RNSunny

Hello everyone I will be starting work as a band 5 RN in a dementia ward in the UK. I have had home care work experience but not in an acute care (dementia rehab) setting, and so moving into a hospital setting would be quite daunting for me in terms of 'working within the ward system' sort of thing. I am wondering if anyone could please provide guidance or helpful ideas about your day in similar ward including AM, PM and/or night; who to speak to when there is a problem with the patient; what is expected from a band 5 staff nurse; and everything you would like a new nurse in the ward need to know. Cheers, RnSunny

Hello, I suspect that you are now in the UK doing the ONP..maybe focus on your ONP programme first-hand as you cannot work as an RN without the license to practice as a qualified nurse in the country. One ONP student I knew went out there and found a temporary job in one of the hospitals in London while completing her ONP until she qualified as a nurse in the UK (NMC registered). Have you applied through an agency recruitment? Maybe asked them if they could assist you in finding a temporary work, but that depends on the type of UK visa issued to you or whether you need a work permit is another thing. Would be nice to let us know how you are progressing. Cheers!

IELTs seem to be very easy for the native English speakers. However, from personal experience, I've met few examinees who were native English speaking and not passed the IELTS first and second time while there were non-english speaking who get a high mark at the first seating. In the writing section, it was more of writing organisations, methinks, rather than whether one was from an English speaking background or not. I'd say that for native English speakers, a score of 8 in writing is very good enough with first seating, and, I would say that a score of 8 and below in speaking would be something like "ugggh"!

Hi all, I have just completed the ONP and sent a form to the NMC a few days ago. Anyone out there with experiences in regards to waiting time for registration fee form and the actual release of PIN? I am planning to travel and want to plan well coz I dont want to miss that final? letter from the NMC. Cheers, Sunny

Hi, Just like other suggestions in this site relating to IELTS or other requirements, you need to contact the Nursing Board of that particular jurisdiction to have your querries answered and get the proper information. Good day

Hi, can't you go to that university where you did your degree and get someone in authority to sign off the documents, so that you don't have to wait a long time? Anyway, from what i know, the NMC will send you a letter to say that there are forms pending that need follow up by the applicant. As you may be aware of, the NMC gives 6 months time to complete the requirements and if you think you are near that 6 months and the requirements are not completed as expected, then probably you could write to the NMC and request for an extension. From what I understand, they give just ONE extension to complete the applications. Cross fingers for whatever you do. Sunny

From experience, the NMC will accept every application by merits. What I mean is that, application requirements may vary in different countries and states. For example, in Canada, requirements for nursing registration in BC can differ from those required by nursing Colleges (or registration bodies) in other jurisdictions such as Quebec, Ontario or Newfoundland. If in doubt, however, you could ask the NMC. Let us know through this forum how you are getting on with your application. :redbeathe be persevering!

I suppose you mean, the second application pack. I suppose you could send the other documents to NMC while the other forms will be sent to them by the University where you had your degree, the registering body in your home country and the employers where you actually worked as a RN. Hope this helps.

Hello all, Hmm...just wondering if that was a made up conversation? It is sort of strange that a medical student would say like that in an obvious manner, unless you both were throwing jokes at each other. I remember the times, when I was on clinicals as a student nurse, that the medstudents seem to have found new friends in Nurses. I see them asking questions if they have done the things right. There was no time to exchange hard feelings between nurse and students. Anyway, if that conversation really occured to you, then I would say it is not the kind of attitude that was expected of the med student, even if s/he had a completely bad day in the office. However, if that kind of thing ever happened to me, I would certainly report him to his supervisor.

Hi Silverdragon102 and KatieP86, Many thanks... yes, I have asked some nursing agencies and one hospital. I also emailed some organisation in the area where I live that says 'looking for volunteers'. No response yet at this time. Hope to hear from anyone very soon.

