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-alli-
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Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:10 pm
Hi guys & gals. Im studying my div 2 and im just wondering... because im currently working in retail.. is there a point during the div 2 course that u can apply for a job as a pca?? I've heard they do this for div 1 nurses , that they get recognition during their course and can go out and work as a PCA while they study. I just feel if i can pick up some PCA work while studying my div 2 it will be an advantage down the track once ive completed my div 2.
Any info would be greatly appreciated!! :D
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Nurse_Rach
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Oct 21, 2008, 12:21 pm
Hi Alli, I"m studying my division 1 course and currently work as a PCA. In the div 1 course, you can work as a PCA after completing your first year. However, you may want to look at doing home and community care, i know alot of places don't always require a qualification or experience for this as full training is often provided. Good luck with it!
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-alli-
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Oct 21, 2008, 04:57 pm
thanks rach for your reply. Where abouts r u doing your div 1?? How are you finding it??
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Nurse_Rach
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Oct 22, 2008, 03:42 pm
I'm currently doing my Div 1 course at Deakin Uni in Melbourne. Where are you doing your Div 2 course? I'm really enjoying it, deakin is a great uni and doing nursing is my dream. Am happy to answer any other questions you may have. Rach :-)
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-alli-
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Oct 22, 2008, 07:33 pm
Hey, I'm doing it through Health train. The div 2 course im doing is run from the education center at The Kingston Center in cheltenham or heatherton.. not sure what suburb its classified lol. I'm doing it part time so it's gonna take me 2 years. But i'm more than likely gonna go on to do my div 1 afterwards. I'm having a blast so far... cant wait to get out on placement next year. I've heard deakin and monash are both pretty good. I live down in bentleigh so my closest deakin would be burwood. Still a long time off though as i only started my div 2 course in august. This forum thing is awesome. It's nice to be able to come on for advice and chat with people studying the same thing.
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damiang
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- Joined: Oct 2008
- Location: melbourne
- Posts: 6
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Oct 26, 2008, 05:40 pm
hi im awaiting my results from vetasses - where is best place to enrol for Div 2 Nursing ??
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-alli-
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Oct 27, 2008, 08:07 am
Hey Damian, Well there are plenty of places you can do your div 2. Depends what is convenient i guess. I'm studying with Health Train I'm really enjoying it, the teachers are really supportive and its only 10 minutes from home. Where abouts in melbourne are you??Are you wanting to do it full time or part time?? I know a girl that did her div 2 at holmesglen and loved it, I've also heard good things about Chisholm.. What you've gotta realise is that there are very few spots in the course. When i applied i think over 200 people applied and they only had like 35 spots.
Oh and while i'm here Rach- I asked one of my teachers about becoming a PCA to get work exp.. She said pretty much after our 2nd placement we should be right to go work as PCA's which is about 12 months into our course.
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Nurse_Rach
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Oct 27, 2008, 03:12 pm
Hi Alli, I'm studying at Deakin in Burwood, it's a good campus, i'm really enjoying it there so far. I'm pleased you were able to find out some information regarding when you can work as a PCA, that's useful to know for you! If you ever want to talk to me more regarding this stuff, if you use MSN, feel free to add me to your contacts, the email i use for MSN is aussie_flute01@hotmail.com (a very old address!). I've never heard of Health training, although, seeing it's in Cheltenham area, i may have seen it before, i used to work in Cheltenham. I agree this Nurse forum is very useful, always nice to meet like minded people! Oh and whilst i'm on here, in response to Damians question - every place that offers the Div 2 will have it's pro's and cons. ,I'd recommend applying for as many as you can and see what happens. I remember when i first started applying to do nursing, i also applied for the Div 2 course, and as i understand, it can be hard to get into sometimes. Good luck with it!
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anga23
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- Posts: 41
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Oct 30, 2008, 07:49 pm
Hi Guys. I started my QLD EEN (Div2?) course at the beginning of the year. When I started researching work as an AIN I kept hearing - after 1st year or 2nd placement. I volunteered at one of the major acute hospitals here in Brisbane and started working for them as an AIN in March, so about 3 weeks after I started my nursing studies. I work in paediatrics A&E & on the med/surg/babies wards. I find it's all about who you know, not what you know. For agency work they say 2 placements, but that doesn't stop a lot of people who haven't worked as PCAs/AINs getting agency shifts. Research and persistance. Who do you know that could help you get into the job you want ? I've found working at the hospital has really helped my studies. Things make more sense. You're in contact with patients and have the opportunity to observe, or assist with procedures.
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deancey
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- Joined: Aug 2008
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- Posts: 61
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Dec 09, 2008, 09:10 pm
Sorry if i am a bit naive but whats an A&E? I start my Div 2 course in feb and want to start working in health environment as soon as I am able. Any advise would be good.
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Steph88
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Dec 10, 2008, 05:52 pm
Hi Deancey, A & E stands for accident and emergencey, ie. casualty or ED. Good luck with your ED course. From what I have heard you need a cert III to work in aged care in victoria... I could be wrong though. I know that I was able to work in aged care without any formal qualifications in canberra... strange how it varies from state to state. Good luck with your Div 2 course :) Steph
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SilverLining
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- Joined: Oct 2007
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 34
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Jan 01, 2009, 07:49 pm
Hey Deancy and Alli, I'm studying Div 2 nursing, and I got a job as a PCA at the facility where I did my first nursing placement. They offered me work at the end of my time there. I didn't find it a problem not having the Cert III in Aged Care, since the div 2 course will cover what you need anyway. As I understand it, most places prefer you've at least done 2 placements, if say you're just applying in response to an ad. However, it's not a rule. We had reps from a nursing agency come to TAFE to recruit PCAs from the student div 2's, and they were asking that we completed 1 placement before applying. Can't say that the idea of PCA agency work grabs me without experience, though. I found steady PCA work challenging enough. Not having the Cert III means that you'll be paid less in Aged Care facilities here in Vic than if you had the Cert, you'll be paid as a PCA level 1. However, I learned so much during the time I worked there, I would definitely say give it a go. Since the div 2 course only gives you 8 wks of placement, and you're not ever working completely autonomously during those times, PCA work gives you the chance to get more used to the basics of nursing care. I found that really valuable, as well as the chance to work on time management skills we'll need out in the nursing field, which they really can't cover too much in the short placements. Best of luck combining work and study! (And Happy New Year to you all!)
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