<p>Tinu Thomas applied for a nursing job on <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueProfile.io Jobs</a> and got hired as a Staff Nurse in Northern Ireland. In March 2022 she began her new job and is currently in the middle of her 6-month preceptorship at a cardiac-surgical ICU in the Royal Victoria Hospital. This hospital provides specialist services including cardiac surgery, critical care, and is the Regional Trauma Centre. </p>
<p>Tinu discusses applying for a job on TrueProfile.io Jobs, her experience moving from Kerala in India to Belfast in Northern Ireland, and the reasons she chose to work as a nurse overseas.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/1-TT-1.jpg" alt="Tinu Thomas Nursing Job Northern Ireland" class="wp-image-14758" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/1-TT-1.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/1-TT-1-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/1-TT-1-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>Tinu Thomas applied for a nursing job in Northern Ireland on TrueProfile.io Jobs.</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Hi Tinu. Please introduce yourself to our readers. </h2>
<p>My name is Tinu Thomas. I’m from Kerala and I recently joined the <a href="https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Health & Social Care Trust in Belfast (BHSCT)</a>. I arrived in Belfast on February 16th and now I work as a Staff Nurse in the Cardiac Surgical ICU at the <a href="https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/hospitals/rvh/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Victoria Hospital</a>. So after people have heart surgeries, we take care of them post-operation. </p>
<p>Soon I will do my Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) exam, and once I get my NMC PIN, I will become a <a href="https://jobs.hscni.net/Information/8/pay-bands-in-health-social-care" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Band 5</a> nurse. Currently, I am a Band 3 pre-registered nurse. </p>
<h2>What made you embark on a career in nursing?</h2>
<p>Nursing is a profession that gives me good satisfaction in combining work and caring for sick patients. It gives me good career opportunities too. </p>
<h2>Why did you apply for a nursing job in Northern Ireland?</h2>
<p>When I was doing research on Google, Northern Ireland was one of the best places to work in hospitals in a low-cost living area. In comparison to London or Bristol, rent here is quite low.</p>
<p>When I get my Band 5 nursing, I will bring my husband and 6-month-old daughter, Isabel, here. My husband is also a nurse and currently, he is minding our baby in Kerala.</p>
<h2>What were your other reasons for moving to Northern Ireland?</h2>
<p>When I was researching where to live, everyone said that Northern Ireland was a nice place to live, but that the climate is a little colder than other places. People were also saying how easy it is to drive straight from Belfast to Dublin during my time off. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/2-TT.jpg" alt="Tinu Thomas Nursing Job Northern Ireland" class="wp-image-14755" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/2-TT.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/2-TT-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/2-TT-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>
<h2>How did you find your current job and when did you apply?</h2>
<p>I had been looking for jobs in Northern Ireland on Google and then I got an email from TrueProfile.io about this job and I applied for it in September 2021. Then a team member from TrueProfile.io called me and connected me with <a href="https://www.sharpbhglobal.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sharp BH Global Manpower</a>, a recruitment group in London. Initially, I was hesitant about communicating with an agency outside of India but the Sharp BH team was very friendly and reassuring. </p>
<h2>How has your move to Northern Ireland affected you and your family? </h2>
<p>It’s a new environment and I am learning new techniques. Everything we learn here we apply that knowledge because I was posted in the post-cardiac surgical ICU. The scope of nursing is really important where I now work because if I want to work elsewhere after, this experience will help me a lot. After all, it’s open-heart surgery! </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/shutterstock_1060813319.jpg" alt="ICU Nurse Northern Ireland" class="wp-image-14489" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/shutterstock_1060813319.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/shutterstock_1060813319-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/shutterstock_1060813319-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>
<h2>Do you find your work stressful?</h2>
<p>I enjoy it, but it can be stressful because patients come to us with all their tubes post-operation. But the hospital and the technology are excellent. </p>
<h2>What benefits have your new employer, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust (BHSCT), offered you?</h2>
<p>BHSCT provided me with accommodation for the first 6 – 8 weeks and there are pension schemes too. The Trust will provide free medical treatment for my family and me. They also give us a lot of opportunities to continue learning. So once I am a Band 5 nurse, I can eventually become a Band 6 nurse. </p>
<p>I’m doing my 6-month preceptorship now, so there are procedures that I’m learning. A preceptorship is when I have to do my duty with mentors. Our mentors take care of us and we assist them during this learning period. Once capable, I can do these procedures and my duty by myself. </p>
<h2>When you arrived in Northern Ireland from India, did you begin work immediately?</h2>
<p>No, we were given our uniforms and medical appointments. We started to train, learn about Belfast and get used to our environment. </p>
<h2>What was your first day of work like? </h2>
<p>Cardiology is a new experience for me to practice during my student period, but the people here are helping us because there are many new people here. 40 new members started together and <strong>38 of us are from India</strong>!</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/3-TT.jpg" alt="Tinu Thomas Nursing Job Northern Ireland" class="wp-image-14753" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/3-TT.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/3-TT-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/3-TT-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>
<h2>Between applying for a nursing job on TrueProfile.io, getting hired and beginning your new job, how has your experience been?</h2>
<p>I have had a good experience. Next, I would like to bring my family to Belfast, Northern Ireland. I miss my daughter and husband. Other than that, I’m happy I got this new opportunity and am learning new things. Once I get my NMC PIN, my husband and child can travel and then I will truly be content. </p>
<p>The English-speaking accent is a little bit different and they talk very fast. But the people always say that if I don’t understand something, we can ask them to repeat themselves or to slow down. They are good people and they are friendly. </p>
<h2>Speaking of English, did you have to pass IELTS or OET to prepare you for your new role?</h2>
<p>Yes, I did the <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/how-to-book-an-oet-exam/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OET</a>. It is mandatory and only once I passed the OET I could then register to work here with the Trust. </p>
<h2>What is your favorite part of your nursing job?</h2>
<p>I only have to work 3 days a week because I work 13.5 hours each of those days. That makes up 37.5 hours a week of duty. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/shutterstock_1985507447.jpg" alt="ICU Nurse Belfast" class="wp-image-14491" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/shutterstock_1985507447.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/shutterstock_1985507447-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/04/shutterstock_1985507447-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>
<h2>What is the most challenging part of your job?</h2>
<p>I am an experienced nursing professional, so that’s fine. Understanding the accent here in Belfast is the challenge I face.</p>
<h2>What do you like to do in your spare time?</h2>
<p>I like to cook. I also need to learn a lot of new things to be competent. The Trust gave me a book that I need to learn and complete. And I have e-learning to do, too, which I will begin soon. We have been given 6 months to complete this training and we have weekly assignments to do to ensure our competency. At the end, we will get a certificate. </p>
<h2>Where would you like to progress your career to?</h2>
<p>I would like to stay in cardiology now because it is a golden opportunity. My goal is to make my way up to become a Band 6 nurse.</p>
<h2>How has TrueProfile.io helped you with your career?</h2>
<p>When I was searching for a job in Northern Ireland, TrueProfile.io emailed me with relevant job opportunities there and made my dreams a reality! </p>
<h3>Want to find a nursing job overseas like Tinu? </h3>
<p><strong>Apply for your ideal role on our Jobs page so we can help make your career dreams a reality, too!</strong></p>
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