mooncat

Hi Everyone,

Got my pin number 2 weeks ago and a new ID badge with staff nurse on it. Yippee!! :scared:


I am on the bank as a D grade and am waiting for an interview (on 21st) to work on a dementia ward within older people's services. I have read loads of threads on here about the whole RMN experience in Oz. I've been over to QLD and have seen some of the differences myself.

Just wondering if there's anyone out there who works with people with dementia who can give me a bit of insight into what it's like.

Or is it just this country which sends you mad when you get old?! (lol)

Mrs Rangersman

I've been working on a medical and we certainly have our fair share of patients with dementia, one thing that is different here is if they are aggressive or wanderers the have 'guards/companions' who are with them 24/7 paid for by the hospital so nurses aren't having to monitor their every move, really good idea.

mooncat

Hi and thanks for the reply,
It's interesting and I think quite scary that you say dementia patients are effectively specialled on a general ward. It makes me wonder if I'm going into the right specialism as an rmn. :scared:
It seems that dementia is not quite as much of a specialist area over there. More research needed!!

wannabauzzienurse

I don't think they are on a general ward cos they have dementia, people with dementia also get ill with other problems and have to be admitted to hospital, in the UK these people can take up a lot of nurses time just making sure they don't wander out the front door so I think having a guardian is a great idea.

breezeboylan

This is a common procedure on my ward. At least 85% of the time we will usually have a least one patient with a bed watch. That is apart from another patient who has been with us over 12 months now with a bed watch because of their dementia.
Tracie

fictionalsummer

Hi there, You mentioned you have just got your PIN number 2wks ago, I thought you had to be qualified for at least 12months before you could aim to emergrate to OZ. I am just started my final year of my nurse training (mental health) and am keen to go as soon as possible after I qualify. Could you tell me who your interview is with and how I go about getting an interview please, THANKYOU, FS.

rob&lucy

CONGRATULATONS newbie Talk to queensland health, especially up here in Townsville, as there are literally 10-20 RMN jobs going in all areas. I see it advertised on www.seek.com.au and qld health site. If you have less experience and want to come out talk to which ever hospital and see about sponsorship etc. Just remember that the new rules re citizenship apply from january (see thread by JAJ on Australia discussion forum at the top) so have a think which visa you want. I know a few people in mental health up here, NOT PERSONALLY so if you want any info just PM me.
Lucy

mooncat

Hi FS,

Sorry for the delay. You don't have to be qualified 12 months unless you want to go over on an independent visa. If you are happy to sign up with someone for 2 years you can go straight away as my friend has done.

I started emailing hospitals where i wanted to work about 3 months before I qualified and they all said to get in touch when i finished. All the agencies told me to get in touch after 6 months experience. Depends what you want to do.

The whole process takes time. Loads of time. I have got a permanent job here now as I need to pay the bills but also for the experience. I sent off a request for an academic transcript from the Uni where i did my training and I've still not received it.

Yes the process is slow but time goes really fast. I totally understand your eagerness. I was the same. The only thing I can suggest you do in the mean time is a bit of research. I'm still finding out new stuff now and of course, this is the place to read all about it. Everyone on here is so nice and so helpful. I wouldn't have been able to get this far without them.

Where are you doing your training and what do you fancy getting into when you qualify?

mooncat

Thanks Lucy,

What a great site! Was going down the 136 route but then someone mentioned the 12 month rule so that's out.
Going for sponsorship now. What's it like in Townsville?

Sarah
Ooops forgot to say thanks!! (how rude, I blame it on the speed typing I'm now getting good at. My mind can't keep up with my fingers!! )

mooncat

I think we have a crossed line. I realise patients with dementia also get ill with other problems. What I meant was that it's wierd for them to be on a general ward for long periods. The patients I nurse (all with dementia) also get ill but I have never had one admitted to a general ward who was mobile. We deal with their problems on site. If they do go to a general ward it's very rare and usually only a couple of days max.

Maybe it's an NHS thing. I don't know many general nurses over here who aren't scared by the terms 'mental' and 'health' in the same sentence. Having said that I know plenty of MH nurses who don't 'do' venepuncture, catheterisation etc

fictionalsummer

Hi Mooncat, thanks for the reply. Hope you dont mind if I pick your brains again, what benefits are there with an indepentant visa? will I be able to go down the same route you've gone down, with my wife and three young children? What is an academic transcript? you mentioned it has taken a long time, is that due to the different checks etc. What in your opinion would be my best route for us looking to live in Oz perminantly?

Not a very sociable reply I know, sorry for bombarding you with loads of questions. now to be more sociable...I'm studying in Cardiff, Southwales (mental health) I'm not sure what area I'm going to look to get into. I've enjoyed all my placements upto now. Dont know how things worked where you trained but we have to choose our final placement (management 3 months) and generally you pick the placement you'd most like to go into 'I think'. I'm thinking of child and adolescent but I'm not really sure. Can't think of much else at the mo apart from my dissertaion :scared: Where abouts are you in Oz and how are you finding things? Sorry again for all the questions, thanks again for the reply FS

mooncat

Hi FS,

Have sent you a PM.