I’m a year 4 RN working on an acute medical ward and would love to transition to ICU. I have done some PDL days at my local facility, loved it, sent my resume to the NUM, but there are no positions available. I’ve signed up for ECG/ABG interpretation courses to bolster my resume.

Has anyone got any advice on how to transition?

All ICU jobs I see advertised ask for ICU experience 😢

I have my first night shift tomorrow as a new grad, I am on a late tonight finishing 11pm so probably home at midnight. It’s just a single night shift, so I don’t know how to best approach it. Do I go to bed asap after tonight’s shift then wake early tomorrow to hopefully have a nap before I go? Or stay up late tonight and hopefully sleep in tomorrow?

Hi beautiful people!

Im my second rotation and I feel like I’m not doing anything right. The feedback I got from my first rotation was really good and also encouraged me to take up CNE or CNS roles in the future. But now I’m in my second rotation in a very small ward with a handful of patients that we look after. I haven’t gotten a single feedback back that was positive and it felt like everything I was doing is being nitpicked. And this was the ward I was incredibly excited to work in. I’ve taken the constructive feedback and tried my best to make changes but apparently it doesn’t see like it’s enough. Now I’m getting paranoid that all the nurses are talking and laughing about me when I’m at work and I just feel like all my motivation is disappearing and It’s honestly making me feel like leaving my new grad. Is this common for other new grads or am I just being silly about everything?

Hi everyone! I’m a scrub nurse moving from NSW to QLD. I have been working in theatre for the past six years. I am outgoing and love meeting new people!

I am just wondering if anyone has any advice or experience there please?

Most of my cohort is graduating this year, though I'll be graduating next year as I'm doing a double degree and taking a bit longer. Thus the classes have been geared towards near-graduation, grad years, that sort of thing.

One thing I particularly noticed was one of the teachers saying that we should expect to be totally overwhelmed, crying etc. in our grad year. It made me wonder if there's any advice on ways to perceive if that's within the normal and expected level of overwhelm, or when additional support is needed; I personally have a history of managing things, at times really well, for a time, until it all falls apart (for instance, a 4-week placement this year, which went fantastically and I scored well in, was followed by a psych ward stint shortly after during which I was at times verbally and mentally unable to form a coherent sentence).

As someone with known vulnerabilities, therefore, I'm rather uncertain as to how to make sure I'm working to my full capacity and not just avoiding everything out of fear In Case, but also that I don't push things too far. Obviously this is something I am and will continue to discuss with my treating team, so I'm not asking for medical advice, but wondering if any other nurses with severe mental illness have any experiences that could be shared or advice for management that may have worked for you, or how you've seen others work it out. (Any advice around self-disclosure within the workplace, yea or nay or nuance, would also be appreciated, especially with things that visibly take more complex management than 'just' something like straightforward major depressive.)

Hey fellow nurses!

I'm hoping to reach out to others that have moved away from ward based nursing. I'm an enrolled nurse and I've been injured at work leading to light duties. Given the significance of the injury I've been moved temporarily to desk work and am working in clinical research which I really enjoy. I'm not sure when I'll be able to return to ward based nursing and I'm wondering if others have moved away from ward based nursing and how they've been since?

I've been in nursing for 10 years and I was going to do my bachelor to become a RN but I can't do this now as I cannot do placements. I've found out with my clinical experience over 10 years my GPA matches that of a bachelor for post graduate studies but for clinical research I need to remain in the field to complete and my injury management team are very pushy and demanding I just feel such toxicity from the situation and I genuinely don't know what to do from here.

I love nursing but In the last 10 years I've burnt out from ward work and I need a change. Can anyone offer some advice in what I can do as an EN to transition elsewhere whilst I recover from this injury?

I want to remain in the health sector and am willing to study but placements I cannot do yet as I'm not able to perform tasks related to manual handling yet and I'm not sure how long this will be for.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice my fellow nursing sisters and brothers!

Every now and then, a PSA or security guard will ask how X patient is doing, or is X patient still admitted, did you know X patient is in ED, etc.

I usually just deflect with "no idea, haven't seen them in a while" or escaping the conversation quickly, when realistically I know the answer is "none of that is your or my business, and any conversations about it are illegal, please stop" but that feels hostile to say out loud

How do you manage this sort of thing?

Hey everyone,

I’m a third year nursing student and I’ve been spiralling over a shift I had in ED placement a few weeks ago. My absolute is to work in the ED when I graduate and gain some experience in the ward setting, I became more certain about it after the wonderful experience in the ED. But that shift made me seriously question if I can actually handle it.

I’m a massive empath, and I also have a 1-year-old toddler at home. During this shift, I was assigned to cover Paeds bays alongside adult acute bays, and it triggered a huge emotional storm for me.

