Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Jul 22nd 2007, 10:00 am
#1
Sparky Stu
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 612
Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Warning Long Post!!!
Thought it was time for me Sparky Stu and Nurse Katy to give you guys an update!
We arrived in Cairns on the 27th of June. Katy was sponserd by the hospital so we are here on a 457 but intend to apply for pr, thought the 457 was a easy way in to try oz before sheding out money on visa's and it was quicker.
We flew with Air new zealend, pretty much a non stop flight via los angeles. Iv got to say we found the flight no problem at all, yes we were a little tired when we arrived but we just got on with the day and went to bed at the correct time. Im sure it would have been different with kids.
We were picked up at the airport by one of Katys work collegues and taken to the free accomodation. (free for 2 weeks with the sponsership) Very nice appartment right in the center behind the hospital.
Our main priority's were to get stuck into sorting all the paperwork out, finding a car, and permenent accomodation. We hired a car from Cairns older car and van hire. Can recommend it, granted it was an old bomb but did the job for us to get around in. All i can say about hunting for a car is it is a mine field! We were told to stay away from the dealers unless your buying new. We wanted to spend around $7000 on somthing just to run around in, all we could find were total wrecks. We ended up stricking gold a mitsubishi lancer 2000 plate with 64,000km which is bloody low milage out here and not a mark on it $9100 we paid for it with full service history. We bought it through a company called automatch. They basically sell cars for other people. He spent hours with us, not pushy or anything and would recomend them to anyone moving over here and not wanting a brand new car. He did the road worhty certificate for us, pre purchase check to show if anything was wrong with it.
Right next was the rental hunt! Agaqin a bloomin big job. We have a house in the uk and decided to rent it out just to see how things go out here so a rental is what we needed. We set a max buget of $350 a week. We wanted to be central for Katy getting to work and us only having one car. There was plenty to choose from but its not a case of just go look, you have to drive past the accomodation first??? Some rule they have out here??? Once you have done that you arrange a viewing. We looked at a few, most were in blocks with a pool. We decided we wanted a 2 bed for friends and family coming to stay and ended up pushing the boat out and spending $380 a week but its great where we are. Its called the lakes resort, rather posh! Most of what we looked at was around $300 a week and the lakes is proper resort style living. 3 pools, gym, sauna, restraunts, bars. Very large 2 bed appartment overlooking one of the pools fully furnished with balcony. Its great!!!Nice for friends when they come to stay!
We sorted most of the other paperwork out ok medicare and stuff but the bank has been the biggest problem. 4 times we have had to order our bank cards due to people not doing there jobs propery, pain in the bum tryign to find time to go in to get money out! Thats westpac for you!
Right next was my job(electrician)
Well i managed to get a job through youngy73 off here. Iv kept in touch with him for the past 6 months via email and he got me a start with his boss. If your not a tradesman might be best you read on past this bit if iv not bored you allready! I got my ARTC in the uk before we left for oz. The result was electrical mechanic which i was very happy with. Having this meant i could get out to work straight away.
Youngy picked me up on the monday morning and we went to the shed(workshop) whatever you want to call it! I met a few of the lads, all seemed a good bunch and no pomm jokes which suprised me!
Me youngy and an apprentice set off for the day on a fitoff(second fix). Just fitting fans, sockets, downlights and so on! I will say the twin and earth out here has the earth sleaved "bonus"!
The second day i was doing a pre wire(first fix) iv got to say this is when my eyes were opend! Lets just say there standards are a little less than the uk! Dont think they have heard of a cable clip??!!! I'll let you sparks out there see it for youselves when you get out here! I wont even go into the testing or lack of it!
Most of the work im doing is new builds and boy is there a lot of it going on. Massive development all over Cairns.
I thought i would be starting on $22 an hour until i have the licence but the boss has started me on $25 so im well happy!
The hours are 38 a week, 7-3 but there is as much overtime as you want. Not that thats why we came out here to be doing overtime!!!
