Which Melbourne hospital is good to work for?

talaxandra · Aug 26, 2008

HI Juanjuan -

Congratulations on your decision to move not only to Oz but to Melbourne :)

You're right - all public hospitals in Victoria have the same wages and conditions. That includes hours - outside ICU and psych, everywhere has standard shifts: AM (0700 - 1530), PM (1300 - 2130) and ND (2100 - 0730). Full time staff work 40 hours/week (five day shifts or four nights), with an ADO every 4 weeks (5 on nights), and 6 weeks of annual leave with a loading of 17.5% or the average of your previous penalties for the last 12 months (whichever's greater).

We're a fairly multicultural place, and closer to Asia than anywhere else (except NZ), so you should find most places comfortable with overseas trained nurses. Off the top of my head, on my ward there are nurses from Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Burma, New Zealand, China (mainland and Hong Kong), Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philipines and even Tasmania

The Alfred does have a good reputation, and a wide variety of specialties. I'd look at the specialty areas of the hospital, and if they match your interests and/or experience, proximity to public transport etc.

Good luck!

RGN-NBV-Ireland-Chin · Aug 26, 2008

Hi,

Thank you so much for your reply. It is nice to get such a positive feeling from your reply. We are really looking forward to Melbourne.

My husband is Dutch and together with the appearant influx of Tasmanian devils it seems that Melbourne will get more multicultural when we move over. :chuckle

My background is mainly cardiology. Now I am working in a cardiology ward in Dublin. I think that is what I want to continue with. Do you, or another reader, have any suggestions with respect to a hospital to work for which has an interesting and nice cardiology ward??

And I guess now I also have to start looking where to live. Anyone has any recomendations. Respectable and safe areas that are affordable?? My husband likes quiet and natural environments and I like city centre shopping etc... so that difference we have work out as well....

Thanks,

Juanjuan :nurse:

talaxandra · Aug 27, 2008

You're welcome :)

The Alfred's recently consolidated it's cardiology services on to one floor, with cardiology, cardiothorasics and coronary care as separate but interrelated units. The ward was (mostly) refurbished, and I've hear the teething problems have mostly settled down.

I'm sorry I can't give you any useful information about other cardiology units.

Most of Melbourne is close to greenery (our state motto used to be The Garden State), so pretty much wherever you end up your husband will be able to access pleasant outdoorsiness. Close in to the city, public transport's fairly reliable, with relatively good connections between different modes (eg trains connect well with buses); access is less good the further out you go, so bear that in mind. Your best bet, at least to get an idea of what's out there, is realestate.com.au - they have places to buy and to rent, through dozens of agents. Hope that helps, and welcome again - the more diversity the better!

abbynurse · Sep 29, 2008

Hello, just a quick question. Did you have to do the adaption program in ireland, and if so how did you ever find a place to go? I am having the hardest time? I am thinking just about going to Melbourne myself.

RGN-NBV-Ireland-Chin · Oct 18, 2008

I'm sorry for not replying earlier.

The Irish Nursing Board (An Bord Altranais) does have adaptation requirements where they doubt someone's skills.

OR you can choose to go for an adaptation yourself.

Adaptation programs are, and can only be, offered at an academic/teaching hospital. And as far as I know they don't offer adaptation programs to non-staff. So, this means that if you have to, or want to, do an adaptation program you must get a job offer first.

So, step 1 is to register. If your registration is full no adaptation is required, and you can work as a nurse anywhere in Ireland. If the registration requires adaptation you will get a sort of in-between registration with which you can apply with a hospital. The hospital will give you the adaptation program (which is sometimes just a little bit more supervision and easing into the work) and if you pass you will get the job/contract.

(the following is hear-say!)

If you don't pass they will look at the reasons and where possible you can do some more training or follow some course to improve. Then you can do another adaptation. And if you still wouldn't pass they... kick you out of the country.... (just kidding, I really don't know what then).

I choose to do an adaptation and find it good. To be honest I don't feel I got that much more structured guidance than at just starting a new job, but they did give me more time to adapt and were helpfull when I asked for advice or had questions. And I got paid the same... so why not!?

Good luck

RGN-NBV-Ireland-Chin · Oct 18, 2008

Good news,

I got a call from an agent stating that the Alfred Hospital is going to offer me a job at their Cardiac Thoracic Centre.

Can anyone tell me all the negative and positive points of this Centre? From a nursing and/or patient perspective?

Thanks,

Juanjuan

allnurses Guide · Oct 19, 2008

probably not - it just opened not long ago.

talaxandra · Oct 21, 2008

So that should be one positive - it's attractive and new!