public system western australia

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jun 15, 2011

I left WA not long ago and mainly worked in the private system but did some public work as a RN. You can get anywhere from 4-7 patients or more if they are short staffed. I did work at one of the major public hospitals one night, & it was chaos - they were short staffed (nothing new) & I ran around like a headless chook the whole night.

NurseWest is the body that controls ALL hospitals, nursing agencies (except a few, private ones) and health facilities in WA. But beware: if ANYBODY complains about you - even if it's not justified - NurseWest can just tell the agency or tell you you simply don't have a job anymore. They are not under any obligation to have you or the patient investigated. This system only exists in WA as far as I'm aware. I had to also pay a lot of extra money not only to move to WA, but had to complete mounds of paperwork, plus to get extra criminal screenings and clearances done. It was very expensive.

I worked for some great private hospitals, their ratio is about 1:6, but on nightshift, I've had 10 post op patients on orthopaedics and surgery - very, very busy!! So private hospitals are no different from public really in their work ratio.

Contact NurseWest for more info - you can Google them.

I myself would NOT go through NurseWest again - they are extremely unfair and judgemental and do not listen to any explanations re anything - they are a very biased and discriminating nursing body, with too much power.

Grace Oz · Jun 20, 2011

they are extremely unfair and judgemental and do not listen to any explanations re anything - they are a very biased and discriminating

Nothings changed in WA it would appear!

It was like this back in 1976!

The way they operate is as if the rest of Australia doesn't exist.

Back in the 1970's, you never dare try and educate them to move forward into the modern era! You were promplty told: 'you're not "over east" now!'

The arrogance and attitude was appalling!

There is a definite "them and us" attitude between WA and the rest of Australia.

And, that mindset/attitude comes primarily and predominantly from the west australians!

Grace Oz · Jun 20, 2011

Addit:

@ Barb, good luck in finding a job you like, Barb! :)

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

Nothings changed in WA it would appear!
It was like this back in 1976!
The way they operate is as if the rest of Australia doesn't exist.
Back in the 1970's, you never dare try and educate them to move forward into the modern era! You were promplty told: 'you're not "over east" now!'
The arrogance and attitude was appalling!
There is a definite "them and us" attitude between WA and the rest of Australia.
And, that mindset/attitude comes primarily and predominantly from the west australians!

Yes Grace, I did a lot of research B4 I moved to WA, and I did not get this side of the story!

I live and worked in WA 25 years ago nearly now (not as a RN) but in large, teaching hospitals. I went back to the same large hospitals - and things with booking surgery etc seemed worse than when I was there b4. Think it was good I got out when I did! WA is sadly, behind in a lot of things which is a pity, cos Perth is a beautiful and very clean city and I was a bit sad to leave

I feel like saying to N/West: get with it peoples! This is the 21st CENTURY NOW (but no-one would listen anyway!)

How u going Barb?

bulletproofbarb · Jun 21, 2011

ah, thanks for the replies. I am just plodding along really. I have looked at job applications for three public hospitals but have not apllied to any yet.

I am not sure if I should just apply and maybe even though I gather things have not improved, a change may be what I need.

To be honest I am in a rut and until I do something proactive I'll just stay in the rut.

I miss working with patients and other people but I dont miss the politics ect. I could almost double my current wage by doing 7 days a fortnight in a hospital or I could continue to struggle and stay where I am but to be honest, the longer I stay there the harder it is to get the motivation up to do anything. I am getting bored and hate doing all the late shifts...just me on and one other person who is in charge so they stay in the office..it's a really lonely job. I dont think this is helping how I feel...but at the same time it is easy no brains required work.

I have inetrview for nursewest soon. Will see how that goes...do some casual shifts and maybe make a decsion from there.

Grace Oz · Jun 21, 2011

((((Barb)))))

Sounds as though the best option would be to jump ship from where you are and "step outside the square", tackle new challenges, meet new / /more people, dust off the boredom gremlins, GO FOR IT!

