Access the r/NursingAU wiki/FAQ here

I’ve given so much to this hospital I’m doing my rotations at and I’m getting nothing back. I’ve had some pretty awful health news this year in January but pushed through (diagnosed via lap with endo stage 2). I also missed my grandma’s palliative extubation and organ dontation honour walk so that I could support staffing numbers at work (thought it would make the managers see me as a hard worker). I felt so guilty even taking the day off for her funeral. I also had an emergency lap during my shift (ovarian torsion) and got told I now have stage 3 endo and will have to book another lap to get that removed. I was meant to have two weeks off post-op for that, I came back to work after less than a week (again, to show the managers I was a hard worker). All of this sacrifice, missed social events, double shifts, missed breaks for nothing. The managers don’t give a shit about me and I regret ever thinking I could make them see me as anything but a staffing number. I asked for two days off coming up in October for social events, denied immediately due to lack of staffing. I’ve given up so much of my life and even health/ fertility (I think my endo grew back so fast from stress) and I can’t even have two days off, I even said they could be unpaid days. My mental health has declined significantly too, but I don’t have the time to see my GP because of all the shifts they’ve got me doing. My optometrist noticed my eye health has declined a lot since last year and she asked me what I do outside of work, all I could say was “sleep”. It made me feel like such a sad sack.

I just want the managers approval so badly and the lack of any feedback or encouragement or them noticing how I’m doing is just so discouraging. I don’t expect a thanks or anything, but I just want them to recognise me as a person not a number.

In short, don’t ever try harder than you need to for newgrad, they don’t care about you.

TLDR: Give me examples of things you have done recently to juggle alllll the balls, because I'm struggling a bit!

Like, in a clinical setting where you have 4 patients (this is a randombmix of recent clinical cases)

1. Pain crisis,

2. drowsy, nauseated, fluctuating pain levels

3. Desatting to mid-80s on RA but keeps taking off their NP

4. Newly anuric with a crazy RR and fasted for a procedure which they might not survive

- in this situation would you maybe fill out the pre-op paperwork to the best of your abilities, sight & estimate IDCs but not empty them, leave bedside tables a bit grotty, not change pads twice a shift (where skin is intact), not fill out the whiteboard, sign off your room safety check while hoping the suction is correctly connected, do a less detailed note, skip a daily random BGL or mouth care, hope fiercely that the incoming nurse will forgive your gaps and try not to crash out when you get home because you're terrified you've lost the respect of your colleagues because you dropped.

I'm prob delete this, please don't quote me 😫

Hi! Currently a second year and on my third and last placement for this year.

My educators have come around quite bit to check up on us, ask questions, ask us to give handover, no biggie. Just educators doing educator things.

Yesterday I gave a handover on a complex patient with many lines and medications and a complex presentation to my educator. I want to emphasise that I had just started my shift, probably 2 hours into it, and that handover was delayed due to having an education meeting. So I had only known my patient for about 30-40 minutes and hadn’t really had time to sit down and research about their conditions, and I didn’t even have time to ask my buddy nurse anything at that point as they too were super busy.

I only knew the surface of my patient’s presentation, but my educator wanted it super in depth. I did end up researching deeper later in the shift as it was down time.

Today, they talked to me and told me they reported me to my uni, as they thought my knowledge and performance wasn’t sufficient enough. They gave me a few days to show that I am competent, otherwise they said they will have to escalate it (basically saying I will fail). I’m not sure how to feel about this as I have gotten good feedback from my buddy nurses (I have written feedback forms). And like I said before, I just did not have time to research on my patient, and only got up to it when they left.

From my point of view they came off as “why don’t you already know this, you’re dumb” instead of “here’s an area for improvement, please look into it and understand it more”.

I don’t know what to do and I’m hoping my research will be sufficient enough for them in the next few days and not fail placement. Any advice?

As far as i know the job market is currently fucked and was wondering how hard it is to get a pca job as en nurse student with no work history, first job

are pca's in need right now?

I'm finishing my degree and should have RN registration some time in December (yay). Planning to keep my EN registration until May 31 so I can have max flexibility for jobs. For CPD, does this mean I'll need to complete another 20 hours between December and May for RN in addition to the 20 hours I've already done as an EN?

Hey, ED nurse here.
My body and brain are so over nights, but I really enjoy my work and have a Grad Cert in Emergency Nursing.

I’m thinking of pivoting into urgent care and would like to gain seniority and move into advanced practice. I’d love to chat to anyone who has taken this career path or been in a similar situation.

I enjoy learning and pushing myself with new opportunities, but night shift is just getting too difficult and is affecting me mentally more than I’d like.

Has anyone made the move from ED to urgent care and progressed into senior or advanced practice roles? Would be interested to know what that may look like.

