lifes_a_beach

You wouldnt have any problems finding at job in aged care either! I got offered 3 jobs in one day, one nursing home even called me back straight away telling me to please not accept any other jobs as they really wanted me. There is such a shortage! I really think you should go for it!

Hmm Thats a question I asked myself when I first contemplating becoming a nurse. Im really really lucky that I got into the Uni I go to. We do about 9 months (in a 3 year degree) of full time clincal prac. Its about 13 weeks a year. Our grad nurses are considered one of the best due to our pracs. Over here in WA we are pretty much all have jobs by the end of this year. I honestly think that the road is smoothed a little by picking a Uni that does do alot of prac but if you a proactive in your learning (ie work in Aged care while your studying to get that extra experience) and choose a graduate program that offers lots of study days and preceptor support then it all really evens itself out. Ive meet great student nurses from all the Universities and I guess its just what you make it. Its a great sign that you do care about this and shows that you will be one of those student nurses who seeks out learning experiences whilst on prac, no matter how short. Good luck! Hope this helps

I really believe that working as a carer has been invaluable. You learn how to interact with others (residents/pts and others in the health care team), how to manage your time (which is a big big lesson in nursing) and improve upon your basic nursing skills such as showering, bed baths, feedings etc. I used to say that I never wanted to work in aged care while I was studying and although it is physically and mentally draining at times I wouldnt want another job. Im in my 3rd year and have only been working as an AIN for 4 months but love it and have learnt a lot. I would really recommend it! Also the cash is good and for me graduating this year it was a really good career move as I can put them down as clinical referees for next year. Go for it I say! Good luck

Grace Oz I might be a bit weird but when I hear about about the all those great stories of what you nurses got up to living and working together kind of makes me think that we miss out a little these days with Uni training. There is way too much emphasis these days on "theory" and not enough on real life "clinical knowledge" Anyways thats just my 2cents lol...Keep Advocating!!

I would go directly to University. It all depends on what University you pick - I would look at uni's with long clinical prac's so that you do feel comfortable as a new RN grad. Im in my last year and our uni is fantastic in that aspect so I never felt the need to do that. If for example the universities that you are looking at studying at only have limited clinical experience then that might be an idea to do your enrolled first. But I would honestly go to uni straight up..the Hospitals offer graduate programs when you finish to try to make that transition from student to RN easier. I work as a Carer (AIN) in a nursing home which is great for communication skills, time managment, dealing with death and dying and you dont need any formal qualifications if you are a nursing student and they are always looking for people. That is another option....hope this helps. Good luck

Haha what life? haha just joking. Ive just turned 21 so enjoy going out and partying but Nursing school has def toned this down a lot. I work as an AIN a couple of nights a week so sometimes it gets crazy trying to juggle my family, friends, study, uni and work. Im in my last year so things are cooling down a bit, I found it really hard last year and I neglected my friends. My friends are really good though, they understand most of the time. Although I find that most of my mates are non-nursing so they really dont know what it's like - It's not just a matter of failing that unit though is it, what we dont learn or know can adeversly affect our patients so always remind myself of this.

Very true...I experience this a lot at my current job as a carer. Im in my last year of nursing but make a point of not spreading this around. It's funny the way I get treated before people know Im an RN student which is pretty crapy but as soon as they find out they change their tune. I think its really sad that people treat others like this - I have so much respect for the AIN's, cleaners, kitchen staff and will always carry this through my career in nursing. If I saw someone speaking like this to a fellow team member I would be sure to step in and let them know that it's not on!