Im starting the licence process in the next couple of weeks, cant say im looking forward to it but i guess i has to be done!
right now it's nursekatys turn!!
well seems as stu's filled you in on all the practical stuff with moving here all i've got to tell you about really is my job!!!i'm a staff nurse with 9months experience in icu at home...and have continued work in icu over here...i'm full time here (40hrs/wk)doing 8 hour shifts at the moment after a few weeks i'm gonna be doing 12hr shifts...i can't wait..more days off!!!well got picked up from airport from one of the team leaders which is good to have that familiar face when i started!!i had a week off before i started so went in n got my beautiful floral blouses for my uniform!!!(wit woo)!!my first couple of days was getting orientation and getting all formalities don...security card etc..
so my 1st proper shift on icu over here
i was supernumery for the first 2 weeks, usually it's 4 weeks but cause i've got experience and the ventilators and monitors are the same as at home...i just had 2 weeks....at first we were quite quiet with mainly hdu level patients but we've definatly busied up now...we've been full all week of icu patients....everyone is really friendly and have met a few english nurses that are working there.
i can't really tell you much differences from home...all the principles are the same but just the odd thing....giving 100%o2 prior to suctioning n just the routines are different.....it's very different to at home as there are no auxilliary nurses here...we have "wardies"...all the wardies i've come across are men and their job is to come and roll the patient for us...help with transfers...they're really helpful and you just ring them when you need a hand...there's also a couple of enrolled nurses on the unit...which mainly do a lot of the ordering of stock and preparing bed spaces....there's no junior sisters or sisters out here....we have your rn's, clinical leaders then team leaders...who run the unit...then there's the nurse manager. there's no obvious hierchary here everyone is treat the same and no-one is on a power trip (which i found at home...think it's cause i did my training in a small hospital where everyone was screaming out that they were better than others!)
did my first shift on friday on my own and it was brill....it's good getting the support of supernumery but i was ready to be on my own....have been off all weekendand am back in on tues....n i'm actually looking forward to work!!(at home i had 1 1/2 drive either side of my 14 hr shift so it was hard work, here it;s a 2 min drive)!!
there's loads of training here nearly everyday there's and "in-service" where they go over new drugs coming out, aortic balloon pumps, machines that we don;t use that often but just to give us a reminder.
the basic pay is bit less than at home but enhancements are much better here...$44,834 for now.
Enhancement
Evening +12.5%
Night +20%
Sat +50%
Sun +75%
it was public holiday on friday i worked and wage was double n a half pay!!!
annual leave 6weeks/year
also have staff development allowance which is $1500 per year!!you can roll it over for only 1 year...most people carry it over for a year then buy a new laptop every 2nd year!!not bad eh....you don't get that in the nhs!!well tomorrow i'm gonna go buy a printer then claim that money back!!!i also get money back in 6mthly intervals for my flights etc i had to pay to get over here!!
anyway not much else to say on the nursing fronti'll update ya in the future n see if i still feel the same!!so far i'm loving it...n am loving that when i finish work at 3.30 i can go and chill round the pool in the lovely sunshine instead of being stuck inside in england cause it's pissing it down and don;t wanna leave the house!!!any other questions let me know!!!n everyone who's hesitating to come out here......just do it....my mums moving out end of the year and that's the only thing i miss bout home...family and friends..but thank god for skype it's great way to keep in touch!!!!oh n also thanks youngy for all your help know you'll prob be reading this!!!
Sparky Stu and Nurse Katy
Thought it was time for me Sparky Stu and Nurse Katy to give you guys an update!
We arrived in Cairns on the 27th of June. Katy was sponserd by the hospital so we are here on a 457 but intend to apply for pr, thought the 457 was a easy way in to try oz before sheding out money on visa's and it was quicker.
We flew with Air new zealend, pretty much a non stop flight via los angeles. Iv got to say we found the flight no problem at all, yes we were a little tired when we arrived but we just got on with the day and went to bed at the correct time. Im sure it would have been different with kids.
We were picked up at the airport by one of Katys work collegues and taken to the free accomodation. (free for 2 weeks with the sponsership) Very nice appartment right in the center behind the hospital.