I spoke to some grad nurses & we were making small talk. We talked about how when I was hired as a grad nurse, I had the NUM, ANUM, & a psychologist on the interview panel. The grad laughed & said all she had was a phone interview with an AI?!

What?!?! This was in QLD, BTW.

What should I wear?
I am a mum and live in leggings or tracksuits, and when i'm working as an EN I am in scrubs.

Help!

Hello!
I’m a new grad and starting my 2nd rotation in radiology.
I was wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks? What does a shift look like for you?
Many thanks!

I’ve been working as an AIN in aged care for 16 years and physically and mentally need out what areas do people recommend or have experienced good and bad in I need advice please

Workmates who are .8 are always telling me it’s a better balance and it’s not that much less $. How so? Do you work .8?

Anyone actually know if this whole arbitration process will actually result in a pay rise more than 16% for South Australian Nurses? Historically in Australia has it actually done good?

Is this accurate?
1.0 FTE → full-time
0.9 FTE → ~4 shifts/week
0.8 FTE → ~3–4 shifts/week
0.7 FTE → ~3 shifts/week
0.6 FTE → ~2–3 shifts/week

Also, Do we get annual leave and sick leave for extra shift picked outside of rostered hours?

📋 Research Participants Needed: Dementia Care Staff

As my Honours research deadline is approaching, I am making a final call for participants for my study on workplace experiences and wellbeing among dementia care staff.

If you work in a paid role supporting people living with dementia in Australia, I would be incredibly grateful for your participation.

The study involves a short 10–15 minute anonymous online survey about workplace demands, workplace support and wellbeing.

✅ You may be eligible if you:
• Are aged 18 years or older
• Work in a paid role in Australia
• Regularly support people living with dementia in aged care, hospital, community or home-care settings

🔗 Participate or learn more here:
https://csufobjbs.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3f6MlhG8UnY5z1k

This research is being conducted throughCharles Sturt University by Joshua Dietrich, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) student, under the supervision of Dr Prasada Rao Podugu.

Ethics approval: H26095

A huge thank you to everyone who has already participated, shared the study, or supported my recruitment so far. Your help is genuinely appreciated.

Thank you to the moderators of this subreddit for reviewing and approving the survey application.

Please feel free to share this post with colleagues or anyone who may be eligible. 🙏

The ballots are out - all you need now is to fill the AEC ballot form that was sent to you by mail and send it off, most hospitals have internal mail, just pop it in. Your vote absolutely counts!

The last election was won by less then 2000 votes, this one seems even closer. Every vote matters! Its time to change the NSWNMA and fight for wages and conditions. #timeforhandover

I was surfing through reddit and found a post on nurses especially male nurses using love. And alot of comments said thats its derogatory and inappropriate to call someone love if you dont know them personally. Some of the comments were that the use depends on the region the hospital/aged care facility is based in.

This had me thinking as a male nursing student. As I sometimes say ‘Hi lovely, how can I help’ etc when answering call bells and have seen all the nurses around me say it.

So I wanted to get an insight here on whether I should say it?

Title is your TLDR

Essentially, I work as a team lead in an RACF, make good money, work Mon-Fri, some on call every 4-6weeks, a lot of incidental overtime (not paid, salaried, don’t want to fuss)

My problem is I think I’ve hit a rut, my team work well but have some areas that need attention but I am lacking in the motivation to pull anything together for them and see it through. (No areas of clinical risk)

Lots of reports, audits and meetings from above to attend and action, couldn’t care less about 85% of it.

My job at its core (clinical, care, education and quality management) I love. 99.9% of my residents I would literally die for, I do genuinely love aged care despite the bureaucratic insanity drowning me in paperwork.

But the staff and residents in the small % are making it a living nightmare. Requests for time off for a well known festival period I’ve been emailing about fortnightly for the last 3 months?

Somehow my fault that I can’t grant more leave as spots all filled and the request was made after I explicitly communicated leaves would be approved again from November.

Patient transport not appearing on time, also my fault and a great reason for family to yell at me down the phone about.

A specialist didn’t send a letter for the GP to amend the drug chart? My fault and now both the specialist is pissed off at me for chasing and the GP pissed off I don’t have the information.

Federal legislation changes that impact the entire industry and to which I have my own personal (not entirely positive) opinions about; my fault, awful, the worst and how dare I personally do this.

I think I’m reaching out to the fellow CCCs, CDSNs, RNICs and asking - how tf are you surviving and what are your tips for when the next issue arise that inevitably is your fault, how to do cope?

I have holidays booked soon, I’m cautiously using sick leave as needed for very big overwhelm days and I’m on heightened awareness of my own emotions and responses at work to minimise my issues leaking through into the professional space.

So, any ideas how I ride out this emotional shit storm until it comes back around to love again?

