ozViking

I completely agree that we should have strict requirements on English proficiency for nurses. It just seems to be more logical to place that requirement at the beginning of a degree rather than at the exit point. And it makes me worry about the quality of Australian nursing schools if students are passing without a working knowledge of English. Anyway, as I said, I'm being petulant. I'll sit the test, but not without whingeing about it for a while oh, and I really don't mind doing the "crap" jobs. The exciting parts of nursing make up for that! And it's certainly better than sitting behind a desk all day getting fat and lazy.

I have a number of close friends that are SLPs, some OT friends, and a bunch of Nursing friends. In each category, there are some that love their profession, some that see it as simply a way to earn a living, and others that are actively looking to change professions. I think you really have to research the scope and reality of each profession. Then take a long hard look at what kind of person you are, and who you want to be. No profession will guarantee happiness or misery. As a nursing student though, I'd have to say that to me nursing appears to have the broadest spectrum of career options once you graduate. Which I like.

When the new Australian national registration system for nurses started in July, the English language requirements for new registrations were tightened. There has been some back and forth regarding overseas nurses from other English-speaking countries, but I think at the moment the registration board requires you to sit an English test if you did your secondary (high school) education in a non-English speaking country. This is not just for overseas-trained nurses, it includes new grads from Australian universities. I understand the reasoning behind having strict language requirements for health professionals. I'm just somewhat confused about the need to have an English test at the exit point of an education, when international nursing students already have to sit such a test to be accepted into any Australian university. What does it say about the quality of our universities when the registration board doesn't trust successful graduates to have a working knowledge of English? Surely you cannot possibly pass all your exams, assignments, and clinical placements without being able to communicate well? I'm a permanent resident and I have lived in Australia for the best part of a decade. My grad entry nursing degree is my third degree at an Australian university. I have a Journalism degree and an International Relations Masters degree. I work for the government when I'm not at uni, where I use English at an advanced working level both in written and spoken form. My secondary education, however, was in a non-English speaking country. Therefore, before I graduate next year, I have to pay $350 to sit an English test. I'm not too worried about the test, but as a student I have better things to spend my money on. So I'll have a bit of a whinge about it. Is it just my petulance about having to pay for this test that renders me unable to see the logic of forcing new grads from Australian universities to prove their competence in English?

your back is not considered sterile so turning your back on the sterile field is comparable to someone not scrubbed in stepping up to a sterile field. Same reason why two persons scrubbed in pass each other back to back (or front to front). As for coughing - I'd do what's said above, step back, cough into shoulder/armpit.

If you're only in your mid twenties you'll be more likely to be one of the youngest in your grad entry program. I'm a grad entry student at Griffith, I turn 30 this year and we have plenty of students in their 40s and 50s. There are also many EENs doing their RN qualification, many of them are older too. Among the 'normal' undergrads there are of course many younger ones. I'm very pleased with Griffith thus far, but I would have liked more clinicals. At least as a grad entry student you skip the first year where you only get to do one week placement, in aged care... We do progressively more placements each semester - if you do the accelerated option you do eight weeks full time in semester 1 year 3 (year 2 as a grad entry). This semester (sem 1 year 2) we've only done 2 weeks full time though - I would have liked to see more. Lots of clinical work in labs though which I guess makes up for some of it. Good luck with it, hope you are able to make it in by July! oh and by the way if you do the grad entry accelerated option at Griffith you are able to get your RNs in 18 months, so same as UQ. Also keep in mind the UQ program is in Ipswich I believe, while Griffith has campuses both in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

I'm three weeks into my graduate entry summer school introductory courses (here in Australia), and I have been able to watch most of the soccer I usually watch. DVR is gold, I record games and use it as a treat when I have some time. Once the regular semester starts in March I'll have more time than over the summer semester, so I'm not too fearful about missing out on my sports... Anyone planning to watch the olympics? So many events, too many exams!

UQ is a good university, one of the best in Australia. My studies there were unrelated to nursing so I couldn't tell you about the quality of that particular program. The direct entry master's they offer is pretty much equivalent to the nursing graduate entry bachelor degree at Griffith uni that I start in a couple of weeks. It's two years of study, you get your nursing license. Don't know why UQ calls it a Master's, but I suspect it is because they can collect higher tuiton fees. Most universities around Brisbane offer similar programs, look into QUT, Griffith, ACU. btw, this is the program I am entering: http://www17.griffith.edu.au/cis/p_cat/program/BN_strands.htm#Gradac

I'm really sorry that you failed, but your dream is only over if you choose it to be. There is always a way to get back on track. You have been through some tough times, you will get through these too. When that is said, that is harsh harsh harsh failing by one point. I would be gutted too. Maybe this is a good time to invoke Churchill: "Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm"

Where in Qld are you moving to?

I am 29. I just told my boss that I will be leaving in January to do a graduate entry Bachelor of Nursing. Can't wait to get off this chair and away from this screen...