Our main priority's were to get stuck into sorting all the paperwork out, finding a car, and permenent accomodation. We hired a car from Cairns older car and van hire. Can recommend it, granted it was an old bomb but did the job for us to get around in. All i can say about hunting for a car is it is a mine field! We were told to stay away from the dealers unless your buying new. We wanted to spend around $7000 on somthing just to run around in, all we could find were total wrecks. We ended up stricking gold a mitsubishi lancer 2000 plate with 64,000km which is bloody low milage out here and not a mark on it $9100 we paid for it with full service history. We bought it through a company called automatch. They basically sell cars for other people. He spent hours with us, not pushy or anything and would recomend them to anyone moving over here and not wanting a brand new car. He did the road worhty certificate for us, pre purchase check to show if anything was wrong with it.
Right next was the rental hunt! Agaqin a bloomin big job. We have a house in the uk and decided to rent it out just to see how things go out here so a rental is what we needed. We set a max buget of $350 a week. We wanted to be central for Katy getting to work and us only having one car. There was plenty to choose from but its not a case of just go look, you have to drive past the accomodation first??? Some rule they have out here??? Once you have done that you arrange a viewing. We looked at a few, most were in blocks with a pool. We decided we wanted a 2 bed for friends and family coming to stay and ended up pushing the boat out and spending $380 a week but its great where we are. Its called the lakes resort, rather posh! Most of what we looked at was around $300 a week and the lakes is proper resort style living. 3 pools, gym, sauna, restraunts, bars. Very large 2 bed appartment overlooking one of the pools fully furnished with balcony. Its great!!!Nice for friends when they come to stay!
We sorted most of the other paperwork out ok medicare and stuff but the bank has been the biggest problem. 4 times we have had to order our bank cards due to people not doing there jobs propery, pain in the bum tryign to find time to go in to get money out! Thats westpac for you!
Right next was my job(electrician)
Well i managed to get a job through youngy73 off here. Iv kept in touch with him for the past 6 months via email and he got me a start with his boss. If your not a tradesman might be best you read on past this bit if iv not bored you allready! I got my ARTC in the uk before we left for oz. The result was electrical mechanic which i was very happy with. Having this meant i could get out to work straight away.
Youngy picked me up on the monday morning and we went to the shed(workshop) whatever you want to call it! I met a few of the lads, all seemed a good bunch and no pomm jokes which suprised me!
Me youngy and an apprentice set off for the day on a fitoff(second fix). Just fitting fans, sockets, downlights and so on! I will say the twin and earth out here has the earth sleaved "bonus"!
The second day i was doing a pre wire(first fix) iv got to say this is when my eyes were opend! Lets just say there standards are a little less than the uk! Dont think they have heard of a cable clip??!!! I'll let you sparks out there see it for youselves when you get out here! I wont even go into the testing or lack of it!
Most of the work im doing is new builds and boy is there a lot of it going on. Massive development all over Cairns.
I thought i would be starting on $22 an hour until i have the licence but the boss has started me on $25 so im well happy!
The hours are 38 a week, 7-3 but there is as much overtime as you want. Not that thats why we came out here to be doing overtime!!!
Im starting the licence process in the next couple of weeks, cant say im looking forward to it but i guess i has to be done!
right now it's nursekatys turn!!
well seems as stu's filled you in on all the practical stuff with moving here all i've got to tell you about really is my job!!!i'm a staff nurse with 9months experience in icu at home...and have continued work in icu over here...i'm full time here (40hrs/wk)doing 8 hour shifts at the moment after a few weeks i'm gonna be doing 12hr shifts...i can't wait..more days off!!!well got picked up from airport from one of the team leaders which is good to have that familiar face when i started!!i had a week off before i started so went in n got my beautiful floral blouses for my uniform!!!(wit woo)!!my first couple of days was getting orientation and getting all formalities don...security card etc..
so my 1st proper shift on icu over here
i was supernumery for the first 2 weeks, usually it's 4 weeks but cause i've got experience and the ventilators and monitors are the same as at home...i just had 2 weeks....at first we were quite quiet with mainly hdu level patients but we've definatly busied up now...we've been full all week of icu patients....everyone is really friendly and have met a few english nurses that are working there.
