Private hosptial nursing

mansfieldRN · Mar 1, 2007

by overseas, where do you mean? if you are coming to the us, i can tell you what it is like where i work.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 1, 2007

hello all
i'm a 2nd year student nurse and have been told my next placement will be in a private hospital. i looking forward to it as i am considering working overseas and may it will be good to see more than the NHS. However from those who have worked in a acute private hospital what would you say is the difference. I've heard it more consultant lead so are nurses less in control, or do u have the time and resources to spend doing things properly.

just a brief warning but your current training does not always meet requirements for working overseas. Whilst still at uni would be much better if you can arrange both theory and practical hours in all areas. (midwifery, paeds, mental health as well as general)

RGN1 should be along soon and she works in the private sector at the moment.

ayla2004, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2007

just a brief warning but your current training does not always meet requirements for working overseas. Whilst still at uni would be much better if you can arrange both theory and practical hours in all areas. (midwifery, paeds, mental health as well as general)
RGN1 should be along soon and she works in the private sector at the moment.

i'm not looking USA and have given up on meeting Canada RN requirments but NZ and Australia will take my training.

thanks

ayla2004, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2007

No i mean private acute care in the UK its surgical and only 19 beds.

RGN1 · Mar 2, 2007

Here I come - better late than never!

We have students at our hospital & every one of them that I have worked with has been very, very positive about their experience.

We have 1st, 2nd & 3rd years + nurses from the mental health branch. They all say they feel that they are better supported than their fellow students who are in the NHS. They get included in study days & have daily access (well weekdays anyway) to our clinical nurse tutor.

It's a busy unit but the much lower nurse: patient ratio (1:5) means we have time to teach our students, explain things to them properly & fill out all their wonderful reams of paperwork!

I hope your placement treats you the way I know we treat our students & also hope that you have a really positive experience there.

Our latest lot are about to go back to the NHS soon & although they are looking forward to seeing what it's like they are really sad to be leaving.

The last cohort we had said they were almost embarrassed at the study days because everyone was moaning about how awful it was & they were having a great time!

It is true that we are more consultant led compared to the NHS & we do have to treat each patient according to their consultants protocols - each of which are different to their colleagues. For example I could be looking after 2 hip replacements done by different consultants & what I do for those patients will be completely different care wise, med wise, dressing wise etc.

However, once you build up a rapport with your consultants most of them (though I will be honest not all of them) are happy to allow you some autonomy (as long as they trust you). Sometimes it's just a matter of calling them & letting them know kind of like "Mrs X has ......... are you okay if I .........." We also have a resident doc who we can run things by too if needs be.

Let us know how you get on & good luck!

Oh & BTW take note of what SD said regarding hours, if it's the US you want then you may have hours to make up in paeds, maternity & psychiatric nursing. However, some nurses have found they are okay so just bear that in mind but if you do lack hours try & see if you can do anything about that while still in uni. Of course if it's Oz you want you'll be fine!

ayla2004, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2007

thanks what my uni tutor said was don't get used to it, i'm looking forward o

a

RGN1 · Mar 7, 2007

True -don't get used to it but do make the most of it!

Everyone here is probably bored of hearing how much I enjoy my job but I do & I also enjoy working with the people there, it's just a small, friendly place to be.

However, don't think for a minute it will be cushy there are days when we are rushed off our feet & don't get a chance for a break (although I always send my students for their breaks so you should be ok). Other times it's a lot quieter, especially weekend late shifts, so you do at least get a chance to catch up with yourself so to speak.

I just hope you have a positive experience because I know the private sector is often regarded with scepticism & sometimes downright prejudice by NHS nurses. I'll be honest & say I felt the same until I actually started working in it! You will at least have the chance to make your own mind up about it!

ayla2004, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2007

ill try and give feed back if the essay don't take over my life

allnurses Guide · Mar 7, 2007

I just hope you have a positive experience because I know the private sector is often regarded with scepticism & sometimes downright prejudice by NHS nurses. .

That'll be the jealousy then - you mentioned breaks what's that :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

RGN1 · Mar 8, 2007

That'll be the jealousy then - you mentioned breaks what's that :lol2:

:rotfl:

Hehehe - shall I go on to mention the vouchers we got for Xmas, the free tea/coffee (inc cappuccino)/hot chocolate anytime you like/can & the free toast before 11am??

allnurses Guide · Mar 8, 2007

:rotfl:
Hehehe - shall I go on to mention the vouchers we got for Xmas, the free tea/coffee (inc cappuccino)/hot chocolate anytime you like/can & the free toast before 11am??

now your just showing off, we got £2.30 each off our directorate for christmas. :monkeydance: bought myself a whole packet of biscuits with mine