AGENCY NURSING

Bringonthenight · Jul 29, 2013

I see. Thank you.
I came from a hospital that had CNA ( they took my vitals, ADL's, feeding, and walking, and emptying drains) so this will be a big change. I'll definitely ask about policy and procedures! thanks for all the tips!

No problem, let us know how your first shift goes!

Hezbell · Jul 29, 2013

@brightonthenight

Who are you working with? Where abouts?

jamesaus · Jul 31, 2013

Hi guys...I am an indian nurse grad with 2.5 years of experience in India...I have heard that jobs are now pretty tough to get,,,..my 2 friends have just come back... I am visiting aus on Oct 4..Can anybody advise me on what to expect and do beforehand I get thr..

Thanks and regards

ralim · Aug 2, 2013

I survived my first shift in AU!

I went to a private hospital on resp unit. Major Culture shock! At least I was worn about not having nursing assistant to help me with ADL's. I was teamed up with this EN? to take care of 10 patients.

-Things that surprised me were:

1) Everything was in paper! It was difficult to read dr's handwriting.

2) meds were kept in pt bedside cabinet locked up. Each meds were in original package ( like you see in the store, in a box)--- I had new patient and I was shocked that pt were taking their own medication. Where I came from, that wasn't allowed.

3) Showering patient..... I don't understand why I have to wear nice black pants! when it's gonna get wet and etc!

4) none of the nurses were auscultating patients. they said " that's dr's job"

5) In and out aren't measured unless ordered by doctor.

6) It's difficult to find gloves. I used to wear gloves to do everything. even helping pt Out of bed.

I think those were the ones I can remember now.

Overall it went well. Staff was great, very helpful. My partner was great. SHe did most of the work tho....

I can't wait to go back to work!!!!

Bringonthenight · Aug 3, 2013

I survived my first shift in AU!
I went to a private hospital on resp unit. Major Culture shock! At least I was worn about not having nursing assistant to help me with ADL's. I was teamed up with this EN? to take care of 10 patients.
-Things that surprised me were:
1) Everything was in paper! It was difficult to read dr's handwriting.
2) meds were kept in pt bedside cabinet locked up. Each meds were in original package ( like you see in the store, in a box)--- I had new patient and I was shocked that pt were taking their own medication. Where I came from, that wasn't allowed.
3) Showering patient..... I don't understand why I have to wear nice black pants! when it's gonna get wet and etc!
4) none of the nurses were auscultating patients. they said " that's dr's job"
5) In and out aren't measured unless ordered by doctor.
6) It's difficult to find gloves. I used to wear gloves to do everything. even helping pt Out of bed.
I think those were the ones I can remember now.
Overall it went well. Staff was great, very helpful. My partner was great. SHe did most of the work tho....
I can't wait to go back to work!!!!

Yay! I'm so happy for you.

Yes ENs are the Australian version of an LPN. The scope of practice varies state by state facility vs facility just like the US.

I forgot to worn you about paper charting!

Nurses can auscultate if they want but yes, it is seen as a Drs task unless you work in a critical care area. Head to toe assessments don't really happen here on the wards.

As for showering, you'll get used to dodging the water!

The glove thing worries me though!

Did you have to mix any IVABs yet?

ceridwyn · Aug 3, 2013

The gloves for touching people for assistance to get out of bed is a real worry.

I hope you are using universal percautions in hand washing instead. :)

Hope you enjoy your next shift just as much.

Hezbell · Aug 3, 2013

Yay! I'm so happy for you.
Yes ENs are the Australian version of an LPN. The scope of practice varies state by state facility vs facility just like the US.
I forgot to worn you about paper charting!
Nurses can auscultate if they want but yes, it is seen as a Drs task unless you work in a critical care area. Head to toe assessments don't really happen here on the wards.
As for showering, you'll get used to dodging the water!
The glove thing worries me though!
Did you have to mix any IVABs yet?

I have ward about the gloves, that worries me!!

Where had you worked peviousley?

I've alway mixed my own IVABS

And you haven't showered people!!! I can't believe what I'm reading!

Basic nursing care is personal care and ADLS why would you want to help your patients with hygiene needs....TIME MANAGEMENT!!!!

I'm looking forward to getting started now, sounds just like where I work just now!!!

ralim · Aug 5, 2013

Today was my second day working. It went so much better than the first.

I gave my first morphine SC!!

I have never given morphine SC before, only via IV!

Is morphine IV not used in AU?

Mopples · Aug 5, 2013

It is. I had iv morphine at Christmas when I had cholecystitis. I also had sc morphine post op after having my gallbladder out when the pain was breaking through the endone.

K+MgSO4, BSN · Aug 5, 2013

SC morph is used to prevent narcing pt or depressing the resp system on the wards.

We go through endone on my Gen surgery Ward are a alarming rate!

ralim · Aug 12, 2013

I need help understanding antibiotics through burette.

So today I had antibiotics to hang-- ticarcillin sodium with clavulanic acid.

I looked at "the book" It said " dilute recontinuted solution with an appropriate volune compatible fluid to give concentration between 10-100mg/ml and infuse over 30 minutes"

I asked another nurse to help me and we did the following:

so I diluated the powder with 10cc water---> put it in burette---> filled burette until 100cc. --ran over 1hr. so infused over 100cc/hr.

Can someone tell me why it's 1hr...instead of 30min? why fill burette to 100cc!? I tried asking the nurse who helped me but didn't get the answer I fully understood.

or what I should have done????

thanks in advance.

ceridwyn · Aug 13, 2013

What's a "cc". Are you talking millilitres?