i can't really tell you much differences from home...all the principles are the same but just the odd thing....giving 100%o2 prior to suctioning n just the routines are different.....it's very different to at home as there are no auxilliary nurses here...we have "wardies"...all the wardies i've come across are men and their job is to come and roll the patient for us...help with transfers...they're really helpful and you just ring them when you need a hand...there's also a couple of enrolled nurses on the unit...which mainly do a lot of the ordering of stock and preparing bed spaces....there's no junior sisters or sisters out here....we have your rn's, clinical leaders then team leaders...who run the unit...then there's the nurse manager. there's no obvious hierchary here everyone is treat the same and no-one is on a power trip (which i found at home...think it's cause i did my training in a small hospital where everyone was screaming out that they were better than others!)
did my first shift on friday on my own and it was brill....it's good getting the support of supernumery but i was ready to be on my own....have been off all weekendand am back in on tues....n i'm actually looking forward to work!!(at home i had 1 1/2 drive either side of my 14 hr shift so it was hard work, here it;s a 2 min drive)!!
there's loads of training here nearly everyday there's and "in-service" where they go over new drugs coming out, aortic balloon pumps, machines that we don;t use that often but just to give us a reminder.
the basic pay is bit less than at home but enhancements are much better here...$44,834 for now.
Enhancement
Evening +12.5%
Night +20%
Sat +50%
Sun +75%
it was public holiday on friday i worked and wage was double n a half pay!!!
annual leave 6weeks/year
also have staff development allowance which is $1500 per year!!you can roll it over for only 1 year...most people carry it over for a year then buy a new laptop every 2nd year!!not bad eh....you don't get that in the nhs!!well tomorrow i'm gonna go buy a printer then claim that money back!!!i also get money back in 6mthly intervals for my flights etc i had to pay to get over here!!
anyway not much else to say on the nursing fronti'll update ya in the future n see if i still feel the same!!so far i'm loving it...n am loving that when i finish work at 3.30 i can go and chill round the pool in the lovely sunshine instead of being stuck inside in england cause it's pissing it down and don;t wanna leave the house!!!any other questions let me know!!!n everyone who's hesitating to come out here......just do it....my mums moving out end of the year and that's the only thing i miss bout home...family and friends..but thank god for skype it's great way to keep in touch!!!!oh n also thanks youngy for all your help know you'll prob be reading this!!!
Sparky Stu and Nurse Katy
Jul 22nd 2007, 11:57 am
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: The Gold Coast
Posts: 3,069
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Sounds great! I'm glad you have both settled so well
I'm looking forward to heading over in a few weeks and reading posts like this make me feel a bit better when I am shi***ng myself
Not that I worry often but I am starting to wobble a bit now and then.
Keep on with the updates, will be looking out for them
Tracey.x.
I'm looking forward to heading over in a few weeks and reading posts like this make me feel a bit better when I am shi***ng myself
Not that I worry often but I am starting to wobble a bit now and then. Keep on with the updates, will be looking out for them
Tracey.x.
Jul 22nd 2007, 12:57 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 120
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Great post, thanks.
We're hopefully heading that way too, if our visa ever gets through.
Keep on posting updates.
We may also need to pick your brains/experiences nearer to our move time, (if it ever comes off).
We're hopefully heading that way too, if our visa ever gets through.
Keep on posting updates.
We may also need to pick your brains/experiences nearer to our move time, (if it ever comes off).
Jul 22nd 2007, 6:25 pm
#4
Just Joined
Joined: May 2007
Location: Carlisle
Posts: 13
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Hi Stu
Me and my wife are thinking of moving to Buderim in Queensland, but have a number of worries. You could maybe help us with a few. The wages paid seem to be less than here, how are you coping with this. Is the cost of living cheaper? How have you coped working in the heat and with all the deadly insects and snakes (have you come accross any). Did you go with an agency or did you sort your visa yourself?
Me and my wife are thinking of moving to Buderim in Queensland, but have a number of worries. You could maybe help us with a few. The wages paid seem to be less than here, how are you coping with this. Is the cost of living cheaper? How have you coped working in the heat and with all the deadly insects and snakes (have you come accross any). Did you go with an agency or did you sort your visa yourself?
