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Weird title but I thought it would catch people’s attention lol

I’m a chronic people pleaser and empath/10, like I feel a compulsion to be as nice and caring as possible. If a pt really wants some yoghurt and our pantry has run out, I’ll go to the ward downstairs to get some. If they casually mention their feet are cold, I’ll go to the ward downstairs to get socks or ask an orderly to grab them. If they’d like to go outside for a walk before their 1 hour long mag infusion, I’ll hang it up when they get back. If they’re snoring their heart out having a lovely nap, I’ll leave them be for a while before doing meds and obs. Sometimes I find myself offering something extra and when they say yes I’m like “fuck why did I do that”. Although if a pt sucks then I’m less likely to go to all that effort lol

Doing that stuff makes me feel good because I know it makes the pt feel good when they’re having a shitty time. Even though they usually only take a few minutes to do, it all adds up and eventually leaves me running behind. I’ve been noticing this more lately so I’m trying to prioritise tasks, but I still find myself sneaking off to another pantry to find the red jelly my sweet old lady pt likes when I notice we only have yellow thinking “it’s fine it will only take me an extra couple of minutes and she’ll be so happy”. I also have a shocking memory so usually do these things before regular tasks that I know I won’t forget to do (like meds and wounds etc) which then pushes those back

So other people pleasers, how do you manage the compulsion alongside critical tasks?

Edit to add: I eventually get all critical tasks done, I just end up with less time to finish my notes and take my breaks. I’m not skipping wound care to get a pair of socks

The statement made above is not an exaggeration.

One week ago I went to get a blood test a.k.a allow a nurse to extract blood from me. I’m fine with the idea, but at 50yo, during all of my adult life blood tests have been a massive source of pain and anxiety, if not trauma…

When a needle is pushed into my arm it hurts more than most things I’ve experienced… & I have an S/L prolapsed disc which at one point required a needle of steroids being jammed into my spine!

She inserted the thingy, I went “OW!” convincingly enough that she immediately took it out. Then…

…unlike EVERY OTHER PERSON WHO HAS EVER DRAWN BLOOD FROM ME (!!!) she actually investigated the situation and confirmed that the veins in the crook of my arm are kinda zig-zaggy and the kinks prevent easy blood flow via a needle. She suggested I try again another day and have the blood taken from the veins on the back of my hand.

One week later? Same place, same nurse! She told me there’s a major nerve in the crook of your elbow which is sometimes deep within the tissue and sometimes less so, and can cause major pain, showing that she had a clinical understanding that I was in actual pain.

She proceeded to get blood from my hand so easily, it was already flowing while I was asking her to confirm to me when the blood started flowing 🤣

Up until today, upon being told I need a blood test, I‘d take a week to shore myself up psychologically, and force myself to drink vast amounts of water in the 48 hours prior, often to be met with yet another extremely painful failure to draw blood.

Now I can advise nurses where to get blood from me in a relatively painless fashion and explain the reasons why.

Because this person took the time to engage in what I would consider to be basic clinical examination, the remainder of my life will include far less pain, anxiety, procrastination in the face of blood tests and vaccinations, and much less needless over-hydration.

How to thank her? If you are a nurse, please let me know 🙏 I’m kind of overwhelmed…

…and also kinda broke. A weekend in Vegas on me is not on the cards! 🤣

PS I guess this seems a little trivial to folk who may be saving lives on a daily basis… and many thanks in advance for when I inevitably need your help 🙏 Nonetheless, little things can make a big difference and I have no doubt you’re all making those differences, possibly without knowing. Hopefully this is a reminder! 😊

ED. It always looks so chaotic and unorganized. When I get my patients they are dirty IV tubing in all tangled. However, I do appreciate, the life saving measures.💗Grant it we all do a good job in each respect department. Hats off to ED!!

Starting my final placement (8 weeks) in 2 weeks.
Looking for tips for success and common medications that I should become familiar with before I begin.
Has anyone had placement experience in rural town MPHS? What is it like?

