USA or OZ? need help aahhh!!!

bungies · Aug 20, 2003

Originally posted by Leofric
i am currently considering a position in melborne in NICU ... any one know if thats a good place to live?
anyone wants to have a beer with a pommie nurse new in town!!!? thats if i get the job of course! i take it weather in melbourne is better than at home!!!

Absolutely - and that goes for the beer and the weather! It's a brave step to let go of everything and trying something new.

Melbourne is an incredibly liveable city - as Ceridwyn said, Melbourne is a tad more Europe than most Aussie cities - incredibly multicultural, in fact. You can get literally any type of cuisine (was that North or South Ethiopian food you were after? I kid you not...)

Weather is generally pleasant. Winter is mild (particularly compared to UK) but summer can be a bit of a shock. Best to get yourself a place with air-conditioning to get through the first summer; 35 degrees is relatively normal for mid-January but it goes 40 and over sometimes. You will cope. Spring and Autumn... well, let me say that if you don't like a Melbourne Spring, just wait an hour... it'll change. But if you don't like a Melbourne Autumn, there's no pleasing you.

Beer is a national pastime, though Melbourne likes to think it's a bit more cultured than some of our neighbours. Our local beer is fabulous, but you can get almost any beer in almost any pub. We're kind of proud of that. (Pathetic, isn't it?)

I've heard it said that at an Aussie BBQ you can discuss sex, religion and politics with complete impunity; just don't start on sport.

Football is Aussie Rules. No exceptions. Soccer is soccer, rugby is rugby (League rather than Union, though that's another source for argument). If you don't understand it, that's OK, as long as you don't belittle it. :nono: (I can't stand it myself, but I hide it well.) Don't barrack for Collingwood unless you already follow Manchester United. It's a similar passion/stigma.

Cricket - you're relatively safe here at the moment if you like cricket. If the UK team ever get around to playing well, hide. :chair: (nah, we wouldn't really hurt you...)

NICU - apparently our NICUs are very good - a friend of mine cycled through several in her agency days, and was impressed. I don't know first hand about that side of life - I'm community palliative myself (roughly equivalent to a McMillan nurse).

And don't worry - you'll get the job. We're as desperate for good nurses as everyone else is.

WELCOME!

njtogarn · Aug 21, 2003

boy you can earn mega bucks as a nicu rn working in ny/nj, USA get your documents together.

Leofric · Aug 25, 2003

well, there is a lot to think about so thanks guys and gals! i will probly do nothing 4 6 mnths as i have enough change what with the divorce and moving out and all! got a great room though! right next to Lincoln cathedral!

mebin sounds like the place to go though. thinkin bout St Vincents NICU as a possibility.