Healthcare Traveler - November 2008 - (Page 36)

Before I knew it, I was on my way. I departed from Los Angeles International Airport for Wellington, New Zealand. The 14-hour direct flight was extremely comfortable. I slept most of the way, dreaming of my assignment at Hutt Hospital—New Zealand’s first Magnet Hospital—in Lower Hutt and of adventures yet to come. Admittedly, I was curious to find out for myself if water truly does go down the drain backwards in the Southern Hemisphere. Immersing myself in a new culture When I landed in New Zealand, I cleared customs and baggage claim with ease. A customs dog, which was a cute little Beagle, ran through the crowds of travelers inspecting luggage. An 83-year-old Kiwi courtesy guide flung one of my heavy backpacks over her shoulder and escorted me to the airport shuttle bus. I could barely keep up with her. It was a smooth ride to my housing, Pilmuir Lodge, which had been arranged via the hospital’s accommodation department. Located near the facility, “The Lodge” was home to 18 people —mostly locum tenens physicians from India, Australia, New Zealand, England, Malaysia, Serbia, China, and Greece—and had 18 private rooms, 2 communal bathrooms, 2 galley kitchens with long wooden tables, an Internet room, and a cable TV lounge. Operated by Hutt Valley District Health Board (DHB), 250-bed Hutt Hospital has a world renowned plastic surgery department. As I would soon find out, its orientation program was also legendary. On my first day of work, all the new staff members formed a line outside of a meeting room. The men were instructed to enter the room first with our heads bent down in respect for the Board of Directors, and then to take our seats in the first row of chairs. Next, the women were instructed to enter the room in the same fashion and fill the row of seats directly behind the men. This practice follows New Zealand’s Maori cultural tradition. Then, the President of the hospital warmly greeted us in the Maori language. I couldn’t understand him, but his 10-minute speech seemed welcoming. A group of students from the local middle school preformed traditional Maori song and dance, called haka. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the hospital’s entire Board of Directors lined up and faced us. Instead of a traditional handshake, we leaned forward and touched forehead to forehead and then nose to nose. This tradition is called hongi in the Maori language. Then, they brought out food, which included plates of cheese, fresh fruit, and a kiwi-covered dessert called pavlova. After that ceremony, our knowledge and friendship were sealed and bonded forever. I truly felt like everyone at my assignment facility knew each other. www.healthcaretraveler.com MOERAKI BOULDERS, natural geological wonders up to 3 meters in diameter, are located on the sandy beaches of Moeraki. The hospital’s orientation program was legendary. and medical background checks were waived. American applicants don’t pay fees for work visas, but must pay fees for Professional Board approval and membership. Even a nation with a “no worries” attitude has governmental rules and regulations that apply. I discovered the processing time for a work visa application could take up to 4 weeks. However, my recruiter advised me that I could fast-track my application if I wrote a polite letter of urgency, emphasizing how excited I was about practicing in New Zealand. It worked. Within 2 weeks, I received in the mail my passport with the work visa stamps, along with a note with a smiley face and a message to enjoy my adventure, signed by my Immigration Officer. My next order of business was to purchase an airline ticket, a reliable backpack, a sleeping bag, and a durable pair of hiking boots. Keeping in mind that I was traveling to New Zealand during its summer season—and considering the 150-pound weight limit on my two backpacks—the key items I packed were hiking boots, a few pairs of shorts, and flip-flops, or jandals, as they are called “Down Under.” I anxiously repacked my bags—maybe ten times— lightening the load with each effort. Fortunately, my start-up expenses would be minimal. At the advantageous exchange rate, I brought more than enough currency with me to get settled before my first paycheck. 36 Healthcare Traveler November 2008 http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - November 2008

Healthcare Traveler - November 2008 Editor’s Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes You Said It Perks and Preferences A Latitude Adjustment Drug Update Clinical Tips Advice of Counsel Cityscape Advertiser’s Index Name It When In. . . It’s in the Bag Contest Rules Big Deals Tax Facts Going the Distance Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - November 2008

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