Hello everyone Currently I am in the UK. I have asked for a registration package from NMC and awaiting for response. Well, at the moment I couldn't do anything but wait, but I am not the type who likes to be on my bum. I dont mind volunteering within a healthcare setting to keep me sane and active :) if anyone will take me on board. What could you suggest? Good to hear from everyone.

Hi to all IENs Could I please ask, do you really need to get a job offer before travelling to Canada? I just dont get the idea of travelling only for the CRNE exam. I have read many threads about the CRNE but not many people mention about having a job offer. It would be much helpful for other IENs if we could hear from those who already had 'been there, done that' kind of experience. We would be very happy to hear from you fellas. Cheers

Good to be back to the site again after few days. You are right Listry and I noticed that in aged care, resistance to change is incredible...and yes, i could see what you mean coz it is actually observed. Sometimes, it is sad to think that staff attitude towards positive changes is near to nil. Thank you for sharing your opinions. Anyway, i am surviving the first year of nursing the elderly. I am into a new mission this year and being here now has helped me a lot with nursing profession. Cheers everyone and all the best.

Thank you fellas for sharing your opinions and experiences. I noticed that some caregivers who have been in the organisation for 10 Yrs++ are the ones showing such 'nasty' attitudes to others, and 3 new caregivers for the last few months that i was there had resigned because of these 'nastiness'. But yes, i have learned not to let these kind of people play their cards on me...true enough from what others always say, to "watch your back". I began doing that and being assertive at every opportunity. cheers all!

Thank you Grace for a prompt response. I really felt bad but I took the comments from my boss positively. And yes i agree, as a first year RN I have loads of things or 'issues' that i need to understand and look at it positively to reassess and evaluate my communication skills improve myself. I felt disappointed that other RNs in my workplace would manipulate others for their own interest. We have a policy for staff complaint but looked like anything goes to the manager straight away. I came from Australia to NZ and I worked as an AIN in a reputable aged care facility and for the 3 years that I have been there, any issues were resolved fairly by staff themselves first before asking someone of a better position to mediate. I agree with you.. never to get involved or listen to unhealthy conversation. My husband comforts me saying that I am still in the storming side of management...it will take time before I moved on to the next. I felt good that someone is there. Thanks to allnurses.com.

I currently work in an aged care facility from April 2009. When i first arrived in this workplace...I observed that other staff, especially the caregivers are observing what I do. One time during my 2nd month with them, I was informed by one caregiver that I was not liked in the place and that "she bloody does not know what she's doing..she should leave" was the statement. Well, I just shrugged off what I heard...who knows what if that is really true. Afterall, I am not there to be liked or like them. Everyone else appears so nice at work but there are also stories of warnings. Other times, Caregivers would come to me and report that an RN "is not helpful at all"; "i don't want to work with that RN because she gives a hard time"; or that RN only "sits all the time and so we were late with completing our duties yesterday". All those sorts of thing. Hearing these I did not want to get involved at all. I think it is a danger zone! although, I commented that either deal with it or maybe go talk to the manager if they think it affects them. It has been 8 months now since i worked in this place. Now, I just realised that I was backstabed. These same people who came to me saying loads of complaints about RNs in the last few months are the same people who did stabbed me at the back. How sad! They complained to the Nurse manager that i was giving them a hard time - what a load of bullocks I would say! Oh dear....Well, I had a meeting with my boss...but the saddest thing was....the Nurse manager favoured the caregivers and even suggested that maybe I need to change the way i approach caregivers ... "maybe call them 'sweetie' so they will do what u asked them to do". I listened to my boss with due respect during that meeting but is that a professional advice at all? There were some advice where I expressed my agreement with and took it positively. It looked like the stories went around to most staff by words of mouth an I could see that the caregivers took their sides....but on the other end..I deemed not to be affected by all...because I am not there to be liked...I will stay to do things under my scope and keep my residents safe and be guided by my professional conduct as a nurse. I just learned to put on a thick mask especially in this type of environment. Thank u for listening. RNsunny

Looks like u have plenty to think about now girl. Maybe just go where u think u want to go and as i said in the other reply,work and have an adventure at the same time. Dont listen to heresay. U will never know till u try and been there. xx

I agree with ya. Many people complain of having nil job when the job is there for a grab. We are hard working Filipinos. I am a new grad so i want to explore nursing areas and have an adventure as well. I am in New Zealand now, cold but no worries coz i originally came from my home town that is also cold...northern Phil so to say. xx Cheers and good luck fellow nurses.

