NickCave

Hey Scrubber, A CN position in QLD generally requires a level of clinical skill rather than years of service. For a Theatre Nurse it may require that you are, and can demonstrate to be, a clinical expert in your field: (eg general/urology/gynae/vascular/neuro etc). You need to be practicing at an advanced level, have demonstrated a level of commitment to that field (eg masters or working towards, a relevant portfolio and preceptorship/education qualities). Following that you generally have to submit a CV and answer relevant selection criteria that cover clinical and professional topics. Once you get short listed you are then interviewed by a panel, who collectively rate your responses to questions against a set of desired responses. As long as you obtain at least 50% you can be eligible for selection. Good luck!

- Swim - Surf - Play guitar

What to expect depends entirely on who you work with and how receptive they are to Student Nurses. As far as Gynae nursing goes, you can expect a lot of emotional women (losing babies, losing the ability to have babies, cancer etc). That said it's generally very "light" as far as nursing goes and generally a very pleasant start to your career. The best thing a student can do is to pre-empt everything. That might be checking PV Loss on a post operative/PV loss patient, getting stuck into post op vital signs, checking IV's before they run out (if they're not on a pump) and also providing an ear to women who've undergone hysterectomy. Just try and stay 1 step ahead of your RN; read up on gynae conditions that you might be looking after and volunteer to do something rather than waiting to be asked. Above all, relax and enjoy yourself!

You're kidding yourself! Queensland are the 2nd highest paid nurses in the country and on average earn about $3/hr more than their NZ counterparts. When you take the exchange rate into consideration there's no contest. The most recent EB agreement (EB6) spelt a 23% wage increase over 3 1/2 years (as opposed to the Kiwis 11% over 3 years), a Professional Development package ($1500 - $2500 per year + paid leave) and a host of other entitlements. See a run down here: http://www.qnu.org.au/__data/page/918/EB6_Newsletter_21_April_PRINT.pdf If anything the Kiwis should be flocking over here to work! I'm sorry but do your research before you make such ridiculous comments!

I suppose that would depend on where you want to go. Generally speaking different agencies concentrate on different areas of Australia. I have done a lot of outback work in Queensland with an excellent agency and some remote work in the Northern territory with another. I now manage the recruitment for a large hospital in Queensland. I deal with Agencies everyday and certainly can tell you the good from the not so good. I'm not sure whether that is allowed on these boards so if you want more info PM me. Cheers.

Hey Jo, Good luck for today! I used to be in a position where I recruited nursing staff for a large Public Hospital. We took about 100 Grads per intake. For those who didn't get offered a position, but still wanted to work at the facility, I forwarded them to the Casual Pool. There is enough work in the current climate to basically get a job anywhere. Such is the current shortage of skilled labour that you are in a position to dictate where YOU want to work not vica versa. If it doesn't work out today and you aren't offered a position, contact the Manager of the Casual Pool of the facility you want to work at. You may need to work Casually for a period of time, but before long one of the wards WILL snap you up and WILL offer you a job. Good luck, but certainly don't despair.

I've done a lot of Agency contracts in Queensland and New South Wales and it really depends on who you go through as far as a "package" goes. It's cut throat as far as staffing goes so most are willing to pay you above award wages and also pay for your flights and accommodation. There's only a few who do it well and if you'd like anymore info then I'd be happy to let you know.