2013 RPA Graduate Nurses

Mallory11 · Nov 4, 2012

Thanks for that Mopples, I'm gonna start calling a few agencies this week..I've worked agency up here on the Coast but they don't want to keep me on as an AIN once I'm registered and they won't take me as an RN because I have no experience yet!

Do you own a car mopples? I don't think I wanna keep mine, I'd rather find somewhere to live close to a train line..only thing I'm worried about is grocery shopping?

Would you feel safe leaving RPA after a PM shift and heading to the train/bus?? Whenever I've visited Sydney I've always found the public transport great and I figure if I'm living Inner West, the majority of places I'm going to need to get to will be close by..

Mopples · Nov 4, 2012

We do own a car, but dont tend to use it to run around locally. My husband uses it more, however, to get to RPA, I will bus. In saying that, when I did my mental health placement there in August, hubby did come and pick me up a couple of times when I did evenings.

I would feel 100% safe to get the bus. I have caught those buses from Newtown or the city late at night before and feel fine. 2 of the routes stop a 2-5 min walk from where i live. Late at night, i do prefer the bus, rather then the train, simply because the bus stop is closer, plus, there have been issues in the past with people being followed from the station. My closest is Lewisham.

You would want something close to the 422, 423, 426 and 428 bus routes. For grocery shopping, there are 2 main supermarkets on the main street in Newtown. There is also Marrickville Metro, which is a 10 min walk from the south end of King street, but the 355 and/or buses go straight there. You can also take the 422, 423, 426, 428, 370 buses from King Street to Broadway shopping centre which has everything, its the main centre near us.

You could also think of Ashfield, there are buses that go straight from Ashfield and up Parramatta Road, straight past RPA. It might be a bit cheaper then Marrickville etc. They also have a big shopping centre there. Ashfield train station is a big one and also trains that stop at Newtown, stop at Ashfield. The walk from Newtown station to RPA is only 10 mins and completely safe at all times.

tyc1115 · Nov 10, 2012

Hey Mopples, I heard about after you got your registration you are not allow to work as an AIN, I am not 100% sure tho. double check if you don't want to risk.

All the best!

Mallory11 · Nov 10, 2012

Thanks so much for all the info Mopples!! Really appreciate it! Will keep you updated with what I'm doing :)

Tyc1115, I phoned AHPRA about 2 weeks ago and they said it's fine to work as an AIN, provided you remain within an AIN scope of practice and your employer has no issues. This is because there's no regulatory body controlling AINs. Hope this helps !

Mopples · Nov 26, 2012

Has anyone received their contact?

Mallory11 · Nov 26, 2012

Hey Mopples,

Mine came in the post today and I know one other grad who also got theirs. Start date is officially May 13th!!

The pack inclues - welcome letter, salary, commencement date, code of conduct, bank, tax & super details, options for salary sacrafice etc..nothing about wards which I found interesting? Perhaps that comes later seeing as I'm not in the first intake..

Anyway, I'm sure yours is on it's way.

I finished my degree on Friday! Very good feeling - hang in there! One semester to go.

I've decided I'm going travelling Jan - March, then will move to Sydney in April. :)

Annie07 · Nov 26, 2012

Mallory11 aw your contract arrived in the mail? That must have been exciting! Mine was just by email...which is still exciting but not some giant envelope haha. Anyway, I know someone who started at RPA this year as a grad and she didn't find out her first ward until orientation and her second ward just before her first 6 months was up. I didn't receive any info about wards at WWBH either. Congrats on graduating :)

Stackers · Nov 27, 2012

Hey Guys!

Im from Victoria and recieved my contract today! I start on the 18th March!

Getting very excited! Cant wait to meet you all next year.

Have been told its really hard to get accomodation so Im a bit worried!

Congrats to everyone who got the positions they wanted :)

Mopples · Nov 27, 2012

I'm still waiting! Ran to my letterbox this afternoon, but nothing

I already live in Sydney, in the inner west. Stacker I have put up some ideas etc around the inner west.

Mopples · Nov 30, 2012

So there is a delay in the contracts for those of us who were second round offers. But, I got an email today with my start date - 12 August, with the info session on the 1st, which is going to be a slight problem as I will still be overseas. Will have to call on Monday and explain.

Mallory11 · Nov 30, 2012

Yes contract in the mail which was quite exciting and formal, considering everything is nowadays done online!

Ooh that'll be a problem Mopples! You have been planning that trip for a while though, maybe you can attend an earlier session? Mines April 30th! Thanks for that offer you PM'd the other day too, really appreciate that!!

Congrats Stackers, look forward to meeting you too :)

Now the hard thing..deciding on preferences for first rotation! Even though its for only 6 months and aren't guarenteed, I would like to start out somewhere I enjoy! Leaning towards cardiovascular and cancer services based on the list I got in an email today.

Mopples · Nov 30, 2012

Good thought! I could see about the info session for your intake. Im going to call on Monday and ask. The holiday has been planned by my husband and a friend for about 6 months, then I tagged on about 6-8 weeks ago.

I got my preference sheet too. One of the girls at work suggested ED, but I would rather ward experience then ED first up, especially since I don't really know what I want to do & I would rather leave it for someone who it passionate about it. I am leaning towards Bone, joint & connective tissue, then cancer, gastro, cardio, respiratory, neuro. After 3.5 years on a cardio ward, I am looking for something new.