英语PK台 第284期:年轻护士梦想与现实的抉择

 　　Dialogue

　　XG: Hey, Jing Jing,why do you look so vexed¹?

　　小高：嗨，京晶，你为何看上去如此心烦意乱？

　　JJ: I've come to a fork in the road, I don't know what to do. Can you give me some advice?

　　京晶：我到了一个做重要决定的关口，我不知如何是好，你能给我一些建议吗？

　　XG: Sure, I'll trymy best. What's up?

　　小高：当然，我会尽力的，什么情况？

　　JJ: Well, I've been working as an RN at an ICU unit for the past four years, but I feel like I've hit a plateau². It's the same thing over and over, the night shift³ is really taking a toll⁴ on me. But three years ago, a teacher got me thinking, and I started to look into nursing⁵ overseas⁶. I began to study professional⁷ English with the hopes of one day working as a nurse abroad.

　　京晶：嗯，我是个护士，过去四年一直在ICU病房工作，感觉现在工作遇到了瓶颈期，每天无休止地重复一样的工作，夜班让我十分疲惫。但三年前，有个老师启发了我，我开始去了解国外护理的现状，于是我开始学习专业英语以期有朝一日到国外工作。

　　XG: It sounds like a no-brainer.What's holding you back?

　　小高：这听上去是个完全不费脑子的决定，那你在犹豫什么呢？

　　JJ: I took a test in Singapore from the SNB and passed with flying colors. Just as I was about to make my next move, my parents and boyfriend complained that I shouldn't go abroad to be a nurse. They're worried that I won't be able to adapt to the way of life and work environment over there. And once I go to work abroad, I'll lose my job here in China. My parents don't have really high expectations of me, they've never demanded that I find a super high paying job. As long as I am near their side they'll be happy.

　　京晶：我在新加坡参加了新加坡护士局SNB的考试并以高分通过，就在我准备放手一搏时，我的母亲和男友开始抱怨我不该出国当护士，他们担心我无法适应那边的生活方式和工作环境，而且我一旦出国工作，就等于丢掉了中国的工作。父母对我其实并无太高要求，他们也从未要求我找个高薪的工作，只要我在他们身边他们就满足了。

　　XG: Well I thinkt hat might be the problem right there. Look at what you're saying: it will make your parents happy if you stay at the same hospital. Did they ever consider what would make you happy? If you've studied English so hard and are able to pass the Singapore test, why should they be worried about you not being able to adapt to life abroad?

　　小高：嗯，我觉得这可能就是问题的所在，看你自己说的：如果你待在原来的医院，这会让你的父母高兴满意，那他们有没有考虑过什么会让你真正高兴满意？如果你英语学得这么努力还通过了新加坡的考试，他们为何需要担心你无法适应国外的生活？

　　JJ: What they don't know is, Singapore was just my first step. My ultimate⁸ goal is to go to America to work as an RN. I'm confused⁹ about that too. Should I first use Singapore as a stepping stone and work there for a bit, or should I go directly¹⁰ to the United¹¹ States to work?

　　京晶：他们不知道的是，新加坡只是我的第一步，我最终的目标是去美国当一名注册护士，然而我也非常迷惑，我是应该用新加坡当敲门砖，工作一段时间呢，还是直接去美国工作？

　　XG: That's a tough call. Considering you're only 27 years old, you're still young and can do many things. If you wait any longer, you might miss your chance. I think going to Singapore first would be a good idea because you can prepare for what it feels like to work abroad. You might also learn important skills there that will help you when you go to the United States to work. I'm 32 years old. I'm preparing to start my second Master's degree. I had to make this decision on my own.Taking a risk and coming to China was the best decision I 've ever made in my life.

　　小高：这个决定就艰难了。考虑到你现在才27岁，你还年轻，还能做很多事。如果你再继续等待，就可能错失良机。我觉得先去新加坡也也许是个好主意因为你可以做好准备熟悉一下在国外工作是个什么样，你也许还能学到一些重要的技能或许在你去美国工作时正好需要。我已经32岁了，我还在准备开始我的第二个硕士学位的学习，我也必须自己做决定。冒个险来中国是我此生做过的最对的决定。

　　JJ: Okay, I'm starting to feel better now. But what if I can't find a job anywhere?

　　京晶: 好，我感觉好多了，那如果我到处都找不到工作呢？

　　XG: Unless people stop becoming sick, you'll be able to find a job as a nurse anywhere on Earth. Good luck to you!

　　小高：除非人类停止生病，你应该是能在地球上任何地方找到工作的。祝你好运！

　　New words for dialogue:

　　Vexed = annoyed 心烦意乱的

　　Come to a fork in the road = be in a position where you must make a tough decision 人生做重要决定的关口

　　Hit a plateau = to be unable to make any more progress 到达瓶颈处

　　Night shift = 夜班

　　Take a toll on = tiring 疲惫的

　　Get one thinking = 启发

　　Look into = 研究一下

　　No-brainer = requiring no thought; an easy decision 不需要费脑子的决定

　　Hold [one] back = make [one] hesitate 让人犹豫不决

　　Pass with flying colors = (of tests) to get a very high score on a test 考出高分

　　Stepping stone = 垫脚石

　　Tough call = a hard decision 艰难的决定

1 vexed   

adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论

参考例句：

• The conference spent days discussing the vexed question of border controls. 会议花了几天的时间讨论边境关卡这个难题。
• He was vexed at his failure. 他因失败而懊恼。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 plateau   

n.高原，平稳，稳定状态；vi.到达平稳阶段

参考例句：

• The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。
• As the river drops from the plateau,it forms great waterfalls.河水从高原上下落时，形成了巨大的瀑布。

3 shift   

n.交换，变化，移动，接班者；vt.更替，移转，变声；vi.改变，定责，更衣

参考例句：

• Lend me a hand to shift this box,will you?来帮一下忙，把这箱子搬开，好吗？
• A sudden shift in the wind warned of the coming storm.风向的突然改变预示暴风雨来临。

4 toll   

n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)

参考例句：

• The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
• The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。

5 nursing   

n.看护，养育，授乳

参考例句：

• She takes up nursing as a career.她以看护为职业。
• They trained her for nursing.他们培训她做护理工作。

6 overseas   

adj.海外的；adv.在海外

参考例句：

• Her man has been sent overseas by his employers.她的丈夫已被雇主派往海外。
• Many firms are focusing on increasing their markets overseas.许多商行都专注于扩大国外市场。

7 professional   

adj.专业的；职业的；n.专业人员；职业运动员

参考例句：

• He is a professional tennis player.他是一名职业网球运动员。
• I need a professional to sort out my finances.我需要专业人士为我管理财务。

8 ultimate   

adj.最远的；最后的；终极的；根源的，基本的

参考例句：

• What was his ultimate goal?他的最终目标是什么？
• The sun is the ultimate store of power.太阳是能量之本。

9 confused   

adj.困惑的，烦恼的

参考例句：

• They asked so many questions that they confused me.他们问了许多问题，都把我弄糊涂了。
• A wise man is never confused.智者不惑。

10 directly   

adv.直接地，径直地；马上，立即

参考例句：

• I will telephone you directly I hear the news.我一听到消息，马上打电话给你。
• She answered me very directly and openly.她非常坦率地、开门见山地答复了我。

11 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。