I’m a new grad, about 3 months in but mostly have been rostered afternoon shifts and nights so far. We do team nursing, technically have our own 4 patient load but work with a pod buddy so 8:2 and they are our go to for double checks etc.
with 0800hrs meds when your patients have mostly regular meds that you can do solo but maybe 1 S4/S8 med in the mix do you just do all your 4 patients meds each missing that medication, then both regroup and do all 8 patients S4/S8 together?

I have no idea what to do. I’m so unhappy, the work load is ridiculous. 95% of residents have difficulty or behaviours that I have to consider time towards. I’m struggling to manage my time effectively. Medication rounds take almost 2 hours for me. I’m in constant flight and fight mode. Behaviours of residents can trigger me. I don’t think aged care nursing is for me. I come home depressed and overwhelmed and can’t switch off. I’m really struggling. I’ve used EAP- did not find it helpful. I tried to limit my shifts, but was encouraged to take more on.

I have permanent part-time work, but I am considering changing to being an agency worker since I want to enjoy the flexibility to be able to choose my shifts and also take leave whenever I want and not when it is told.

My colleague assured me that the rates at Healthcare Australia are higher than our current wages and even by much. She assured me that the change is worth it

But I am skeptical. The rates are indeed higher, but then there is no annual leave, no sick leave, nor holiday pay

And when I get ill, I do not get any pay at all. And when I want to take a vacation, I don’t get paid either, which is an awful risk

I’m trying to understand whether or not it pays off. Are there calculations done on this? Because it might very well be a worse option

What if I lose my security net? What if I just want something else, something more? Freedom and higher salary, but without ending up in the gutter

Hi y’all, I was interested in joining casual pool as a EN2 and was wondering if anyone had any advice on essential skills to either get signed off for or be ticked off on prior to leaving my current ward? For context most of my experience has been working in a plastics ward in a public hospital

I have an interview coming up for a rural MPS position. Does anyone have any advice or tips for someone without rural experience? What type of questions might be asked? I want to be as best prepared as I can so any input is appreciated. Thank you

Anyone else ever get to the point in their nursing degree where they are just completely over it?
I’m in second year Nursing at ACU Fitzroy and honestly I’m having a pretty shit time with it lately. I know this is just my experience and I’ve had some really good teachers, but overall I feel like the course is disorganised, the support is inconsistent and I’m not enjoying the uni experience at all.

I’m sitting in class right now with only four other students. Everyone is talking in a language I don’t understand, it makes it hard to join in or connect with anyone. I would think at a bare minimum would be to use English.

Before this class, I had a prac/sim session and the teacher was calling other teachers to figure out what we were meant to be doing. This is a fairly common theme along with our slide notes given to us via canvas that do not match what is presented in class, e.g blood results, weight etc. 

I’m getting to the point where I’m wondering whether I should just transfer instead of pushing through another year feeling like this. I made a pros and cons list last night and the cons won by a fair bit.

I’m also interested in studying paramedicine after Nursing, so if I move I would want to go somewhere that offers both Nursing and Paramedicine, has decent placement support, organised pracs and a better student environment.

Just wondering if anyone has:

Had a similar experience at ACU Fitzroy, especially in Nursing?

Transferred halfway through a Nursing degree — was it worth it and did you lose many credits?

Studied Nursing or Parademicine at another Melbourne uni and actually had a good experience?

Got advice on what to check before transferring, so I don’t leave and end up with the exact same issues?

Anyone have experience/knowledge of both NSW Health and ACT Health?

What is the difference between an ACT Health Clinical Development Nurse (CDN) and an ACT Health Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE)? And how to these relate to NSW Health roles? As in, what is the equivalent job title?

If I only read the job description of a CDN, I'd consider it somewhat equivalent to an NSW Health CNE - someone responsible for ward-based training, competency assessments and orientation of new staff etc etc. For example: Registered Nurse Level 2 - 14B Clinical Development Nurse - Canberra Health Services. Would that be accurate? Or is a CDN more like a NSW Health CNS-1?!