Jul 22nd 2007, 7:27 pm
#5
Worongary
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: GC hinterland
Posts: 10,288
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
excellent post guys. i`m glad its all falling into place for you 
regards steve
regards steve
Jul 22nd 2007, 8:18 pm
#6
Joined: May 2006
Location: in the Sydney asylum
Posts: 20,690
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
really good update thanks for that 
seems like things are working out well for you
seems like things are working out well for you
Jul 22nd 2007, 10:47 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: at the bottom of a wine glass
Posts: 28,176
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Welcome to Australia Stu & Katie
Jul 23rd 2007, 5:34 am
#8
da Bonehead
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Lion in da jungle
Posts: 22,767
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Very informative post and welcome to Cairns Stu & Katy 
Jul 23rd 2007, 5:50 am
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Peregian Beach SC Qld
Posts: 1,522
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Well done Stu and Katy
Great Post, glad you are settleing in ok.
Have you got broadband?
Keep it coming
Great Post, glad you are settleing in ok.
Have you got broadband?
Keep it coming
Jul 23rd 2007, 7:06 am
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,672
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
We have just come back from our hols in Cairns and we stayed at the Lakes, its lovely
glad things are working out for you
jacqui
glad things are working out for you
jacqui
Jul 23rd 2007, 8:11 am
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Secret Harbour WA
Posts: 307
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
That was a lovely post. Glad it's all working out for you. Good luck with the future.
Jul 23rd 2007, 8:16 am
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 757
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Great update, enjoy your new life
Jul 23rd 2007, 2:30 pm
#13
Just Joined
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Warning Long Post!!!
Thought it was time for me Sparky Stu and Nurse Katy to give you guys an update!
We arrived in Cairns on the 27th of June. Katy was sponserd by the hospital so we are here on a 457 but intend to apply for pr, thought the 457 was a easy way in to try oz before sheding out money on visa's and it was quicker.
We flew with Air new zealend, pretty much a non stop flight via los angeles. Iv got to say we found the flight no problem at all, yes we were a little tired when we arrived but we just got on with the day and went to bed at the correct time. Im sure it would have been different with kids.
We were picked up at the airport by one of Katys work collegues and taken to the free accomodation. (free for 2 weeks with the sponsership) Very nice appartment right in the center behind the hospital.
Our main priority's were to get stuck into sorting all the paperwork out, finding a car, and permenent accomodation. We hired a car from Cairns older car and van hire. Can recommend it, granted it was an old bomb but did the job for us to get around in. All i can say about hunting for a car is it is a mine field! We were told to stay away from the dealers unless your buying new. We wanted to spend around $7000 on somthing just to run around in, all we could find were total wrecks. We ended up stricking gold a mitsubishi lancer 2000 plate with 64,000km which is bloody low milage out here and not a mark on it $9100 we paid for it with full service history. We bought it through a company called automatch. They basically sell cars for other people. He spent hours with us, not pushy or anything and would recomend them to anyone moving over here and not wanting a brand new car. He did the road worhty certificate for us, pre purchase check to show if anything was wrong with it.
Right next was the rental hunt! Agaqin a bloomin big job. We have a house in the uk and decided to rent it out just to see how things go out here so a rental is what we needed. We set a max buget of $350 a week. We wanted to be central for Katy getting to work and us only having one car. There was plenty to choose from but its not a case of just go look, you have to drive past the accomodation first??? Some rule they have out here??? Once you have done that you arrange a viewing. We looked at a few, most were in blocks with a pool. We decided we wanted a 2 bed for friends and family coming to stay and ended up pushing the boat out and spending $380 a week but its great where we are. Its called the lakes resort, rather posh! Most of what we looked at was around $300 a week and the lakes is proper resort style living. 3 pools, gym, sauna, restraunts, bars. Very large 2 bed appartment overlooking one of the pools fully furnished with balcony. Its great!!!Nice for friends when they come to stay!
We sorted most of the other paperwork out ok medicare and stuff but the bank has been the biggest problem. 4 times we have had to order our bank cards due to people not doing there jobs propery, pain in the bum tryign to find time to go in to get money out! Thats westpac for you!
Right next was my job(electrician)
Well i managed to get a job through youngy73 off here. Iv kept in touch with him for the past 6 months via email and he got me a start with his boss. If your not a tradesman might be best you read on past this bit if iv not bored you allready! I got my ARTC in the uk before we left for oz. The result was electrical mechanic which i was very happy with. Having this meant i could get out to work straight away.
