Princess Alexandra, Mater, or Royal Brisbane?

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Howdee!

Im a 3rd year New Zealand nursing student, hoping to relocate to Brisbane after graduation. Can anyone give me their opinion on which of the above hospitals is the best to work at, and your reasons why? Good new grad programs?

Im hoping to score a new-graduate placement in OT next year. Is there much chance of snaffling one up as a NZ student, do you think? My grades are pretty darn good, but I heard that most employers dont even bother looking anyway... Also if you can suggest any other hospitals with excellent new grad programs (anywhere in Queensland) I would reeeeally appreciate your advice.

Cheers! :specs:

PS - I have done heaps of research and visited each of their websites, but Id like an insiders opinion! So far, Princess Alexandra is my favorite (magnet status must mean something, right?) I also like that its a tertiary, teaching, and research hospital. I do realise that Australian graduates get first pick, as stated in the Queensland health website (& as they should!). But im still going to give it a shot... Fingers crossed.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Orthopaedics, MedSurg.

Don't limit yourself to just one hospital. My advise is apply to PAH, RBWH, TPCH, RCH .............. I have a friend who graduated end of 2006 from NZ and got into a Grad Programme early this year. Just be aware that you will have to fork out for parking if you work for PAH and RWBH but you get the money back from tax at the end of the financial year. :) :roll

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Thanks for taking the time to reply! Ill take your advice & apply to many of the hospitals & see what comes back. Anyone else with advice please feel free to post a reply anytime up to christmas, as ill be notified of it by email & your advice is much appreciated. Cheers! :specs:

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Specializes in ICU.

I think that is excellent. PAH has a good reputation but the Mater will get you experience in Adult and Paediatric as well as midwifery. PAH will get you more experience in Cardiac Surgery, transplant and trauma.

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I think that is excellent. PAH has a good reputation but the Mater will get you experience in Adult and Paediatric as well as midwifery. PAH will get you more experience in Cardiac Surgery, transplant and trauma.

Cheers Gwenith :flowersfo PAH sounds like a bit o me! Im thinking that it may be quite difficult to get a new-grad placement there - thank goodness for all the forums with interview advice! :w00t:

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Hi

I worked at Rotorua Hospital 3 years ago before I came to Australia. I suggest you look at NSW before Queensland, better pay rates here.

We have a couple of new grad NZ RNs at the moment, they are really enjoying their post grad year.

Debbie

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Hey, thanks for your advice, very useful & much appreciated! I will look into it. Great to hear there are NZ new grads around! My elective placement is at Rotorua Hospital, in theatre & two of my prior placements have been in peri-op and Medical North. I wanted to try theatre before I graduate so I know what direction im headed... Can you tell me, does NSW have the highest pay rate in Australia?

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My partner & I thought Brisbane would be best, as he has family there & Hervey Bay. I never really considered Sydney, as from what Ive heard its VERY busy & VERY expensive... I just dont know if Id like it much. But I havent been there, so its hard really. Melbourne might be alright, Ive heard they have 1:4 staff-patient ratios, which would be great... Is the pay in Sydney worth living in a 'ratrace' (no offense, just what Ive heard!)? Is the pay increase quite substantial?

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Have you considered a more rural area in NSW rather than Sydney? In terms of cost of living advantages rural living is less expensive than the big cities.

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NSW has the highest pay scale in Australia. I haven't bothered to post any links to WA, SA or anywhere else, only Queensland and NSW.

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/pdf/award_apr07.pdf

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/industrial_relations/wage_rates_nursing.asp

These links are from their websites.

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Hey thanks for the links, sorry I took so long! Exams and assignments and work, crikey! Do I have this right though - Year 1 in NSW starts out at $22.21 per hour / $44,033.50 per annum. In Queensland it looks like they actually pay (SLIGHTLY) more for a Year 1: $22.61184 per hour / $44,834 per annum. Hmmm, maybe I need to get to bed early tonight - i'm confused, as I thought that NSW paid the highest salary? Whilst pay is not the only variable guiding my decision of where to apply, can anyone clarify this for me?

I still think PAH would be a great place to get some grounding in OT, though I do worry that I'll get landed in a hostile environment - which is the last thing I want for my new grad year! :chair: (I keep readin about nurses and surgeons who eat students for dinner in the OT!)

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Hi Ang

You are right, the first 2 years are slightly better paid in Queensland, but from the 3rd year onwards NSW pays more.

If you have family in Queensland and want to work at a bigger hospital then certainly PA, the Mater or RBH would be great options for you. Brisbane is easier to travel around than Sydney.

Whatever you choose I hope you really enjoy your post grad year.

Regards

Debbie

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