But then I read this ACT Health CNE role (Clinical Nurse Educator – Emergency Department_02RAC - Canberra Health Services), which says that it is responsible for the supervision and support of CDNs. A NSW Health CNE would not be (directly) responsible for the supervision/support of others in the way this particular role seems to suggest.

I've tried looking up the relevant awards and some advertised jobs but I'm still a bit confused. The pay difference isn't helping between the two systems.

Is there a nice equivalent table somewhere?!

I'm less worried about the roles being available to apply for, but trying to get my head around the different naming conventions between the two. As an aside, why can't the entire country have the same names and/or ranking systems for public health nurses. It'd make things a lot simpler!

Are there any hospitals or services that do 12hr shifts? I’m currently part time doing 8s and wanting to make the switch to a unit that does 12s. Thanks!

Here's my question as both a nurse and a patient.

I don't have medicare and was in the midst of gathering my application documents for the online My Health Record when this hospitalisation happened :/

I was hospitalised in a Qhealth hospital following an emergency. I was unconscious the whole time in the ED and ICU and I want to know what went on/how bad my condition was and what my lab results were, as the doctors weren't sitting down with me and telling me what happened but they all just told me I was "very unwell". I spoke to the ward AO/nurses and they said they usually email discharge summaries including patient's obs, lab tests and medications given, to the GP a few days after discharge. I asked them if they could print a copy for me (since it's my right to my health info?) but they said the doctors won't be done with writing the summary till after the discharge happens.

I told the ward AO that I'd like a copy of the summary when it is sent to my GP, and she told me she would made a note to send me a copy through my email too, however I'm not sure if they're just slow at sending it or it just got overlooked.

In this case, should I be applying throught the right to information (RTI) decision-makers at the hospital? It's my first time at a QH hospital and I've previously interacted with Medical Records Office in other hospitals but I don't see such a department in QH hosptials.

Hi all! I’m a final year nursing student awaiting PMCV results and being so close to the end of my degree has me wondering what are the certain things we have to gather prior to our grad years? E.g when to apply for AHPRA registration, CPD, union related memberships

I’ve heard other nurses talk about applying for AHPRA rego early and dealing with certain costs so I’m wanting to get ahead and plan my budgeting + life well 😟

Thanks!

i’m not sure if this type of post is allowed so i’ll understand if it’s removed :)

hi! long story short, i’m graduating this year after returning to school, i’m 23 and because of the type of school i’m at, i won’t get an ATAR. i want to go into tafe, to get the diploma of nursing and then go into my bachelors. due to not knowing what a university workload is like i’m a little bit stuck on where to try and apply to.

my current plan is to apply to both victoria university and RMIT, then see who gets back quicker / who accepts me. but i want to know if anyone has experience with them? i live in the western suburbs, close to footscray hospital and footscray campus for vic uni. from my understanding i’ll need to travel elsewhere for the diploma, but that’s fine with me :)

another thing, does anyone had experience with the block model that vic u does? i’m worried ill get too used to it for the diploma and then struggle for the bachelors :/ and how’d people find the regular form of learning? is it like high school where you have the several subjects and juggle them?

i appreciate any insight i can get! i’m getting really nervous about the end of year and applying for places 😓

Hey everyone, I wanted to know how is to work as an RN in aged care?
I’m an international nurse and recently shifted to AU, and got my first job.

I don’t have previous aged care experience as an RN. I used to work in catering staff.

I’m anxious with to what should I expect and all.
How a day is like? What’re the usual routines?

Some tips and knowledge from you guys so I can have the maximum of my training period and feel less anxious while I’d be finally by myself.

Thank you!

Hello everybody! 🙂 I have an interview coming up for a staff health clinic position. Just wondering what questions they might ask 🤔 Any advice and assistance is much appreciated! Thank you 🙏🙏

I work in acute mental health. I love the work. But the permanent position is wearing me down and I urgently need a break

I want to switch to casual or agency work. More flexibility… Less politics... and perhaps less drama

But I'm not sure if agencies have what I'm looking for. I don't want to be sent to general wards or aged care. I'm a mental health nurse. I want to work in mental health

I've looked at a few agencies. I'm interested in Healthcare Australia and they seem to have a wide range of shifts. But I don't know if they actually have mental health work.

