Is anyone here from Townsville?

JoJo Cairns offers two modes of delivery the Feb intake is flexible mode delivery and the July intake is 3 days a week on campus
Im doing the flexible mode and it involves attending campus for 2 weeks each semester, I have a mon - fri block on the 13th feb and then another weeks block on the 27th feb and the rest is done online and each semster you have to do a 2 week placement but that can be done anywhere doesnt have to be in cairns.

Thanx Minnie, i was just thinking that its closer for me to attend residential school, but i have come this far, so ill stick to the coast...
I just need that job to come along so i can save.
Mel, its all good just like you dont want people to think thats why im doing it...My brother was in hosptial for 4 months in 86 and i actually wanted to be a ward clerk, after watching them work..
But each time i entered a hospital that feeling engulfed me..I love watching the nurses at work and knowing and feeling that you are doing something worthy too help others is awesome..
Arrrhh just hurry up March.. If i was younger and could wait i would but at 41, i can't put it off any longer....

Hi Jojo
bet thats the fundamentals of nursing that is so huge ive read a couple of chapters but found it very boring so am going to wait until next week when i start the course before i read anymore of it and just concentrate on anatomy and physiology for now and reffreshing my math skills as im pretty sure we have a maths and englsh test to sit on orientation day. I had a job interview yesterday for some casual work at a nursing home and was offered a position as an ain so excited about that
Do you have to purcahse i stethoscope for your first semester, they seem very expensive and wondering if a cheapie from ebay will suffice for now

Hey Minnie, yeap thats the book and i also have another one on the way and that too is a 1600 page book, that is the essentials of law...
Im not sure if a have to purchase a stethoscope, nothing has been mentioned to me..and i might take your lead an read the anantomy and pyhsiology and brush up on maths...
We get a nursing kit too so im wondering what is in that?? any ideas??

Hello :)

At first I was a bit confused, as the TAFE course still offers the elective. But upon reading the "Explanatory note: Enrolled nurses and medicine administration" in another link it on the page you sent me it says only EN's who haven't done the recognised training ie "The approved units of study that are the essential requirements for administration of medicines in the HTP are: ‘Analyse health information’ (HLTAP501A) and ‘Administer and monitor medications in the work environment’ (HLTEN507A) will have that little note put on their file saying they can't administer medications.

This was to avoid confusion as "Several jurisdictions have training programs in administration of medicines that have enabled ENs to upgrade their skills. In some jurisdictions, a number of these programs have resulted in ENs having an endorsement on their licence. In other jurisdictions, the completion of such training programs has not resulted in an endorsement. Rather, the ability for an EN to extend their scope of practice and administer medicines has been an employment matter. Every EN who has undertaken a ‘non-approved’ program, will be recognised as able to administer medicines. As from 1 July 2010, only Board-approved programs will be recognised. The Board will consider programs recognised by Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council (ANMC) Ltd for approval."

So if you do the board-approved elective, you can still administer/monitor medications as an EN. It just means if you don't, you will have that 'note' on your information and it just means you may not be as employable as the next EN who has done their elective.

At first I thought it was one less thing to worry about (I think A& P is hard enough without adding the maths to my stress) but now that the choice is still up to me I think the extra challenge of doing my elective will improve my chances of being employed. Having said that looking at the maths needed it's not actually that hard, just like everything else - you have to understand and then memorise.

Whilst calculators are not permitted in the Charles Sturt Nursing entry exams (for example) (which is for English & Maths), in the nursing environment calculators are used and are encouraged and that everything is checked and double checked by other nurses anyhow so you're not totally to blame if a mistake is somehow made. (My nursing manager friend told me that) I'll have to call my TAFE and find out what their rules are for the exams if there are any entrance ones. But going by the prac exam from Charles Sturt I've looked at which shows the kinds of things you need to be able to do without a calculator it's actually quite easy, and that's coming from someone who was never confident with maths at school. I'm pretty sure that sample exam was for a Bachelor of Nursing too.

So we're still in the medication game if we want to be! It will be my least favourite part of the job...I would rather clean up vomit or a bedpan than stick a needle in someone :)

Hi Ladies!!

My name is Jacy and I am looking to start my journey on becoming a Nurse also. (Still deciding on whether to start with the Bachelor or the Diploma - I am leaning more towards the Diploma though so that I am able to work whilst continuing my studies to become a RN eventually) So far I am thinking of enrolling at GCIT (and undecided on full time or part time as yet... I would LOVE to be full time but it depends on my budget which I am yet to work out, for travel and accom on the gold coast etc) I think there is still time to apply for the March start so I better make my mind up soon haha.

I am SO so pleased I found this forum, like you I have wanted to be a nurse for years (I am 29 - 30 in July) and decided it's time to bite the bullet and start my studies. Reading the posts on this forum has really helped me weed through worries I might have about studying. I am currently living in Central QLD (south of Gladstone) so will be a bit of a trip to the Coast for the res school but I think will be worth it.

:)

Hi Jojo!! Lovely to meet you! Was the application process with GCIT fairly simple? I have been talking it over with family and am almost 100% certain that I am going to do my Diploma, like you it will be a lot easier than getting into CQU after bridging courses. I may call them up tomorrow and see if it is too late to apply for March, although the mid year intake would be probably more suited, and gives me a little more time to save! Haha.

Is anyone on this thread now studying the Endorsed Enrolled Nursing course? 

Well i am doing it on the internet through, the Gold coast institue of Rafe maybe you can, look at your choices that way at least you will still be house, and there is still time to sign-up if you want to provide it ago now. 

http://www.cariblue.com.au/

TaraLee are you starting nursing in July?

I am waiting for a list of text books I will need to get.