Registration in Victoria as both Div 1 and Div 2

[gogirlgo]

Just wondering if anyone had an opinion on the idea of being registered in both Division 1 and Division 2 (non med endorsed). I will be graduating as a Div 1 at the end of this year but have been able to obtain Div 2 registration as I have completed the 2nd year of my degree.

I presume that if I give up the Div 2 registration when I become a Div 1, I will not be able to get it back again?

It seems to me that whilst I wish to work as a Div 1, it could be handy to have the flexibility to say work in a nursing home as a div 2 (and avoid having to be in charge of the whole place), or to work as an agency nurse in areas where I lack confidence and would be more comfortable working at a lower level and not having to do meds. Not to mention if I moved to a country town where the local nursing home is the main work choice.

Any thoughts or advice?

[ceridwyn]

Yeah I was a Divison 2 nurse for 25 years in Vic and yes it is spooky taking the more expanded role......but if you want to keep working as a Div 2 nurse what was the point of getting your degree? Maybe not register as Div 1.

I am not sure, but if you work as a Div 2 and anything goes wrong and you are registered to make more informed decisions and you have not, it puts you in legal quicksand with a good lawyer. I have read somewhere that Victoria is the only state that allows you to work as a Div 2 once you are Div 1, this may change with the national registration, but where are you going to get confidence and the better money if you stay working under the Div 2 banner,..

Take the leap for goodness sake, all that study, one day later in years if you don't take the plunge now, you will be like me having to taking orders (directions) from young wipper snippers that got on with their careers and making the most of it.

As for working in nursing homes, if you have to work in one it would be best as a Div 1, just to receive the better money, mind you, you do work for it, but a Div 2 does earn much less money.

Just my slant on things... C

[gogirlgo]

Thanks. I hadn't thought what effect national registration might have. I am actually just a newly registered Div 2, having been able to register after finishing 2nd year. The plan would only be to work as a div 2 if for whatever reason I am in a location where div 1 shifts aren't available, or if I am only working say 1 shift a week or fortnight and feel my knowledge is slipping. I am mature age and never plan to work fulltime.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

[ceridwyn]

Division 1's are always wanted, everywhere, mind you Div 2's that are endorsed are often 'used' to be team leaders in nursing homes, as they cannot get Div 1's.

Good luck, but I only work part-time as well and need to earn as much money as I can in as shorter hours as I am only my own supporting 3 children.

[talaxandra]

Ceridwen's right - if you're registered as a Division 1 nurse then your actions will be judged based on the expectations of someone at your classification and experience level. In other words, if you're working in a NH as a Div 2 and something happens (an incident, a death etc) your actions will be judged on the basis of your status of a Div 1, regardless of the fact that that wasn't what you were employed as.

[maya13]

I had an incident when i applied for a RN Div2 position and at the interview was only offered PCA work as i was working to get my endorsement so didn't have my meds yet, and the facility only recognized Endorsed Div2's. i rang the local nurses board who confirmed that even as a Div2 working as a PCA, if anything did happen the law would still recognise me as a Div2 (highest edu/training level). It's a legal loophole, so if you are still studying as a Div1, apply to your nursing board as a Div2 then when you complete your degree, go Div1 and join a grad program to gain more confidence as a div1.