monstermunch

I agree, the University I went to didn't offer much clinical experience so I worked in Aged care for 18 months and then worked as an Assistant in Nursing during my third year at Uni. Both areas have really been beneficial for me, I am doing my GNP now and am loving it!

The Australian version of the Potter and Perry book is written by Crisp and Taylor. I would recommend that you buy the Australian version, Uni's have a tendency to want you to use Australian references as much as possible. It does address Australian nursing, so it is not just spelling changes that have been made. It still uses a lot of American data though. Isn't it easier for you to buy the Australian version, that was the only version that my Uni stocked.

Good on ya RavenRaving

Thanks for your advice joannep. I have done the majority of my placements at the main hospital so I kind of know both hospitals pretty well. What I especially like about the main hospital is that you either have a patient load of 4 or you work together with an EN and have a patient load of 8, also the late shift finishes at 9pm which I think is excellent, also salary sacrificing is available. With the other hospital that is nearer to home you have a patient load of 6 and during the night it is just you and an EN for 16 patients. I don't know the situation for nights at the main hospital as I haven't done a night shift there. Its really hard to choose which hospital to go for, I'm trying to weigh up all the pros and cons and its doing my head in :selfbonk:

:chuckle Yes, I was thinking it would be easier working nearer to home especially as I have children.

Hey congratulations

Well I wasn't offered a place at the Childrens hospital although I have been placed on the reserve list should someone turn down their offer. I can't say I was surprised at not getting in as I mentioned previously I was horrendous in the interview. However I have been offered a place at two other hospitals, not sure which one to choose though. One is the main one in South Australia and the other one is where I am currently working as a nursing assistant, which is near to home. Haven't a clue which to choose as they both have good and bad points.

Thanks for the replies. I had my interview on Monday and it went terribly. My mind went completely blank and I looked like a total idiot, I then kept on going on about how badly I thought the interview was going and then to top it off I left my portfolio in the room and had to wait until they had finished the next interview before I could go in. :uhoh21:

Thanks Gwenith. I've never been interviewed by a panel before, I think your idea about doing mock interviews is good. I did have a practice with my husband the night before but I just fell apart when it came down to the real thing. Oh well, I suppose I'm just going to have to put it behind me and try and learn something from it. Thanks for all your support and suggestions :flowersfo

Well my interview went terribly, I was so nervous my mind went blank for the whole interview resulting in me looking like a complete idiot. I couldn't even explain why I wanted to work there:crying2:

Thanks Gwenith:bow:

Thanks Gwenith, I'm really nervous because I want this so bad

Hi, I am going for an interview at a childrens hospital soon and I want to prepare myself as best as possible and was wondering what sorts of questions are likely to come up during the interview? Any suggestions on possible scenario questions that are likely to come up would be greatly received. Thanks

Hi, I am going for an interview at a childrens hospital soon for a place on a graduate nurse program. I want to prepare myself as best as possible and was wondering what sorts of questions are likely to come up during the interview? Unfortunately I havent been lucky enough to have had any placements on a pediatric ward so I'm hoping that this won't go against me. Any suggestions on possible scenario questions that are likely to come up would be greatly received. Thanks

Thank you!

Thanks CharlieRN that was exactly the kind of information I was looking for.

Hi, I am contemplating doing a graduate diploma in mental health when I have completed my nursing degree and was wondering if you could tell me what a typical day as a psych nurse would be, assuming there is a typical day of course. For example, do you start your day with a handover followed by obs and medications, ADL's and then observing and activities? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks amnurse1989, its much appreciated!

Hi I'm am in the final year of my nursing degree and I am about to go on my final clinical placement in a few weeks time. I was wondering what sort of objectives I should write for undertaking my placement in an outpatient area. I will be dealing with dermatology patients, eye procedures, urodynamics and minor procedures such as prostate biopsies. I have to write a 1500 word clinical learning proposal based on 5 areas in my placement. Ive never been to outpatients before so I am unsure of what to write, for example if I was going to a ward for my placement I could cover things such as Admission and discharge documentation, medication administration, PCA's etc. However, I have been told I will not be doing any documentation, the only drugs they use are eye drops and maybe panadol. I can use wound dressing for one of my areas but I was wondering if you could give me any ideas as to other items I can cover. Unfortunately my assignment has to be completed before I go out on my placement so any help will be greatly appreciated.

I think most nursing homes will take first year students after they have been on placement and then during your third year you can work in hospitals as a third year undergrad.

Thanks for your advice Gwenith. What everyone has said makes perfect sense and I know that year will fly by, so it looks as though I shall be applying for a place on a GNP this year then:rolleyes:

:chuckle

Thanks for your reply Froghair. In South Australia you can be accepted onto the mid program straight after completing your nursing degree. However I know deep down that I would be better off to do my GNP first.

Thanks for your honesty GraceOz :) and the time you have taken to answer my questions, it is much appreciated even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear :chuckle

Thanks for your reply, I know you are right, I guess I am just eager to start midwifery but I know that what you are saying makes sense and its not as though I don't find nursing rewarding or anything as I do, its just that midwifery is what I have been dreaming about for a long time. I guess one extra year of waiting won't hurt:) I was thinking of working as a third year undergraduate in hospital to gain some experience as I would get my own patient load, do you think this would give me enough experience? I know that the RN will ultimately be responsible for everything I do so that would be a major difference to doing the GNP.