JoMcShane

Oh yes, same me..... if you are a good nurse anyone will take you back! from someone with a 2yr old trying to work around a shiftworker partner and daycare...not easy!

If you are Aussie and at work and have net access and try emergencyweb.net Dr and nurses use it, all over Aust and its a free resource.

I love it when ICU nurses become ED nurses! (from an Australian perspective) firstly because they unsderstand ventilation. Its hard for a ED nurse to get good ventilation trianing because once we tube them we get them out ASAP. The only thing some ICU nurses stuggle with is managing many patients at once, and the hectic pace- BUT you get used to it. Good luck...once you become a ED you never look back!

To the Co2 emmission person- it clearly states in the framework you must keep a portfolio. Check out the website!

Just remember esp with the 3LP stuff- that the CPD has to be relevant to your area of practice. RCNA is $400 a year to be a member- I can't afford that! Rumours are going around about the $500 fee- will be around $120 next year, but who knows after that! There are tons of info out there about portfolios- just reading the articles will contribute to your CPD hrs. Most nurses who are even slightly keen will have no problems getting these hr up. Even preceptoring a student counts! They will be looking though for a wide range of evidence ie reading 20hrs of articles wont cut it, and you have to reflect on how the learning has impacted your practice, so keep a little in-service journal or something like that. Is anyone out there considering using a e-portfolio?

Im doing my masters paper on portfolios and am really suprised about the comments I have heard. From the literature I have been reading, I was under the impression that as part of registering in the USA, you had to maintain a portfolio? Nurses in Austrlia as of this year will need to keep a portfolio to demonstrate their competency in nursing. Other things you can put in your portfolio include: evidence of CPD, audit participation, inservices attended, team meetings, reviewing hospital policies, involvement in quality actvities or research, mandatory competencies, workshops attended and finally reflective pieces of writing.

I think that Im not the right person to compare Australian and American nursing, BUT from my personal experience, I had only been a nurse for a few years when I went there, and found doing a full secondary assessment on someone with a sore thumb tedious especially when I could not speak Arabic. In saying that, I got in trouble a lot- borderline bullied! BUT, I did come back a better nurse. I think mentoring and supporting nurses work out alot better than saying please explain why you did not do this last week etc. One of my friends is in Saudi at the moment- Ill ask her to post a comment. As to the person who made the comment about the muslim boyfriend, bad idea which is why it didn't last long! BUT you learn by your mistakes don't you. Not so much because I was not Muslim, but because it is illegial to be in the company of a man who is not your husband or brother in Saudi. Also, if something bad happens to you in their company, it will be your fault no matter what you did. Remember the girl who was charged for being gang raped in Jeddah was it? I have read some amazing books for those who are looking at going to Saudi- In The land of Invisable Women by Qanta Ahmed- a biography about a American muslim female doctor in Saudi, and The Bin Ladens by Steve Coll- which gives insight into the history of Saudi- excellent reads both! As stated before, Saudi is a great cultural experience, you just have to be aware and safe!

Hi, I worked in Saudi just before the Iraq war broke out and was well liked as an Aussie (they did not care for Americans that much), but they probably don't like Aussies much now either. Either way, I went for the cultural experience- and it was well worth it. I came back a different person. However, I didn't last the year. The place was run by phillipinos nurses (most of them nice!- however clicky), and the nursing was American style, which was difficult for me, but I got used to it. The patients were LOVELY! Really, true muslims are lovely (Im not muslim), and the women are quick to point out that Islam in Saudi is extreme and not to judge in on your experience in Saudi. I met some wonderful locals, I went to a patients house for dinner, dated a local boy (not recommended- I could have been in serious trouble if caught), travelled to both sides of the country, went to the gold markets and markets, diving etc Some words of warning.... Ask about accomadation. I worked for King Failsal and it had seperate male/female compounds, BORING!!!! Don't expect to build your wealth. I spent it on getting out of the country for decent freedom type holidays. The abaya is awesome, annonymity and poor fashion sense underneath is ok Riyad is dry heat- strict, Jeddah is humid- not as strict They do not try and shove their religion down your throat, so be respectful- they deserve it We brewed our own wine...very illegial, but everyone does it- just don't ever be drunk in public. Alcholism is actually a problm in Saudi- they just don't acknowlede it Be safe- never leave the compound as a woman alone Be prepared to be stared at...alot. Very annoying, there are so many expat Indian/Sri Lankans that hardley ever see westerners. The local religious police- mettawa- even the locals hate them, just COVER YOUR HEAD when they are around...no big deal. Finally, have fun, its not as bad as people make it out to be. It can be lonely, but put yourself out there and try and make friends, and it comes. I worked on Cruise Ships as a nurse afterwoods, and enjoyed it much better. Hope this helps!