Job Responsibilities
Medication administration (oral,intravenous, intramuscular, rectal
etc), general patient care (ensuring patient activities of daily
living are met such as adequate
nutrition, mobility, elimination, rest, activity
etc), documentation, woundcare.
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Job Requirements
Tough workload, lots of theory and assignments. Small class size.
lots of information given using variety of sources and formats.
Grading is on a system where for the semester you must earn at
least 50% for the overall subject to pass. Medication aspects of
course require a 100% grade to pass.
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Uppers
Meeting lots of new people everyday. Flexible hours. Continually learning new
things and seeing new procedures and medications etc. Helping people and
generally getting paid to show people that you care and want to help them.
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Downers
Shift work, it can really interfere with your personal life and
often you dont finish work on time . If you work a late shift and
then an early shift the next day you dont get much sleep and
after a while it can really wear you out. The responsibility also
makes it a stressful occupation. Because things are always
changing you can never know what to expect and sometimes this can
be stressful.
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Lifestyle
Three basic shifts available: 0700-1530, 1300-2130 and 2100-0730. No opportunity
for paid business travel as a lower level nurse but if you want to work in
another part of the country or overseas there is always work available. Social
club that organises events on a regular basis. Nurses tend to stick together so
there is always something nice being organised by someone for everyone to enjoy
outside of work. Must wear a uniform and closed shoes. The uniform choices are
pretty good.
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Compensation
Base salary is approx $19 an hour and it is increased on a system
of levels attained each year. Maximum annual salary is approx
$80,000. Bonuses are paid for workibng in remote areas and for
additional qualifications gained. A higher duties allowance is
paid for each shift worked at a higher level than your usual.
Penalties are: 12.5% for afternoons, 20% for nightduty, 25% for
saturdays, 75% for sundays and double time and a half for Public
holidays. 6-7 weeks annual leave per year. 10 paid sick days. 10
public holiday rate days on top of annual leave. 2 study days per
year, maternity leave.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Its a lifetime career. The opportunities are endless and once you
are qualified you can go anywhere to work in the healthcare
field. You can also use your qualifications as a base for study
in other fields. You must be a caring person to do well and enjoy
your job as caring for people is the most important part of being
a nurse. If you have a weak stomach or are racist in any way then
it is not the job for you. All your patients deserve to be
treated as equals and receive the highest possible level of care
regardless of your personal feelings towards them or their
circumstances.
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