littlehobo

Thanks for that. The manual that I downloaded seemed to tabulate the resources so that Labs, ECG/Xrays, and CT/MRI were in the same resource category. Is the ESI extensively used in the US?

Hi, I'm after some guidance from anyone using the ESI Triage tool which we are about to audit against the Manchester Triage Tool. I have read the manuals but one bit is a bit unclear. When you get down to catergorising as 3 onwards and it asks about resources do bloods and ECG count as seperate resources? Its just in the appendix guidance it puts bloods and ECG in the same box making it look like they are one resource? So a bog standard Chest pain if they only had bloods/ECG could be ESI level 4? Or if they are 2 resources they would be level 3.....

Oh dear, you Aussies do take yourself far too seriously. You'll start banging on about the cricket next.

put it this way, i'm listening to the grease soundtrack on the radio, and at the new years celebrations they had a break dancing act.

I found getting registration in Oz very easy. My job interview was over the phone and resulted in a job offer within a week! The working conditions are excellent, and theres no doubt that the care appears to be better than in the UK because of better resources etc. Having said that, we are still coming home, its a fantastic country in many ways and the quality of life is excellent, but it still feels like they're stuck in the 80's out here!

I work in Brisbane at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Which is one of the main public hospitals, the other being the Royal Brisbane. I would recommend it as an excellent place to work, the building is only 7 years old and they place a great deal of emphasis on staff training and welfare. Having said that, I'm still coming home, Oz just isn't the UK!

I had a feeling the responses to my intital post would be in this vain, buts its just so maddening that the NHS is being allowed to collapse like this! Something needs to happen to fix the situation. In Australia the job is just so much less stressful and as a result the care is much better. Whilst out here, as well as working as an RN I've experienced being a patient. To be honest I am so glad that I became unwell over here and not at home! Things just seem to happen so much quicker because resources are so much better. I had MRI and CT scans within 2 hours of being requested, not 2 days as in the UK. All fluids go through pumps, any patient can have an air matteress on the same day, theres electric beds everywhere. Wards don't fight each other for equipment because theres enough to go around. If a ward is short staffed they bring in agency/bank straight away. If they can't staff a ward, they close beds! Threre are still things better in the UK of course. The main thing is that British nurses seem to have a better sense of humour, probably because they need it. Theres not much banter on Ozzie wards! Also the Dr/Nurse relationship is a bit 1980s and they have some slightly old fashioned ideas and an obsesseion with burettes! But thats about it, the pay is also relatively better here, and theres lots of jobs! Problem is, its just so bloody far from home!!!!

Hi all. My partner and I are working in Australia at the moment and are due to return next year. We're getting more and more worried that we're not even going to be able to find jobs as nurses when we come home! We're getting so many horror stories from home about nursing redundancies and job freezes. To a certain extent this has been backed up by the NHS jobs websites which seems to be lacking in any jobs! How has this happened!!! The Trust that we used to work for is having 60 nursing redundancies and all the G grades (or whatever they're called now) have had to reapply for the positions, as they're too many of them! They've even shut a ward, despite being on bed state red. So, be honest, are the doom-mongers justified, is the NHS in melt down????

Some fantastic advice, I don't know why though, but I keep getting drawn to Kangaroo Point!!!

Do either of you actually work in the PAH. Just trying to find out how the shift system works. I'm going to be working in the medical unit and my girlfriend in the ED and we're a bit worried we're never actually going to see each other!! They seemed to be saying that we get 4 days off a fortnight, and that the shifts are listed about 2 weeks in advance. Does that sound right?

Hooray!! Me and my other half both now have jobs at the PAH in Brisbane, starting when we get over there in July, all being well with the Visa. Just a quick question, any recommendations on suitable suburbs to get a rental property in. Really want somewhere close to the hospital, but also close to citylife! Any suggestions gratefully received!!

Hi, It is Queensland we are travelling to in JUly. Is the maternity leave only available after a years service presumably?

Not been hugely impressed by the agency so far, so sent out some of our own CV's but the agency found out and we got a bit of a slapped wrist! We're now looking at Brisbane instead without the aid of an agency and already have an interview with the Princess Alexandra Hospital!

Hi, I know that this has prob been discussed before, but I just want an opinion.... My girlfriend and I are planning to come to Melbourne from the UK in August time, currently we're going through an agency for the job, but am thinking that maybe I would be better off applying directly to the hospitals. I'm just worried that the agency does not seem to be producing much in the way of results, and if they do get me a job, they don't really do anything additional anyway, its still up to me (or the employer) to sort out the visa, accommodation etc. I've already got my application for registration in, so any opinions on agencies? I was thinking of staying with them, but then applying directly for a couple of jobs anyway, sound like a good option???!! Any tips gratefully received!!!

Hi, Is it true that nurses (and presumably everyone else) in Australia are not entitled to paid maternity leave? We're going through the process of moving over to Melbourne to work and my girlfriend is a bit surprised (thinking long term obviously!!!)