How true:scrying: Same here, I have talked to few people who were cheated by some unscrupulous agencies who take advantage of other people. And it really make very angry inside. But again, I do not understand why some would take the bait. The communication technology is here for a reason and why can't one use it. I understand the implications of time and money wasted by not going through to the right people. Nursing school, government websites and nursing organisations can assist in matters like that posted above. So to some of u who plans to study or learn english, do some research. xx xx

Hi Lucia Why do u have to go through such agency/cpmpany when u can direct ur concerns to the Australian State Nursing board. Give u some suggestion: 1. decide which state u want to work in OZ. 2. Contact the Nursing Board of that state. The Board will provide u all the information u need so u can work in the country. 3. read some of the threads that has been discussed in the Australian /New Zealand discussion board...heaps of info there for u. 4. do ur research on how to work as a nurse in the country. I don't mean to be patronising, I just want u to go through the right people / direction. Hope this answers ur querries. :redbeathe

Hi I just graduated from one of the Uni here in NSW. I want to specialise in nephrology / renal. MY family will be moving to NZ very soon for some family commitments. Maybe start my career from there. OZ is good, and I would love to come back here. Lots of my friends are nurses in public/private/ nursinghomes. They are Filipinos too who are now Australians. If u are working in the ED, good career choice, Mate:heartbeat I understand the ED is really a very busy unit and high staff turnover, even here. Been there for my clinical placements, and I like it too coz it was never boring and lots of hands-on skills to pick up. One of the doctors who happened to be a friend of mine, recommends that if i have a choice..'start in the ED'. Where in the Phil u are from? xx

Hi jaycee_ty Pros: These places are all OK. Nursing experience depends on the ward culture really. Cons: if u don't mind the weather...hot humid flooding...pls dont get this change ur plan for OZ coz it is nice here...I know for sure that Filipinos are resilient in terms of weather, so, wherever u are u be alright. U just have to enjoy ur stay Well, we can't have both worlds, do we? Anyways, where abouts in NZ do u live? which nursing specialty do u work at? Its a shame I have to leave OZ for NZ for sometime. Hope thesebits of info would help ur plan. :) cheers

Hi rupie thanks for ur post Well each one has his own experience and most often, the bad ones put our spirits down. And I could understand that. I respect each individual'sopinion and it is good to hear from u who share their work conditions. From reading most of the threads in Australia, NZ and other nurses overseas, it seems to me that nursing experiences are relative :wink2:. I agree that money in OZ is better compared to NZ, but hey, nurses and doctors here too are overworked too. I am currently working in a nursing home and in a public hospital. I observed how nurses do their duties and express how tired they are at end of shift and how crappy their shift was....sometimes they have to stay longer to cover someone else shift..(reason: not really sure). XX

Hello scarah Hmmm...I thought nurses in Vic have lesser patient to nurse ratio which would means less stressful?? I am in NSW and from my experience as a student nurse, most of the public hospitals where I did my placements usually have 10 or more patients per Rnurse + 1 EN in the medsurge floor, so if there were 30 patients in a unit then 3 RNs 3 ENs. Same in the private hospitals where I did placements. It is usually up to the RNs to equally share the patient load among themselves. I have not seen any med surg floor that has less than 10 patient load per RN in all shift. It was always more than that. My friends work in the public hospital and they sometimes tell me that they have 12 patient to look afte, but they are experienced nurses and the numbers do not really count. They :heartbeat what they are doing. Why do u want NSW for grad year?:heartbeat