do. I accidentally fell into long term care despite my other aspirations and found that I love it, I love being a nurse in Israel, working with mostly Jews and for mostly Jews, and helping improve quality of life for Holocaust survivors. Hope this helps!! and Good Luck whatever you decide, remember You are not always in control...its not what you do its HOW you do it that counts!!
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Dec 21, 2009 23:45:11 GMT -5
Post by Rivka P on Dec 21, 2009 23:45:11 GMT -5
isnt 22 months for a BA to BSN quite long?
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Dec 22, 2009 2:12:51 GMT -5
Post by achot on Dec 22, 2009 2:12:51 GMT -5
isnt 22 months for a BA to BSN quite long? I also thought so...something doesn't sound right....unless they are not crediting her at all for her BA credits and making her do the program as if she were a diploma nurse, then it makes sense... without being cynical I would like to think they are not just trying to fill the nsg schools... Again, I recommend finishing schooling in the states....less culture shock and probably cheaper
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abby
New Member
Posts: 26
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Dec 22, 2009 8:27:08 GMT -5
Post by abby on Dec 22, 2009 8:27:08 GMT -5
Rivka, ty! I've heard good things about the Hurst Review. I think I found the board by searching on Yahoo for Jewish nurses? I'm sorry that I forget what search terms I used exactly...
Achot thanks also for your responses. I really did want to do all my formal ed here in the States but since I've been delaying marriage etc till making aliyah I don't know that it's really smart for me to wait so much longer. I think actually school there is cheaper, though this is in light of Israeli/American salary differences of course. I'm resigned to the culture shock! I think the biggest remaining obstacle is just the Hebrew. And the convincing the Misrad haBriut that I really don't need to do their whole 22-month program...
any more advice is definitely appreciated! : )
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Dec 24, 2009 3:32:35 GMT -5
Post by achot on Dec 24, 2009 3:32:35 GMT -5
Achot thanks also for your responses. I really did want to do all my formal ed here in the States but since I've been delaying marriage etc till making aliyah I don't know that it's really smart for me to wait so much longer. I think actually school there is cheaper, though this is in light of Israeli/American salary differences of course. I'm resigned to the culture shock! I think the biggest remaining obstacle is just the Hebrew. And the convincing the Misrad haBriut that I really don't need to do their whole 22-month program... any more advice is definitely appreciated! : ) WOAH there, do not delay marriage for ANYTHING...except for finding your proper zivug... the right guy will want to make aliya with you...School for you here will be about 11,000 dollars for your degree.....good luck with the hebrew (very important) and convincing Misrad Habreeut anything( nearly impossible)... Again my humble advice, finish school and find a heilige zivug where you are, and then make Aliya...
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Dec 24, 2009 9:59:51 GMT -5
Post by medic09 on Dec 24, 2009 9:59:51 GMT -5
Shalom Abby! Although I don't exactly disagree with Achot (I wouldn't DARE; she's a manager... ), I will broaden the marriage issue a bit. When I was a young college and yeshiva student in Israel (late 70s), I had many friends who intended on making Aliyah. They "just had to finish school first", or "find a spouse", or "finish grad school so I can get a job..." Nearly all of them seemed to run into what the g'mara describes (I'm stretching it here a bit), 'they guide a person from heaven on the path he chooses.' One thing after another kept coming up. When I was asked to come to the States to teach years later, I found all those people here. Nice frum Jews with lovely families, contributing in their communities, supporting Israel from afar (and mostly impotently, as we know) - but not in Israel. In fact, some of their children were my students and are now in Israel. My point is, if you delay Aliyah more than absolutely necessary, there are many obstacles that can keep coming up. Your spouse can even be one. Your best bet is find someone in Israel, because that's the best indicator that he really wants to be there. Even then, that isn't an absolute guarantee. Next is to at least limit your dates to someone who has his own real plans for Aliya. One or both of you will have to flex to make it happen; but couples do it all the time. If you want to go to Israel because of mitzvat yishuv ha-aretz (that it is a mitzvah, and not just a nice or even holy thing to do), then treat it like the precious mitzvah it is. And hang out with like-minded people to stay encouraged and committed. Maybe contact Dr. Chaya Greenberg who runs the nursing school at Machon Tal. She might have some ideas. Judy Seigel-Itzkovich at the Jerusalem Post (Health correspondent) is another possibly good person. And, if you're serious, of course, the folks at Nefesh B'nefesh. B'hatzlaha! Hizki v'imtzi!
