career question for all the nurses...

I think you may as well do it as part of the nursing training. A guy in my nursing class had a Bachelor of Science and even though he could cross-credit about 3 papers, all it did for him was give him some extra free time in the first year (which, by the course's standards, is probably the easiest out of all 3), so really he would just get 'free' periods because he wasn't required to attend any of the A&P classes. But if you want some free time up your sleeve in the first year, then you should go for it.

I had a BA in psychology but wasn't able to cross-credit any of my courses, but I don't think it would have made much difference anyway.

Congrats on making the decision!

Good on ya. I'd like to do midwifery, but I wouldn't know where to start... doesn't help that I didn't finish high school. It's really confusing!

I started my nursing in the middle of what would have been 7th form too! I left school after 6th form tho, then worked in a resthome for 6 months before starting my degree in July!

Just read your question about upskilling. I am interested in that too as have been working as a techer for last 5 years and would like to make the switch back to nursing...fickle I am.

aye, what's this about new grads??! I really think it depends alot on where you trained, what placements you have had and what opportunities you gained through the placements.   Everyone when they first start out feels a little out of their depth because as a student you have to be subpervised giving meds, you can't even go near Iv's and at the end of the day you aren't fully accountable for the patient's care.. your buddy nurse is. So yep once you get out there, all new grads go through a period of adjustment.... not all of us are "dam scarey" i think it really depends on your work ethic and how much you've bothered to learn about A&P and all the other stuff.

Kellz you could probably contact nursing council to find out about upskilling etc, am sure they'd give you the guide-lines etc. The other thing you could do, is have a look out (cannot remember where you were previously working) but see if you can sign up for any study-days etc to boost the education hours.

Peanut in terms of returning to nursing after that amount of time off i think you might have to do a few papers or part of a "return to nursing" course, usually not too much, just updating clinical competencies etc through the uni or polytech - again nursing council is a really good point to start.



Edited by mum2paris

I think to upskill you have to go back to poly (or uni) and do the "Return to nursing" course. We get a lot of older nurses who have done it coming through, and bascially you have to re-do quite a bit of the theory, do a 10 week placement and then apply to nursing council. And its not cheap - about $2000 from what I understand...hence why I will never stop working for any length of time, couldn't be bothered with all that crap ! Or alternatively, you could just jump over the ditch and get a practicing cert there, work for a bit and then come back .

And I don't agree that grad nurses aren't any good...having come through the new system myself, and considering its the only option available, I think new grads do the best with what little skills they are taught at poly (or uni). I did my grad year in Oz and boy did I get chucked in the deep end - straight into IV's, CVC's, taking blood, ECG's etc. but man I learnt pretty quickly. I think the NZ system as a whole sucks but its what you have to do if you want to be a nurse...

Sorry for threadjacking, Amber! And BTW, nursing is great, but comes with loads of politics unfortunately.

Hehe, Shellandbella, am not old, just fickle. Only worked as a nurse for a year then trained as a teacher as wanted to get into family planning, but then got way laid in teaching - so am only 27. Will ring the council or have a nose on a website.

Don't mind paying to upskill as boredom is starting to set in.

guys i didnt say they are no good im saying to practice and practice the ones that come out with no experience and im talking about work not the experience you have while studying ..........i would employ someone that has worked as a caregiver to gain experience over someone that has 'just' studied any day......im saying to gain more experience then they allow at tech or uni ...dont except that studying is enough.........speaking from experience as employer and a nurse

TysMummy wrote: where do you want to nurse when you finish?

Well i REALLY REALLY REALLY lol want to work in the neonatal unit (for obvious reasons....midwifery) so if im able to i will go whereever i can get in that isnt more than an hours travel of course!

Im not sure if there is a neonatal unit in whakatane which would be my prefered choice...do you know if there is Kellz??? (seen as you worked there!)

I loved working in Oz, Amber. Working conditions and wages were far superior and nurses had more responsibilities over there (limited prescribing rights, input to change, etc. and I loved how they had legal nurse/patient ratios.

I work in operating theatre...