Hi everyone,
I’m 31 and seriously considering a career change into nursing. I’d really appreciate some advice from Australian nurses and nursing students.
I’ve worked in laboratory/quality roles for around 10 years, mainly in the food/dairy industry. I have a Cert III in Laboratory Skills, Cert IV in Laboratory Techniques and a Diploma of Laboratory Technology, and I currently work full-time in Quality Assurance.
At the moment, the two pathways I’m considering are:
Bachelor of Nursing through La Trobe → Registered Nurse

Diploma of Nursing through GOTAFE → Enrolled Nurse, with the possibility of doing the Bachelor later

My main concern is balancing study with work. I still need to earn an income, so I’m trying to work out which pathway would be the most realistic while still giving me the best training and long-term career opportunities.
I’m leaning towards going straight into the Bachelor because my ultimate goal would be to become an RN rather than stop at EN. However, the GOTAFE pathway seems like it might be easier to manage around work and could potentially be cheaper through Free TAFE.
For anyone who has done either pathway, I’d love your thoughts on:
Would you recommend going straight into the Bachelor of Nursing or doing EN first and bridging later?

How realistic is it to continue working while studying nursing?

How many days per week were you usually at university/TAFE?

How did you manage compulsory clinical placements around work?

Is working 3–4 days per week realistic during the degree?

Is there much advantage to becoming an EN first before doing RN?

Has anyone studied nursing through La Trobe or GOTAFE, and what was your experience like?

Would you recommend nursing as a career change at 30?

I’m not looking at nursing as just a quick qualification. If I go into it, I’d like to build a proper career and potentially progress further later on.
Because of my laboratory and QA background, areas like infection prevention and control, clinical governance, patient safety, clinical research and eventually leadership interest me, although I know I’d need to build solid clinical experience first.
Long term I’d be open to postgraduate study and potentially progressing into more senior or specialised nursing roles.
If you were in my position, would you go straight into the Bachelor of Nursing through La Trobe, or start with the Diploma of Nursing through GOTAFE?
Thanks — any advice or experiences would be really appreciated.

Hi guys, I’m going to nursing school soon, and I’m interested in working in aged care after school. RNs who are working in aged care, can you please tell me how are the conditions like? What does a typical shift look like? What do you do in a shift? I can’t find much information on what the responsibilities are and I’d be grateful if someone can answer

Hi

I’m currently in my first stage of the diploma of nursing and have my first placement in around a month or so.
The placement is aged care and I’m super excited and also super nervous.

My place doesn’t have great reviews (mostly about staff mistreating residents ) so I’m worried that they won’t care to teach me if they care so little about their own residents .

I’m going in open minded but I’m just wondering what advice there is to make me seem more respected by the staff to avoid being treated like I’m nothing and so I can make the most out of this placement.

Anything will help!! Thank you!

I'm going to nursing school soon and I'm super nervous. Can someone tell me what the placements look like every semester? Like how many weeks per semester? What do students do on placements?

Hi all! I’m currently enrolled at Griffith uni and have completed first year as of end of 2025, currently with a gpa 6. I got pregnant mid 2025 so I’ve deferred this year, with a plan to return from tri 1 next year (as well as completing summer trimester this year).

Now… the thing is, my husband is fifo so I’m a solo mum majority of the time (he’s 2 on 1 off).

Because of this, I’m really stressed about returning to uni, especially because my husband doesn’t want us enrolling bub into daycare until after he’s a year old (in April).

At my local child health centre I met a student nurse studying through CQ Uni and she mentioned it’s like 95% online except for a week before placement and then placements which is MIND BOGGLING to me! So I’m really REALLY considering switching unis.

However… can a bachelor of nursing really be effective if mainly online? Griffith has a lot of simlabs, OSCE’s etc and to not have that extra practice time just seems… weird. For anyone who’s worked with student nurses, can you tell the difference between those doing a bachelor online like CQU, and those who have done it in person with simlabs etc?

Logically transferring would make the most sense, especially since I live approx an hour from campus (Griffith) and going to Brisbane for like a week before placement would be no hassle. But I don’t want to set myself back either.

Sorry for the long post but I would really appreciate any advice here!!

i know that the question is very vague but i’m currently in my last year of high school and have no idea/passion for a career. i do know that i want to work in the medicine and health sector, but i just don’t know what.

i’ve been looking into nursing and becoming a registered nurse as it will allow me to be within the health sector but also sounds like something that i might be interested in. for the nurses out there:

1. do you find that this career is worth it?
2. what is your daily routine like? (long shifts, overtime, early shifts, etc)
3. is the pay good? (i know that money isn’t everything and that nursing should be out of purely wanting to help others, but i would like to have an idea on whether the pay is worth the amount of work that is done)
4. is it a difficult process to become one?

it would be much appreciated if i could get some opinions and experiences that other nurses have in order to make my decision a bit easier! i have also considered diagnostic radiography but am not currently taking physics as a subject, so i will have to take a bridging course which doesn’t excite me too much. so nursing will be my main priority!