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Dec 24, 2009 22:42:35 GMT -5
Post by malkieh on Dec 24, 2009 22:42:35 GMT -5
I was in West Hartford, CT.. They are an incredible community that gave me the strength to start over as a single mother! They were supportive and incredible! They were there for me when I met my current husband, and all acted like my over protective family. He joked that he was surprised at how close the community felt, and that it was nice how they all cared! My new husband lives in california, so I am enjoying the "cold" winters
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Dec 25, 2009 1:10:32 GMT -5
Post by achot on Dec 25, 2009 1:10:32 GMT -5
Shalom Abby! Although I don't exactly disagree with Achot (I wouldn't DARE; she's a manager... ), I will broaden the marriage issue a bit. When I was a young college and yeshiva student in Israel (late 70s), I had many friends who intended on making Aliyah. They "just had to finish school first", or "find a spouse", or "finish grad school so I can get a job..." Nearly all of them seemed to run into what the g'mara describes (I'm stretching it here a bit), 'they guide a person from heaven on the path he chooses.' One thing after another kept coming up. When I was asked to come to the States to teach years later, I found all those people here. Nice frum Jews with lovely families, contributing in their communities, supporting Israel from afar (and mostly impotently, as we know) - but not in Israel. In fact, some of their children were my students and are now in Israel. My point is, if you delay Aliyah more than absolutely necessary, there are many obstacles that can keep coming up. Your spouse can even be one. Your best bet is find someone in Israel, because that's the best indicator that he really wants to be there. Even then, that isn't an absolute guarantee. Next is to at least limit your dates to someone who has his own real plans for Aliya. One or both of you will have to flex to make it happen; but couples do it all the time. If you want to go to Israel because of mitzvat yishuv ha-aretz (that it is a mitzvah, and not just a nice or even holy thing to do), then treat it like the precious mitzvah it is. And hang out with like-minded people to stay encouraged and committed. Maybe contact Dr. Chaya Greenberg who runs the nursing school at Machon Tal. She might have some ideas. Judy Seigel-Itzkovich at the Jerusalem Post (Health correspondent) is another possibly good person. And, if you're serious, of course, the folks at Nefesh B'nefesh. B'hatzlaha! Hizki v'imtzi! Medic, Everything you say is true (except the"manager" part, I can barely manage myself...) ( BTW where did you learn nursing?, have you ever practiced in Israel?) In general, the more you push off Aliya the harder it gets, but not really- it all depends on attitude and desire. I know many older olim (with older teens or twenty yr olds) who made a real success out of it. Money helps, but attitude is more important. However, a girl alone here in Israel looking for a shidduch, well , will need all the siyata dishmaya she can get. If you want to marry and make Aliya (as I did), concentrate your search to those who also want to seriously make Aliya... I am a believer in "Invei HaGeffen BeInvei HaGeffen". This might all be mute as Abby might seriously not be considering settling down right now... as she says her plate is full. Ironically its been my experience that exactly when you're not looking for it, it will happen. Regarding Machon Tal, I think that is more for young girls who are first starting their nursing education (no previous college) and want to learn Torah alongside the nursing. It is also more geared for Israelis. She will also have to start from scratch, and it is a 4 year program. Nefesh B'Nefesh is your best bet for Aliya advice at this time, if that is what you want. Again, I repeat, finish your professional training in the states, learn hebrew and make Aliya. Give yourself a goal for 5 years from now, and Abby, dont close yourself if approached with a shidduch prospect, Hashem sends curve balls all the time!! Good Luck, you've got your work cut out for you, but you've got Hashem on your side!!
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Dec 27, 2009 1:41:42 GMT -5
Post by achot on Dec 27, 2009 1:41:42 GMT -5
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Dec 27, 2009 10:35:21 GMT -5
Post by medic09 on Dec 27, 2009 10:35:21 GMT -5
Malki, you all are Chabadniks, right? Did you know Rav Shlomo Yaffe there? We taught school together back when the high school was just starting up.
Abby and Achot, my mention of Dr. Greenberg wasn't to suggest that Abby study there; just that she might have ideas having been on the scene in Israel in different capacities for a long time.
Abby or someone else, could you post a link and/or summary of the current requirements for an oleh/olah to get a nursing license in Israel? Rivkah, if that is done, could you make it a sticky? Seems the sort of thing we'd all want to know.
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