freaking out

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l posted this in the agency nursing forum, but the replies l got were from the USA, so l'm not sure how applicable they are.

l have just received my registration certificate for Division 2 nursing (enrolled nurse).

l have been registered with an agency for a few months but haven't worked yet. l'm starting to feel really nervous about working for the agency with not much experience.

l have applied for a job with a nursing home doing part time night shift, l have experience in aged care and a certificate for it too. l've also applied at the hospital for a part time holiday reliever.

l'm debating whether to drop the agency for now and re-register with them when l have more experience in the hospital enviornment.

l'd appreciate any feedback.

Hi Leeca, sorry i don't have any helpful advice to you as i am still a student, but i would just like to wish you all the best in whatever comes your way - all's well that end's well isn;t it??

Rachel @}-->---------

Leeca

Would it be worth while talking to your TAFE / institution where you did cert 4 - I don't know your area as far as work is concerned - However some of the thoughts that are coming at the moment are

1. Talk to your training institution - it is in their best interest that their graduate gets employed and should be able to give you some directions

2. As you have aged care experience - go for some of the larger nursing homes ins the area - this may be positive for a number of reasons - shows your willingness to work, utilizes and keeps your skills up to date.

3. Ring the agencies in your area and remind them frequently that you are interested in working

4. Also ensure that all the local hospitals - both public and private have your resume - you can always ring them and 'just make sure that the employment officer received it'

5. Also keep an eye on the local paper they may advertise things you miss

6. Also talk to friends from your course other graduate and friends in nursing they may hear of positions

7. Another way to go is to work as a volunteer in an area that you REALLY want to get into - that shows your keenness they check you out at the same time as you check them out

In the current shortage you should find some thing

 Also keep an eye on courses such as

Medical terminology

Vena puncture

Dementia / Psyche

Acute care

Etc - all these should be run through your local TAFE in the near future - these will demonstrate to prospective employers your willingness to be employed and your interest in learning

 As well review your resume - it may be worth while getting a few things worded and your references upgraded etc -

These are just some of the thoughts that pop into my head at the moment

As a person who doesn't employ but advises from time to time - l know how hard it can be - but -be willing to show that you are willing and available - if they call you say yes - when they call you give them your times of availability -- leave them all possible numbers of contact and forgo that night out to work - it goes a long way at the start.

Also ask questions - related to work -- take every opportunity to show everyone that you are some one that THEY WANT to employ

Good luck

Thinking of you sure you will do well put yourself out their start with the basics, get the experience and show your wares so as to speak

Hope this has helped sorry about my spelling

Tookie

leeca

had to edit - my spelling was dreadful - again good luck - dont panis - what you are going through is in a way normal - another thought l had is to make sure you put your resume into places where you may have had your workexperience/placement - they will know you and your capabilities -

Again

Good luck

Tookie

wow what an awesome post Tookie - I am impressed!!! Actually I think i might take some of your advice as I am well and truely sick of my part-time supermarket job!!

Love Rachel @}-->------

Take care Racheal

Thank you - - you are the future and will be the future for nursing

Check everything out

Value yourself - you are on the path to your future - set backs will occur but think of them as only that - learning posts for the future -

Think too of the 'check out chick stuff'

as being a wonderful introduction to the use of the communication skills that you have learnt that you will use as a nurse

All these skills you are using there in the 'old job' you will use again - the -patience, understanding and tolerance you will use all of these and more in the future.

Gee l didnt mean to sound like a font of wisdom -

Anything that comes up that you concerned about and dont understand ask WHY - Both Uni and hospitals trained nurses should have the tolerance, understanding and appreciation of your situation/newness to value that question - if they dont - do not loose heart ask again and again - remember there are tutor/supervisors etc that are being paid to mentor and support you.

Use this forum - all the forums - not jst Austrlaian to ask questions - keep in balance the good, the sad the happy and the dreadful - recognise when you nee the support of your peers and other resources to debreief or simply laugh

racheal

- in many ways l wish l was starting over to have the adventures you will have - always always talk to people be it petient to support them or nurse and others to support you

Dont mean to go on

BTW

I am sure your family are very proud of your let them too share is all the highs and lows and support you - they too are very valuable

Sorry for rabbiting on

Tookie

Thanks for your advice and list of what to do. Its very helpful as you don't always know whats out there and what help is available.

My first day as an Rn was with an agency in a neurosurgical ITU/HDU. Never been on a ward before except for my placements. It's surprising how quickly you start to pick up the things that your course *didn't* teach you but are essntial anyway, like time management. In my opinion, having worked in nursing homes and hospitals now as both RN and AIN, your work in nursing homes won't really prepare you for ward work, and you may be just as well holding your nose and jumping in at the deep end.

If you let the agency know you are worried about what the wards hold in store for you, they may very well send you on some training days to help you prepare. They are also more likely to give you shifts on wards that aren't so intense or heavy at first, just to see how you cope. Remember, it's in their best interest as well as yours that you do well - if they send you somewhere you can't cope, the hospital may whinge and the agency will lose money.

It's sad, but a lot of hospitals and individual nurses don't expect much from agency staff. They expect you to turn up late if at all, slack off and avoid the hard work and messy jobs. While it's great to exploit this if you don't have great career expectations, it's a good way to end up in retail at 30 when even the agency chucks you out. If you are hard working and conscientious (?sp) you will endear yourself to your colleagues and may find yourself being offered jobs in areas you love.

I think I lost the plot a bit in my ramble, but I hope some of this babble will help you. If you get scared or stuck, always ask someone - nobody will laugh at you or think you're daft for asking.

frannybee

Thanks, l did do a shift for the agency, it was night shift. It was great as l was able to get my bearings without being rushed off my feet. The nurse l was with was really helpful and answered all my queations.

l am still looking for other work as l'm not getting much through the agency, and the nursing home is the easiest place to get work, l know it won't help much for the ward situation but it will help me get a grip on the paper work, as there is so much of it.

Didn't realise how much at school as you only did some of it not all of it.

leeca

do not underestimate what you will learn in the aged care area - l tell all my students if you can learn and complete the basic care of good aged care nursing it will set you up as a good nurse for all areas

It emcompasses so many important facets of nursing

Care plans yes. documentation, accountabilty, but more importantly - recognising basic changes in a person condition - managing not only their hygeine needs, and nutrition and hydration - good wound management, great communication skills and emotional support, just to mention a few- bring into this the factor of managing grieving family members - before and after death and all the varoius loss issues and the management of staff - it is a great area to learn the basics

In reality it is the biggest growth area in nursing - all us baby boomers are getting older and we will expect and demand good care

So in a way that is hopefully what you will learn whilst you are in the aged care sector, - it will set you up for all areas as l said before

hang in there

tookke

Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

If you are a 2nd year nursing student, you can apply for an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) job - the pay isn't great I hear ($15 per hour on dayshift), and these are offered at most big hospitals. Google hosps near you and apply to get that much needed experience. You will need it when you start applying for GNPs later.

Specializes in Aged Care.

hi carolmaccas66

Good advice. May come handy to members in a similar situation with the original poster. I'm wondering though if you are aware that the original post is over 8 years old? Cheers

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