Youngy picked me up on the monday morning and we went to the shed(workshop) whatever you want to call it! I met a few of the lads, all seemed a good bunch and no pomm jokes which suprised me!
Me youngy and an apprentice set off for the day on a fitoff(second fix). Just fitting fans, sockets, downlights and so on! I will say the twin and earth out here has the earth sleaved "bonus"!
The second day i was doing a pre wire(first fix) iv got to say this is when my eyes were opend! Lets just say there standards are a little less than the uk! Dont think they have heard of a cable clip??!!! I'll let you sparks out there see it for youselves when you get out here! I wont even go into the testing or lack of it!
Most of the work im doing is new builds and boy is there a lot of it going on. Massive development all over Cairns.
I thought i would be starting on $22 an hour until i have the licence but the boss has started me on $25 so im well happy!
The hours are 38 a week, 7-3 but there is as much overtime as you want. Not that thats why we came out here to be doing overtime!!!
Im starting the licence process in the next couple of weeks, cant say im looking forward to it but i guess i has to be done!
right now it's nursekatys turn!!
well seems as stu's filled you in on all the practical stuff with moving here all i've got to tell you about really is my job!!!i'm a staff nurse with 9months experience in icu at home...and have continued work in icu over here...i'm full time here (40hrs/wk)doing 8 hour shifts at the moment after a few weeks i'm gonna be doing 12hr shifts...i can't wait..more days off!!!well got picked up from airport from one of the team leaders which is good to have that familiar face when i started!!i had a week off before i started so went in n got my beautiful floral blouses for my uniform!!!(wit woo)!!my first couple of days was getting orientation and getting all formalities don...security card etc..
so my 1st proper shift on icu over here
i was supernumery for the first 2 weeks, usually it's 4 weeks but cause i've got experience and the ventilators and monitors are the same as at home...i just had 2 weeks....at first we were quite quiet with mainly hdu level patients but we've definatly busied up now...we've been full all week of icu patients....everyone is really friendly and have met a few english nurses that are working there.
i can't really tell you much differences from home...all the principles are the same but just the odd thing....giving 100%o2 prior to suctioning n just the routines are different.....it's very different to at home as there are no auxilliary nurses here...we have "wardies"...all the wardies i've come across are men and their job is to come and roll the patient for us...help with transfers...they're really helpful and you just ring them when you need a hand...there's also a couple of enrolled nurses on the unit...which mainly do a lot of the ordering of stock and preparing bed spaces....there's no junior sisters or sisters out here....we have your rn's, clinical leaders then team leaders...who run the unit...then there's the nurse manager. there's no obvious hierchary here everyone is treat the same and no-one is on a power trip (which i found at home...think it's cause i did my training in a small hospital where everyone was screaming out that they were better than others!)
did my first shift on friday on my own and it was brill....it's good getting the support of supernumery but i was ready to be on my own....have been off all weekendand am back in on tues....n i'm actually looking forward to work!!(at home i had 1 1/2 drive either side of my 14 hr shift so it was hard work, here it;s a 2 min drive)!!
there's loads of training here nearly everyday there's and "in-service" where they go over new drugs coming out, aortic balloon pumps, machines that we don;t use that often but just to give us a reminder.
the basic pay is bit less than at home but enhancements are much better here...$44,834 for now.
Enhancement
Evening +12.5%
Night +20%
Sat +50%
Sun +75%
it was public holiday on friday i worked and wage was double n a half pay!!!
annual leave 6weeks/year
also have staff development allowance which is $1500 per year!!you can roll it over for only 1 year...most people carry it over for a year then buy a new laptop every 2nd year!!not bad eh....you don't get that in the nhs!!well tomorrow i'm gonna go buy a printer then claim that money back!!!i also get money back in 6mthly intervals for my flights etc i had to pay to get over here!!
anyway not much else to say on the nursing fronti'll update ya in the future n see if i still feel the same!!so far i'm loving it...n am loving that when i finish work at 3.30 i can go and chill round the pool in the lovely sunshine instead of being stuck inside in england cause it's pissing it down and don;t wanna leave the house!!!any other questions let me know!!!n everyone who's hesitating to come out here......just do it....my mums moving out end of the year and that's the only thing i miss bout home...family and friends..but thank god for skype it's great way to keep in touch!!!!oh n also thanks youngy for all your help know you'll prob be reading this!!!