Better to regret what you do in life than regret NOT having a go.

Trust me, Barb, you're still young, it might be a bit scary going out on a limb, but that's where the best fruit grows!

Cheers ........ :)

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2011

Barb, I'm in a rut too, have done some horrid nursing jobs lately. I gave up working for a while to study, but now the money has run out

On top of that I have to move as well so need to find accommodation.

Ahh, this thing we call life! Mine is never static, it always seems to be full of commotion and chaos!

Just apply for everything and practice up on the interviews. Also tell the nursing agencies you only do certain shifts - stand up to them and be firm - or they will be calling you at 5 am and all other hours to fill shifts. Some agencies are great, others suck. But I tell them FIRMLY up front what I can and can't do, and I give it to them in written form so it's in my file too.

Did you ask re doing pscyh shifts? That can be a change from the wards.

I will email you shortly anyway, keep smiling (I know it's hard some days, I really do!)

PS: I worked in nursing HR for 3 years, if you want interview tips and help with your resume/CV. I am happy to review anything you have, if that helps. Caz

kaisa · Jun 24, 2011

Hi there!

I´ve been reading your interesting messages! I just graduated from nursing school in Finland, and I am now a registered nurse, atleast according to the Finnish nursing system (I studied 4 years to get my degree). I´m planning to move to Australia to find a job (and to escape the cold winters out here!) and I found this site... At the moment I´m working here in Finland in a University Hospital (which is a part of the Finnish public health system). I would very much appreciate if you could maybe give me any advice on applying a job, how much working experience is accuired to get a job, which jobs are easier to get and so on. I´ve read about the Australian goverments program for skilled migrants, but I don´t seem to get this basic information anywhere! So maybe my fellow nurses might be of assistance? :)) I´ve understood that you´ve got a shortage of nurses there in Australia, as we have the same situation here in Finland...Hope to hear from you! :))

Kaisa

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2011

Hi Kaisa

You will find it hard to get work here as a RN unless you have experience. Have you got any clinical exerience under your belt? You need 12 months or no-one will hire you. If you don't have any experience, you may be able to get a GNP - a Graduate Nurse Program (internship) - at any of the public and private hospitals. Just Google the above or apply to all the bigger hospitals. When r u looking to come out here?

kaisa · Jun 25, 2011

Hi!

Thanks for your advice! I´ve got clinical experience of working in university hospitals during the past three, four summers (all together maybe about 6-7 months) but that time I was still a student though. Do you think I would find a job working as an enrolled nurse? I have understood that they take care of the basic nursing in elderly care homes or places like that, am I correct? I wouldn´t mind working as a enrolled nurse, if it is hard to get a job as an registered nurse. I´m planning to move to Sydney in the beginnning of January 2012, and I´m at the moment trying to find out what would be the most suitable working visa for me. I will check out the program you told about, thanks!

perris109 · Jul 3, 2011

Barb, I'm in a rut too, have done some horrid nursing jobs lately. I gave up working for a while to study, but now the money has run out
On top of that I have to move as well so need to find accommodation.
Ahh, this thing we call life! Mine is never static, it always seems to be full of commotion and chaos!
Just apply for everything and practice up on the interviews. Also tell the nursing agencies you only do certain shifts - stand up to them and be firm - or they will be calling you at 5 am and all other hours to fill shifts. Some agencies are great, others suck. But I tell them FIRMLY up front what I can and can't do, and I give it to them in written form so it's in my file too.
Did you ask re doing pscyh shifts? That can be a change from the wards.
I will email you shortly anyway, keep smiling (I know it's hard some days, I really do!)
PS: I worked in nursing HR for 3 years, if you want interview tips and help with your resume/CV. I am happy to review anything you have, if that helps. Caz

Hi just hangin. thats life with its up and down. just do it! you will get the fruits soon!