Is this what a EEN is all about ?

There are four EEN's on my ward - we're a medical specialty unit in a tertiary referral hospital, so the patients are acute, the throughput is high, and our patients are complex. The EEN's work in a team with an RN and get same patient load; they tend not to get the patients with traches, or tons of IV meds, but otherwise there's not a huge difference in patient allocation or in expectation.

I live in Melbourne, where the nurses have significantly more than one network to chose from, but it is possible to have a more challenging role. Good luck :)

70% of the staff in private hospitals in western australia are EN's. I would suggest you try the private sector as they tend to go more for EN's as they are cheaper to pay...thats a quote from a human resource officer not my opinion. Look on the private hospital websites and apply direct as some have graduate programmes for EN's. What state are you in?

Community health are becoming more EN's than RN's. If you have a look at the vic gov. hospital jobs, or hospital jobs. Many hospitals are now advertising for applicants for grad programs for newly qualified EN's as much as for new RN's mainly job site for nurses are for EN's - cheaper than RN. No such thing as EEN anymore, though you can be EN with notorisation if not educated in meds.

All EN's in Australia are to be educated in medications. Those who do not have medication education and have notorisation you will find it difficult to get a job in acute if they are not working there already.

I was saying on another thread a few months ago new grads will have to really consider moving to get the jobs they need.

All major hospitals use EENs in SA at least. In WA they use many in the private sector (dunno re public), but they have as many responsibilities as a RN.

Consider moving & applying to bigger hospitals outside of your area. I have to move away for a job soon, but that's what nurses have to do now.

What state are you in? Also try all the nursing agencies. If they want you to move for a job, they will USUALLY help you with relocation costs and/or acccommodation, or pay part of this.

I think as an EEN working in aged care, and planning to become a Div 1 RN, you are wasting your time and energy and skill base. Really consider moving to get that valuable critical care experience you need - I did and it was very much worth it!

Thank you everyone for your opinions and advice :-)

I'm currently living in Victoria, on the Mornington Peninsula. I applied to Ramsay Health which run the private hospitals around here in May for a grad year starting August but I havent heard back, and I don't think I will :-/ . To join their nurse bank there website says you need a minimum of 2 years clinical experience as an EEN.

The health network I was referring to in my previous post do not just give out jobs on a ward, you have to apply to the bank , then if a job comes up somewhere at a site they might offer you the contract. But they aren't hiring EENs for bank.

Im honestly thinking of moving to around Caulfield way (about 90 mins from my current home) to find a hospital job.

During TAFE my favourite placement, where I truly felt in my element was in the acute surgical setting and my clinical teacher told me she felt I took it all in my stride and really shined in the area (I'm not big noting myself, I just want to point out that I didnt feel "thrown in the deep end" in acute, but very comfortable). I am the type of person that really wants to be challenged and learn everyday and experience a wide variety of patients.

DON'T turn your nose up at aged care - as someone with nigh on 30 years experience in ICU I am STILL cleaning the same old !@#!@ while many of my contemporaries who chose the aged care field are working as Directors of Nursing!!

You actually can have a better career path in aged care than in the acute sector. Your other option of course is simply to "go country" for about 3-6 months if that is an option for you. See Australia!! Most rural hospitals are screaming for EN's and will joyfully employ them. You will have better opportunities and some fabulous experiences