Sparky Stu and Nurse Katy
Thought it was time for me Sparky Stu and Nurse Katy to give you guys an update!
We arrived in Cairns on the 27th of June. Katy was sponserd by the hospital so we are here on a 457 but intend to apply for pr, thought the 457 was a easy way in to try oz before sheding out money on visa's and it was quicker.
We flew with Air new zealend, pretty much a non stop flight via los angeles. Iv got to say we found the flight no problem at all, yes we were a little tired when we arrived but we just got on with the day and went to bed at the correct time. Im sure it would have been different with kids.
We were picked up at the airport by one of Katys work collegues and taken to the free accomodation. (free for 2 weeks with the sponsership) Very nice appartment right in the center behind the hospital.
Our main priority's were to get stuck into sorting all the paperwork out, finding a car, and permenent accomodation. We hired a car from Cairns older car and van hire. Can recommend it, granted it was an old bomb but did the job for us to get around in. All i can say about hunting for a car is it is a mine field! We were told to stay away from the dealers unless your buying new. We wanted to spend around $7000 on somthing just to run around in, all we could find were total wrecks. We ended up stricking gold a mitsubishi lancer 2000 plate with 64,000km which is bloody low milage out here and not a mark on it $9100 we paid for it with full service history. We bought it through a company called automatch. They basically sell cars for other people. He spent hours with us, not pushy or anything and would recomend them to anyone moving over here and not wanting a brand new car. He did the road worhty certificate for us, pre purchase check to show if anything was wrong with it.
Right next was the rental hunt! Agaqin a bloomin big job. We have a house in the uk and decided to rent it out just to see how things go out here so a rental is what we needed. We set a max buget of $350 a week. We wanted to be central for Katy getting to work and us only having one car. There was plenty to choose from but its not a case of just go look, you have to drive past the accomodation first??? Some rule they have out here??? Once you have done that you arrange a viewing. We looked at a few, most were in blocks with a pool. We decided we wanted a 2 bed for friends and family coming to stay and ended up pushing the boat out and spending $380 a week but its great where we are. Its called the lakes resort, rather posh! Most of what we looked at was around $300 a week and the lakes is proper resort style living. 3 pools, gym, sauna, restraunts, bars. Very large 2 bed appartment overlooking one of the pools fully furnished with balcony. Its great!!!Nice for friends when they come to stay!
We sorted most of the other paperwork out ok medicare and stuff but the bank has been the biggest problem. 4 times we have had to order our bank cards due to people not doing there jobs propery, pain in the bum tryign to find time to go in to get money out! Thats westpac for you!
Right next was my job(electrician)
Well i managed to get a job through youngy73 off here. Iv kept in touch with him for the past 6 months via email and he got me a start with his boss. If your not a tradesman might be best you read on past this bit if iv not bored you allready! I got my ARTC in the uk before we left for oz. The result was electrical mechanic which i was very happy with. Having this meant i could get out to work straight away.
Youngy picked me up on the monday morning and we went to the shed(workshop) whatever you want to call it! I met a few of the lads, all seemed a good bunch and no pomm jokes which suprised me!
Me youngy and an apprentice set off for the day on a fitoff(second fix). Just fitting fans, sockets, downlights and so on! I will say the twin and earth out here has the earth sleaved "bonus"!
The second day i was doing a pre wire(first fix) iv got to say this is when my eyes were opend! Lets just say there standards are a little less than the uk! Dont think they have heard of a cable clip??!!! I'll let you sparks out there see it for youselves when you get out here! I wont even go into the testing or lack of it!
Most of the work im doing is new builds and boy is there a lot of it going on. Massive development all over Cairns.
I thought i would be starting on $22 an hour until i have the licence but the boss has started me on $25 so im well happy!
The hours are 38 a week, 7-3 but there is as much overtime as you want. Not that thats why we came out here to be doing overtime!!!
