Nursing issues


mini-panel
Username: Password:

Forgot your password?

UK qualified EN saying hello

« 
Previous topic
|
Enrolled Nursing
|
Next topic
 »

You need to be logged in to get access to the forums. You can do so here

Author UK qualified EN saying hello

geordie mandy

  • Joined: Jun 2008
  • Location:
  • Posts: 2

Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:06 pm

Hi there, ive been qualified as an EN for 18 years. Unfortunatly the UK no longer employ us so i have been out of work for 5 years. However im hoping to emigrate to Australia with my husband and 3 boy next year.

My husband is going to be joining the ADF and we hope to move to Albury. Im just getting my application together to apply to the nursing board in NSW. but if im not successful would be prepared to re do the EN course.

When i did my training i did 2 years but no medication course. i wondered what working on the wards is like for EN's as i want to ensure im fully aware of the changes between the different styles of nursing.

I am currently studying through the Open University (distance learning ) and so far i have gained a Diploma in Health and social Welfare and next year i will finish my BSc in health and Social Care.

So any advice you can give me would be great.

Mandy

zippy

  • Joined: Jun 2008
  • Location:
  • Posts: 4

Jun 10, 2008, 11:36 pm

Hi Mandy, I am a Tasmanian EN and I still get confused as to the differing scope of practice for Australian EN's. An EN from the state you intend to work in could offer the best advice but I thought I'd say HI anyways as a fellow pom.

Just a thought, some Universities in Australia offers a fast track RN Qualification (you get no summer breaks) which qualifies you in 2 years as a fully fledged registered nurse. Maybe that would be an option for you as it would be a recognised qualification in the UK should you choose to return? It also offers more freedom to move around in Australia. Not an easy option with a 3 year old but maybe a possibility?

I work on a surgical ward in a public hospital. We do all medications except IV medications, and there are some odd rules about who unlocks the dangerous drugs cupboard and carries the narcotics and keys! The whole ''direct and indirect supervision by an RN'' thing is at best slightly murky! On my ward EN's work side by side with RN's but this is not always the case. The UK's ''Green coat/ blue coat'' division certainly exists here but is you know your stuff I think it is less so. Scope of practice can vary with your place of work and state legislation. For example I can remove a wound drain but not a IV canulla! I can take bloods but not check that a unit of packed cells to be infused is the correct unit.

An IV package is being introduced for EN's in the near future in Tasmania (there has been talk of this for a long time though)...The EN course in Tasmania is currently being changed from a certificate IV to a diploma course and I am not fully sure of how this all works, like many of my colleagues.

As I understand it in my state EN's have greater responsibility in an Aged Care setting. As our scope permits us to care for stable patients only this can be a grey area in the acute setting. Having said that EN's have recently been employed in our DEM and EN numbers are set to increase hospital wide.

Hope that helps a little, best of luck with your move!

geordie mandy

  • Joined: Jun 2008
  • Location:
  • Posts: 2

Jun 11, 2008, 03:12 am Last edited Jun 11, 2008, 03:12 am update #1

Thanks Zippy for the welcome and the information, i made a slight typing error though, i have 3 boys not a boy a 3(oops). They are hard work especially as ive been completing a degree through out their child hood so far.

After i did my training we were assessed to give the drugs out on the drugs round apart from IV's and controlled drugs. so i think i would need to do the medications course to ensure it doesn't affect my ability to do my job.

At my last job i was a night sister with total charge of the nursing home on weekend nights. I did everything, drugs, even the controlled drugs. However i was never happy doing it with out the back up of a fellow nurse. The care assistants we had only had minimal training.

I have been thinking about the various courses on offer and im certainly not afraid of hard work or more studying.

Its interesting that each state seems to have different ideas about the role on the EN. From research i understand they are bringing a state wide course so that all En's will have the same training and role at the end. I shall watch this with interest.

I must confess Tasmania has appealed to as friends of my parents moved there when i was a child and having seen photos i was very impressed. I am sure one day i will come and visit the area my self.

I look forward to hearing the views of other EN's from other states

Mandy

You need to be logged in to get access to the forums. You can do so here