May 07, 2013, 07:54 am
Seraphim is correct on all accounts.
There are opportunities to work as AIN's and undergraduate AIN's in hospitals.
An undergraduate AIN is where a hospital has recognised that you are currently completing a nursing degree, usually you will be eligible to apply in your second year or completed second year depending on the hospital/area health service. HOW EVER THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE as like below some hospitals will except 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students.
Below are some examples of OLD advertisements , however this will at least give you an idea.
Sydney Children's Hospital Network
http://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au/ViewPosition.aspx?Id=108636
Western NSE Local Health District
http://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au/ViewPosition.aspx?id=2077
Concord Hospital
http://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au/ViewPosition.aspx?Id=81249
Odds are employers will look at your academic results and your clinical placement reports.
So don't be late for your clinical placements, be enthusiastic, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty, practice your newly learnt clinical skills and ask questions!
Regarding blood collection...
Not as an AIN in NSW.
To collect blood in NSW, you need to either have:
a) Certificate III/IV in Pathology Collection
b) Registered Nurse with inservice/short course to perform blood collection and hospital accreditation to work in a ward of need.
For example Haematology, Sexual Health – as the need to collect blood is all to frequent.
I do not know what the circumstances are for Enrolled Nurses/Endorsed Enrolled Nurses.
In Tasmania blood collection training is part of the Bachelor of Nursing degree down there and can take blood in their state.
Vaccinations...
If you are already working as a AIN or other health related field. Then your flu vaccination is free, as you are classed as a Health Care Worker.
Other than that you will have to pay for your vaccinations.
Work...
This was in 2009 -
Fewer new nurses find jobs in hospitals ONLY 1450 newly-qualified nurses have won jobs with NSW Health in its first round of offers this year - barely half the 2683 who applied and down 12 per cent on 2008 - in a development likely to force more of the highly trained graduates into the private sector. Julie Robotham HEALTH EDITOR http://www.smh.com.au
Yes we hear it all the time 'not enough nurses', that is true to a point. I would say 'not enough experienced nurses'.
Getting work as an AIN is a great start, as you will practice fundamental nursing care.
It does not matter if you are working in aged care, emergency, ICU or in an aeroplane as a flight nurse in the air force - fundamental nursing care is key to your practice and you can start as early as working as an AIN.
Plus when you are interviewed by the hospitals for your graduate year. They will ask you questions based on scenarios on what you would do as a nurse. As an AIN you would already have a head start.
But lets not kid ourselves, it is a jungle out there and it is as competitive as it can get.
For one unnamed hospital it could be 600 applicants for 100 positions easy.
Having a distinction average will not guarantee you a job, it is about selling your self to your employer. That I will leave to you.