Im starting the licence process in the next couple of weeks, cant say im looking forward to it but i guess i has to be done!
right now it's nursekatys turn!!
well seems as stu's filled you in on all the practical stuff with moving here all i've got to tell you about really is my job!!!i'm a staff nurse with 9months experience in icu at home...and have continued work in icu over here...i'm full time here (40hrs/wk)doing 8 hour shifts at the moment after a few weeks i'm gonna be doing 12hr shifts...i can't wait..more days off!!!well got picked up from airport from one of the team leaders which is good to have that familiar face when i started!!i had a week off before i started so went in n got my beautiful floral blouses for my uniform!!!(wit woo)!!my first couple of days was getting orientation and getting all formalities don...security card etc..
so my 1st proper shift on icu over here
i was supernumery for the first 2 weeks, usually it's 4 weeks but cause i've got experience and the ventilators and monitors are the same as at home...i just had 2 weeks....at first we were quite quiet with mainly hdu level patients but we've definatly busied up now...we've been full all week of icu patients....everyone is really friendly and have met a few english nurses that are working there.
i can't really tell you much differences from home...all the principles are the same but just the odd thing....giving 100%o2 prior to suctioning n just the routines are different.....it's very different to at home as there are no auxilliary nurses here...we have "wardies"...all the wardies i've come across are men and their job is to come and roll the patient for us...help with transfers...they're really helpful and you just ring them when you need a hand...there's also a couple of enrolled nurses on the unit...which mainly do a lot of the ordering of stock and preparing bed spaces....there's no junior sisters or sisters out here....we have your rn's, clinical leaders then team leaders...who run the unit...then there's the nurse manager. there's no obvious hierchary here everyone is treat the same and no-one is on a power trip (which i found at home...think it's cause i did my training in a small hospital where everyone was screaming out that they were better than others!)
did my first shift on friday on my own and it was brill....it's good getting the support of supernumery but i was ready to be on my own....have been off all weekendand am back in on tues....n i'm actually looking forward to work!!(at home i had 1 1/2 drive either side of my 14 hr shift so it was hard work, here it;s a 2 min drive)!!
there's loads of training here nearly everyday there's and "in-service" where they go over new drugs coming out, aortic balloon pumps, machines that we don;t use that often but just to give us a reminder.
the basic pay is bit less than at home but enhancements are much better here...$44,834 for now.
Enhancement
Evening +12.5%
Night +20%
Sat +50%
Sun +75%
it was public holiday on friday i worked and wage was double n a half pay!!!
annual leave 6weeks/year
also have staff development allowance which is $1500 per year!!you can roll it over for only 1 year...most people carry it over for a year then buy a new laptop every 2nd year!!not bad eh....you don't get that in the nhs!!well tomorrow i'm gonna go buy a printer then claim that money back!!!i also get money back in 6mthly intervals for my flights etc i had to pay to get over here!!
anyway not much else to say on the nursing fronti'll update ya in the future n see if i still feel the same!!so far i'm loving it...n am loving that when i finish work at 3.30 i can go and chill round the pool in the lovely sunshine instead of being stuck inside in england cause it's pissing it down and don;t wanna leave the house!!!any other questions let me know!!!n everyone who's hesitating to come out here......just do it....my mums moving out end of the year and that's the only thing i miss bout home...family and friends..but thank god for skype it's great way to keep in touch!!!!oh n also thanks youngy for all your help know you'll prob be reading this!!!
Sparky Stu and Nurse Katy
thanks caroline
Jul 23rd 2007, 2:43 pm
#14
on the Goldie
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: 4226.au
Posts: 12,364
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
Hey great to hear u have got everything "sorted" hope things go from strength to strength for you both.
Jul 23rd 2007, 4:09 pm
#15
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,693
Re: Electrician and Nurse update 1 month in !!!!!!
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Sparky Stu and Nurse Katy[/QUOTE]
Really pleased you guys have settled in and are making progress, well done !
Keep the updates coming, lol.
Dave
UK
Sparky Stu and Nurse Katy
[/QUOTE]Really pleased you guys have settled in and are making progress, well done !
Keep the updates coming, lol.
Dave
UK