Help a frustrated Registered Nurse find a job!

[pairen]

Hi everyone, I joined this website to write this post as I think I can get good advice from you guys.

I am a registered nurse, graduated from the university 2010, and completed registration in June, 2011 (I was the international student so i needed to submit IELTS 7.0 in order to meet the registration requirements) Since I got my registration, I joined an agency and I didn't like it.

It was really stressful as most of shifts were given suddenly, and I had to spend so long time to find right residents to administer medications (which waste my time a lot). I had to get familiar with environment everytime when I visited new facilities, I don't know where the nursing equipments are so I had to keep asking where they are (which waste my time as well), I don't know what problems residents had so you can imagine that proper management shouldn't be given.

Some might say I am whining and complaining, but I really don't like the situation which is unnecessarily changed. I preferred to be employed in one facility, so that I think I can learn nursing more efficiently and had better concepts of my duties. So I started to apply a full-time and part-time jobs in aged care facility and hospitals, and so far, I was not successful.

So what I would like to ask is that is there actually the way that I, as a person with no work experience for 2 years since graduated, can get a job? I really don't want to think that agency job is the only solution that help me out of unemployment condition.

I am seriously think to re-enrol the university (if possible) so that I can update my nursing knowledge and be eligible to apply for graduate nurse programs. Or do you think employers in really remote areas would consider to employ me if there are not many applicants applied for the job?

PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO... I AM SO DESPERATE...

Thank you for your help in advance..

[ceridwyn]

There is no nursing shortage.....unions and governments continue on this chatter for something to do and the unions keep on about this as leverage for nurses conditions and higher pay.

Immigration always flood the market it is not their concern, nor that of the government. Accountants are dime a dozen, but they are on the shortage list, same as mechanics, same as lawyers, same as NURSES.

Unemployment is rising for all

The government also needs to lift its game...there is an election soon so perhaps a change in government that supports health care and employment of local people. Some employers have abused the criteria of 457 visa - hopefully this will stop and more local nurses both experienced and graduates, will know about jobs that are available and be given more chances. This practise is well known and gone for years.

NO shortage except in some specialties.

The specialties, should be considering these new grads, or nurses from non acute areas that would love an opportunity to specialise, or come back to work after looking after their own children. Many local nurses, wanting to come back after raising their own children and others wanting to come back to nursing after a few years break are reporting the same, nurses wanting to relocate or just change jobs for sanity..no jobs.

Keep the faith,, keep trying, I doubt you qualify for a new grad position, are the places that you did agency work looking to employ? usually thats the foot in the door to knowing where there is work. If you are hoping to get 457 visa it is supposed to be under some constraints when and how these can be handed out and strict criteria is now to be followed.

Until our government starts funding health care and nurturing our local professions as they should, getting new graduates into the system and staying there for a local grown workforce will fail as it always does and we will always depend on large immigration to make up the shortfall that should not be there.

[Happy Wombat]

Try agency new grad or private hospitals?

Public sector do not seems to be hiring for the moment or at least until they know what their budget is.

I know of someone who graduated for 1 year and still managed to get new grads. (luck maybe?) Keep trying.

[pairen]

well I am still applying to new grad positions but no luck so far! Anyway thank you for the answer :)

[pairen]

There is no nursing shortage.....unions and governments continue on this chatter for something to do and the unions keep on about this as leverage for nurses conditions and higher pay.

Immigration always flood the market it is not their concern, nor that of the government. Accountants are dime a dozen, but they are on the shortage list, same as mechanics, same as lawyers, same as NURSES.

Unemployment is rising for all

The government also needs to lift its game...there is an election soon so perhaps a change in government that supports health care and employment of local people. Some employers have abused the criteria of 457 visa - hopefully this will stop and more local nurses both experienced and graduates, will know about jobs that are available and be given more chances. This practise is well known and gone for years.

NO shortage except in some specialties.

The specialties, should be considering these new grads, or nurses from non acute areas that would love an opportunity to specialise, or come back to work after looking after their own children. Many local nurses, wanting to come back after raising their own children and others wanting to come back to nursing after a few years break are reporting the same, nurses wanting to relocate or just change jobs for sanity..no jobs.

Keep the faith,, keep trying, I doubt you qualify for a new grad position, are the places that you did agency work looking to employ? usually thats the foot in the door to knowing where there is work. If you are hoping to get 457 visa it is supposed to be under some constraints when and how these can be handed out and strict criteria is now to be followed.

Until our government starts funding health care and nurturing our local professions as they should, getting new graduates into the system and staying there for a local grown workforce will fail as it always does and we will always depend on large immigration to make up the shortfall that should not be there.

I don't have any visa problems, my visa is stable haha. Last year when my visa was temporary I though this would be the main problem that I cannot get a job here, but it turns out that lack of experience is the main problem. Anyway thank you for your cheer up, I will keep try and if nurse shortage is true, I think I will get a job one day.

[yuwiee]

hi. in which agency are you working for? I am also desperately looking for a job and I am willing to apply even in an agency. I have finished my degree last Dec 2012 and I'm still working as a carer in a nursing home. Agencies here in WA don't accept nurses without experience.