lisamaree

I just wanted to say....I am really enjoying 12 hr shifts ( I experienced 8.5hr shifts as a student, but have been workin 12hrs since getting employment as an RN). The reason for this is I shifted cities to take up my RN role - moved to NZ's major paediatric hospital. I think it's beneficial for the kids to have only 2 nurses per 24hr period - helps with consistency of care..and less messages etc getting 'lost in handover' And I'm loving only working 3 days a week..sure some days off are spend recovering from night shifts - but its so different from friends back at home working standard shifts, who feel they're always at work! Just my 2 cents!

I agree with NZ RN above. I work at Auckland Hospital (well the childrens' hospital, Starship) :wink2: Check out the nearby suburbs NZ RN suggested - I live in Parnell, which is on the Link Bus route (also included Newmarket, Ponsonby and other central city suburbs). This is a bus that runs regularly, leaving approx every 15 mins and travelling in a loop. One of the stops is Auckland City Hospital, so it's very convenient - and if you live further away and need to drive, you can park in the Newmarket carpark building (at a cost though) and catch the bus from there to the Hospital. Best of all, the Hospital gives you free vouchers for the Link bus, so my transport to and from work costs me nothing. If you live further away, I think car parking at the Hospital for staff costs approx $25/wk. But I would also urge you to look at moving closer if you do want to persue the job - long commute times and shift work is not a good mix. All the best of luck! :redpinkhe

I don't wear one myself, because I'm not married However, I think our hospital policy is that one plain wedding band may be worn. Of course I see nurses wearing all manner of rings ...one wears a particularly large claw-set engagement ring. I cringe when I think of the infection control risk, and how easily that could scratch a baby or kiddies skin (work in paeds). So my advice would be...a nice rubover setting or plain band...or get something super sparkly and gorgeous, and just wear when not at work! :redpinkhe

Hello! I'm in Auckland too - starting at Starship on the 29th!! Sorry I don't really know the answer to your question - but I have similar plans - work here for a year or two and then perhaps head to Melbourne or Dubai. I have also heard pay rates vary depending on where you are from...NZ / Aussie nurses get more than other nationalities, apparrently. Have you seen those little recruitment / job offer booklets the hospitals have on the wards? They have a lot of ads for 'nurses wanted' in there, especially for Aus / Saudi. If you can get hold of one, they usually have websites you can visit for more info. Hope that helps a little!! :tinkbll:

Hi nyapa; sorry I just saw your question! :redpinkhe Where I'm going, we have one 10-month placement. That suits me just fine...I take awhile to settle in and really feel like I 'know' an area. Other hospitals here give their new grads two 6-month placements. Only 4 days to go til I start now...feeling a bit nervous but excited as well

Thank you! I have just had the results of the State Exam (NZ) I passed!! I am off to Starship (kids' hospital) later next month. It's so exciting and scary...I can't wait :roll

Oh I should explain...I don't actually start my new-grad nursing job until Jan 29th '08, so I'm working in a retail job over summer. Boxing day is the busiest retail day of the year, and I need money to move to where my nursing job is, so...needs must

Dar15, much like you my family celebrate Xmas with a BBQ, seafood (tho not for me - don't like the stuff!) fruit salad, pavlova etc I think it's nicer than the traditional hot Xmas dinner in our climate! I'm working the day before Xmas and the day after, so I'll drive over to the beach on xmas eve where my family is staying for Xmas like last year...there are some wind-y spots, so here's hoping I don't have to practice any nursing skills on the way!

My friend, who commited suicide just over a year ago. I hadnt seen him for awhile when I found out he'd died, but it hit hard - we were in the same group of friends as teenagers and we worked together at our first after school jobs. His best friend was my first boyfriend, and he dated my friend. If I could see him, I'd tell him how much we all miss him and his cheeky sense of humour. I wonder if he could explain what possibly made him feel there was no other way out. I'd tell him just how much it hurt to say goodbye for one final time. I'd tell him about all I've achieved in the time since I'd seen him last. I wore my nursing uniform to his funeral because I had to attend my clinical placement that afternoon, and because I knew he'd never have the chance to see me in it. I think of him almost every day and hope he is in a good place.

Firstly - please don't think I'm too odd, I think necessity really is the father of invention! On the ward I was on last (surgical) we always had huge bags of chipped ice in the ward kitchen freezer. Since it was getting into summer and was so thirsty by the middle of the afternoon, I'd half fill a glass with milk, add sugar and coffee, stir like crazy and top up with ice. I've never made it at home, but it was soooo nice :) (and kind of what I was remembered for-everyone else thought it was a bit strange!)

I was an assistant manager at a retail store and volunteer with St John (ambulance service here). I knew I couldn't work in retail forever, it bored me too much. At least in nursing I feel I'm fulfilling my potential (yes even on those crazy busy, hectic stressful days) and it might be cliche, but at least I feel like I am making a difference now. I know this is the right career for me!!

well that's state exam over!!! whoohoo!! :roll There were a lot of mental health questions - fortunatley mostly the common-sense kind. I loved all the emergency scenario questions on the second paper - I find them so easy, done countless first aid courses and now volunteer with st john How did anyone else find the exam???

Yes I do wear natural looking makeup. To me it reflects a professional look - I do care about my appearance! Unfortunatly it can be easily overdone - never a good look in any profession..particularly ours! :uhoh21: I try to pick makeup that holds up well (ie stays on during the shift without melting!). I usually touch it up on my break. but its not my top priority. Interestingly where I live (New Zealand) most nurses I have seen don't wear any makeup.

Good idea for a thread! Sometimes when I get home from a PM shift I feel too 'wired' to sleep. I'll go online for awhile or watch TV (quietly) or read a good book / magazine. On days off I like to go to the gym (increasing my fitness level has me sleeping better and generally feeling healthier!!), sew / make crafty stuff; listen to music; go to the beach (in summer) or hot pools (winter); and catch up with nursing and non-nursing friends. And after all this busy-ness I wonder why I don't manage to meet Mr Right, lol!

Hey! Yes I'll be on 24-B (general surgery; paediatric) - a combo. of my two faveourite specialities! It'll be great to 'know' someone else before I start! I live in hamilton so will be moving to auckland mid-Jan (gotta find a flat, central :uhoh21: ) A bit scary but yeah there will be the orientation days! And one of my good mates in the course has also got a new-grad placement there in PICU. Good luck with studying and with State!! Sounds like you are totally onto it.