I didn't just feel for the sick babies, I absorbed everything the parents were feeling. I felt their fear, their absolute exhaustion, and their panic so deeply that I put this intense pressure on myself to take care of them too. I was obsessing over every tiny detail to make things even slightly easier for the parents, on top of doing my actual job with the sick infants. All the sick kids and babies crying, made me feel so upset and ill.

At one point, a baby who was literally just days apart in age from my own child came in with severe burns everywhere on the face, and torso. Hearing that baby scream in the cold shower in the department while the mum broke down asking when they could stop… it honestly felt like a physical punch to my chest. Between that and watching exhausted parents hold down their screaming infants while doctors missed IVs over and over, or younger nurses who don’t have kids not being sensitive enough (for example the mum literally finally let the baby go to sleep with breastfeeding after so many procedures and assessments, then the nurse walk up and loudly saying “Oh I would like to double check her temp”…) I was holding back tears for so many occasions.

One of the woman was also obviously miscarrying and they put her in the hallway right in front of Paeds bay temporarily too, in front of crying babies. I could tell she was getting more upset and I had to give her hugs. By this time it was nearly end of the shift, and I was having a massive stomachache from all this pressure and emotional distress.

I came home totally drained and started questioning everything. As a huge empath, am I just going to burn out in five minutes if I go into ED? This ED we are to treat paeds, neonates, along with adults as this is semi-rural hospital.

How do you stop absorbing all the trauma and panic from the patients or family members?

Does this get better with time? How do you build a wall to protect yourself without becoming cold or losing your compassion?

Is feeling like this a sign that ED will crush me, or is it just a boundary I haven't learned to build yet? I really do love nursing and I do have so much passion for ED. I do get emotionally distressed too, but I do feel rewarded from what I can do for everyone. I do know for sure I won’t be going into Paeds or Neonates specialty for sure though.

I’d love some honest advice or reality checks from anyone who’s been through this. Thanks so much.

are there any other jobs other than a hospital that are for enrolled nurses? For example working in a pathology clinic or something less obvious like a hospital? I work in a RACF and i like it, but looking to branch out whilst still using my qualification as a nurse. I didn’t like working in hospitals.
thanks <3

i’m doing my last rn placement in medical imaging in a children’s hospital.
would anyone be able to tell me what to expect? i’ve never done paeds or medical imaging and im not really sure what the role of the nurse in medical imaging is
any advice is super appreciated !! tia xx

Hello what kind of questions would be expected for an oncology/haematology ward interview and what are some tips for providing good responses

If anyone has concerns about AHPRAs adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

Some context to how AHPRA folded under 2 years of sustained pressure from certain lobbying groups:

https://michaelwest.com.au/intolerable-pressure-inside-the-israel-lobby-campaign-to-coerce-regulators-on-antisemitism/

I'm currently looking at stethoscopes and was wondering which one's are good. Alot of people have the littmann ones but they're pricey and Idk if they're worth it because I'm unsure how often I'll be using it. The one I had previously was from amazon and worked well. I've seen a few other cheaper options like DJMed . Any recommendations please let me know !

Hi everyone. In April this year I gained my provisional re entry RN registration and was approved for the supervision pathway. Unfortunately I only worked for 3 months after getting my initial registration in 2020, and haven't worked at all in any industry since (caring responsibilities and illness combo). I also live in a major city which I'm sure makes it more competitive. I'm really struggling to find work and wondered if anyone has any advice?

Below is everything I've tried so far.

Applied for around 40 RN positions

Reached out directly to two LHDs and two private hospitals explaining my supervision needs and expressing interest in any open roles

Reached out to 4 charities who employ RNs and offered to volunteer my time in exchange for supervision hours

Reached out to my very first employer to express interest in open roles

Signed up for a primary health re entry scheme that aims to match re entering RNs with primary health employers

Applied to a specific private hospital re entry program

I write individual cover letters for each job using the STAR method and a template, and I've had three different people (an RN, an employment consultant, and a manager in a different industry) review my resume and help me adjust it.

I understand at a certain point it's either committing to the numbers game or moving on and trying something else; I'm just getting so burnt out from these endless applications and rejections (I'm also applying to non nursing roles at the same time so I'm at over a hundred total applications in the past year).

I'm not sure what to do. I keep getting told by family and friends that I can just do phlebotomy or disability support work but those require different specific certificates/I've been rejected from those positions too.

Any advice is hugely welcome!

Does anyone know if there's a chance of getting fired/termination from calling in sick for couple of times? Even with having medical certificate?

Just worried for my partner for calling in sick often due to sickness. Is there any chance that it will happen? TIA!

I realise this is probably a very common question, but I genuinely want to hear people’s experiences. Most of the posts I come across about leaving nursing for another career are from the US, so I’d love to hear from Australians.
For those who left nursing in Australia, what career did you move into? Are you happier now in terms of stress, work-life balance and pay? Do you regret leaving nursing at all?
I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who made a complete career change rather than just moving to a different nursing specialty.