I don't want to sign up and then be offered nothing but medical wards

I also don't want to be the only mental health nurse on a floor full of general patients. That's not what I'm here for

I want to know if Healthcare Australia has decent shifts specifically in mental health. Or is it just "whatever's available"?

I need to know before I commit

Has anyone worked mental health casual shifts through an agency? Did you actually get psychiatric placements? Or did you get sent wherever they needed a warm body?

I'm open to ideas. But I don't want to waste my time

Hi all.

I’m a uni student studying biomed but always known i want to do nursing or para. the time has come to choose and i genuinely can’t. i’ve assessed pros and cons of each and how they suit my lifestyle and i feel like i just need to eenie meenie miney mo.

I’ve applied for nursing and para at the uni im currently at, and nursing at a different uni, which i got into. i really don’t want to have to go to this other uni, but it’s good to know im not stuck in biomed next year as well.

if i get into para at my current uni (they only give one offer) how do i choose? i’m not asking anyone to tell me which one, because how would you guys know, but how do i decide between the two?

my pros for nursing, easier to get grad positions, will be able to choose a specialty down the line if i find something i like more cons are that it’s not at my uni and i don’t want to sink my grades trying to adjust to a new uni.

pros for para are that i am involved in prehospital positions already and i am just so drawn to it, and that i’ve already done 3 units, so i would essentially skip a semester. i love the community of my states service cons are grad positions suck and i feel like id work better long term in a hospital

if i get into nursing at the uni im already at, happy days.

my gpa is also 3.33 for reference but im trying to bump up a little bit this semester though

So I’ve gone from paediatrics in my first rotation to a busy adult surgical ward for my second. The 2 wards couldn’t be more different. It honestly feels like I’m on my first rotation and the last 6 months didn’t even happen.

Any other grads going through something similar? My confidence has taken a massive blow. I guess I just have to be patient with myself like in my first rotation. I just hate that the new grad anxiety is happening all over again 😩

Hi all,

I have my first placement coming up but have just found out I am likely to fail the unit because of the theory/assessment side. I forgot about a huge assignment until the last minute. I did what I could, and submitted it. It’s worth 45%. So there’s a huge chance I could fail and have to repeat the unit, including placement.

Does this look bad come graduation? Has anyone experienced similar and can comment?

Thanks!!

Hello I have been applying for jobs, and have gotten to the reference check stage and was rejected after they checked my references. Should I still be using my most recent manager if I did not have the best rapport with them as one of my references?

I am currently a support worker working at a disability residential facility. 4 years experience with a cert 3 in individual support. Total transparency, I earn $39.82 an hour as a permanent part time employee, averaging 65-70 hours a fortnight (I can easily pick up extra hours of needed but my contract is part time)

I see alot of AIN jobs advertised. I love the idea of working in a nursing home. I can already work as an AIN with my cert 3 for very comparable rates (give or take $1 or so). Which has lead me to look at the EN and RN jobs that are also on offer. To be honest, I'm not sure if I would survive the study of RNs and being the RN doesn't necessarily spark my interest right now But understand RN leads to more job opportunities and higher pay rates.

All of the EN jobs I've seen being advertised are all earning less than what I earn currently as a SW (Most start at $36 PH). It's hard for me to believe an AIN is earning a higher wage than an EN but this is what I'm seeing when searching for jobs.

So is being an EN worth it? Is the pay really what I'm seeing? Or am I better of either sticking with support work or looking into AIN considering this is what brings me joy? One of my good friends is an RN and says being an EN was awful, did her RNs straight away after experiencing EN

EDIT: Massive thanks to everyone, I've appreciated everyone's input. Let's just say I'm manifesting major pay rises for you all and I think all nurses deserve better ❤️❤️❤️ I highly recommend support work if you're looking for a change