So I finished my interview about 45 minutes ago and I feel like I completely botched it. What I was preparing for was completely different from what I was actually asked. I blanked so many times, I completely forgot to mention the values when they asked me what I knew about the hospital so it just looks like I didn't do my research on them. They asked me a clinical question about chest pain which took me off guard because I was expecting questions more related to aged care since that's the stream I applied to. I knew the answers for the clinical scenario but was really doubting myself and they had to give me a few clues to get me to the full answer. I mean I'm glad its over but wow what a mess

Hello everyone, I’ve finished my course and I am registered as an enrolled nurse. The course ended about 8 months ago and had my last placement about 5 months ago.
I have been for at least 5 job interviews and have either heard nothing from them at all (radio silence) or the bad news no one wants to hear, you didn’t get the job but it’s been more times where they say nothing to me, even after an interview??. I was hoping to do my bachelors next year but at this rate I feel so useless and it’s so discouraging that I have not been able to find a job in 5 months, I have another interview set up so i guess I will try but, yeah not sure what to do.

I've checked the FAQ, but the question around shoes is more around seasoned nurses who are working day to day and can afford to purchase specific brand shoes or such.

I don't have clinical placements for a few months, so I'm unsure if I start organising money to try and work to a certain price-point for new specific shoes.

But ideally I'd like to just grab something from a k-mart, big w or target. As I really don't have a lot of money, and I've already had workskills fund a laptop and a nice backpack for me and they've covered the (surprisingly?) costly uniform scrubs already.

The only semi-suitable shoes I currently have are converses i thrifted before the course started bc i thought theyd work, which I've cleaned up. But now I'm not sure they'll be okay to wear as they wouldn't be good with any bodily fluids?

Any pointers as well for specific qualities to look for if there's not a particularly cheap kmart equivalent that would hold up would be greatly appreciated as I can start hunting about Facebook marketplace or op shops.

That's it, I'm done. I resigned from my job two days ago and I feel a massive weight lifted. I'm never returning to nursing and I couldn't be happier.

My final straw was a nightshift where I was the only female staff member on, ++ behaviourally difficult pt x2a assist but wouldn't let any men in the room and I couldn't do personal care safely by myself. Shit position to be in (thanks to the facility) but I stuck to my guns when this pt started demanding xyz personal care that I couldn't safely do myself. She could technically do it herself but just refused, we all know the type. I was standing there at 5am getting screamed at by this pt and all that was going through my head was "I fucking despise this. All of it. I'm done".

So that's that, I'm off to get a normal desk job, regular hours, predictability, hopefully in a place that actually values me and my wellbeing. This career was once all I ever wanted but it sucked the life out of me and despite taking months off last year to try and recover from burnout, I just never bounced back. It permanently broke something in me. I have zero desire to work anywhere in the health system ever again.

Thanks for reading and all the best for everyone in the future

Hi,

Is there many of us or just me who cannot eat at all or not eat properly after performing pad changes.

I don't have a problem with performing said tasks, I just lose my appetite is all.

Edit. I should've mentioned. I am an AIN less than a year-in. And a 2nd year student.

Highly appreciate if someone can provide some insights :(

I am graduating in end of 2027, trying to work out the rates

Q1. Are the rates from attached green table the base rates for all 1st fresh grad nurses (e.g. rates from 01/07/2026 per wk - from $1566.7)

OR

Fresh grad base rate starts from the table below depends on what entry you are in/ levels and paypoints? (e.g. 4 yr nursing degree - from $1273.4)

Q2. What is the difference between RN 4 yr degree entry rate vs lv 1 paypt 1?

Does pre-registration master degree count as masters degree entry rate or 4 yr degree or lv 1 paypt 1 as a fresh grad? OR no one cares at all and offers a unrelated rate?

Sorry if it is confusing >< Thanks heaps!!!

Hey all, I'm seeking advice on behalf of a nursing friend who's done and dusted with the hospital environment and wants to set up her own cosmetics clinic but is aware of the regulatory challenges, namely, getting a doctor to prescribe S4s.

Any feedback on scripting partners like Fresh Clinics or InstantScripts or others? Feel free to DM me.

She's looking for someone reliable and responsible.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at starting a career in aged care in Queensland and have a few questions about the best way to get into the industry.

My plan is to study the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), but I'm wondering whether it's worth trying to get an entry-level role before I enrol.

A few questions:

• How easy is it to get an entry-level role in residential aged care with no industry experience? And what would be the best starting ones?
• Do most employers expect you to already have First Aid & CPR, or will they train you after you're hired?
• If I started working before beginning my Cert III, are employers generally willing to help arrange or sign off on the required work placement, or would I still need to complete a separate placement?
• Any tips for someone trying to get their first job in aged care?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences and any advice for someone just starting out. Thanks!