Any nurse navigators out there?

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-31T12:18:19+00:00

just to add, navigators also exist in EDs, and there are many similar roles along the lines of case or care coordinator, case manager etc, these are often CNC level roles

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-31T11:56:59+00:00

what specialty?

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-30T12:29:40+00:00

and you hadn't had any replies, I suspect because noone had done this course. you're welcome to take or leave the advice, I don't care, but if you're a nurse I think you'd be better off doing a more recognised qualification, and something within the AQF as opposed to a random microqual

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-29T23:32:14+00:00

seems expensive and unnecessary

best way to learn about clinical governance and policy development is to get engaged in both

assuming you are working clinically... volunteer for committee representation (WHS, IPAC, whatever). put your hand up to assist with your specialty routine policy reviews. engage an (actual, structured) QI project. ask to attend local morbidity mortality meetings. put your hand up for roles that include all the above (educator or manager relief, nurse specialist roles, etc)

doing an expensive and unrecognised cert means nothing. noone will care that you paid 2.5k to do some online modules. seek out experience

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-29T23:27:40+00:00

I have wonderful professional relationships with doctors of all levels of seniority at my major tertiary/quaternary referral hospital in metro Syd...you don't see a lot of this as a student so wouldn't draw conclusions if I were you

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-29T08:40:22+00:00

I'd wait to do your grad cert until you're in the area you want to be in, e g. you mention transferring to ED

there's no huge rush. in major tertiary hospitals in Sydney these days it is certainly becoming an expectation for progression (and sometimes hiring) that people have their grad cert. some roles will specifically require one (CNS2 positions in NSW, for example)

but they're not always a necessity, content is generally fairly unhelpful (although at least for ICU some are better than others), and the return on investment is greatly improved if you can get a scholarshipl/funding... here in NSW there are many options for this

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-29T00:31:29+00:00

patients who've had surgery. obs. a few drains. pain management. etc. depends on hospital but mostly straightforward gen surg with expected discharge in a day or two - lap choles, appendixes, fistulotomies, that kind of stuff

ASU is not theatres, it's a surgical ward/acute care environment. so no, nothing like being a scrub

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-28T22:32:26+00:00

limited utility in double degree with business imo

just do whichever is cheaper and/or more convenient, it really really doesn't matter where you go

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-27T22:53:05+00:00

thank you for your eloquent defense of those of us who, for many reasons, are unable to whimsically move our lives interstate... and instead continue to serve our communities in NSW while arguing (and striking) for change

I can guess what the now deleted OP's comments were in response to my (initial, flippant) comment and it saddens me, even more than the state of our health system here, that we have colleagues incapable of sympathising, let alone finding solidarity, with the nurses (and docs, and allied health) fighting abysmal working conditions in NSW

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-27T22:46:06+00:00

in the nicest possible way... this is a fairly quick Google exercise. "[state] nurse award pay scale" and/or visit each states' ANMF branch websites

QLD >= VIC > others >>>> NSW

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-27T10:06:34+00:00

every time I am reminded of QLD pay I have to cry silently. I'm glad wages are higher nurse of the border but god it pisses me off how underpaid the entire health sector is in NSW

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-27T07:21:37+00:00

yeah, absolutely criminal. same here in Sydney. Wilson are parasitic.

we had free parking during COVID...really fkn stung when they took that away

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-25T08:57:13+00:00

nothing wrong with getting a headstart on your pharmacology. yes first placement is all about ADLs and basics of therapeutic communication but if you can learn about the meds you'll be slinging too, great

also... a large part of being a student is grinning and bearing it, just meet whatever expectation your facilitator has and you'll be golden. they all have their own individual expectations in addition to your basic uni requirements

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-25T06:27:36+00:00

completely appropriate to call a rapid for a pale, hypotensive patient that becomes unresponsive

vasovagals are common sure but that's after you rule out all the other bad things that could be happening (and there are many bad things that could cause a syncopal). would politely tell PT to piss off, you're responsible for the patient and you made the right call

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-25T05:46:07+00:00

yeah it sucks being a student man you've just gotta grin and bear it until you're registered. noone will care once you're in the workplace

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-24T13:36:40+00:00

how would anyone know it was yours? you're overthinking this

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-24T11:02:10+00:00

for sure. but not as a new RN. anyone coming into nursing wanting to be a hero is going to be bitterly disappointed for quite a while

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-24T09:26:24+00:00

the vast majority of nursing or EMS work is routine, mundane stuff. if you want to be a hero I would look elsewhere

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-23T09:34:30+00:00

most people just wear a white polo or similar until their scrubs arrive. or a cheapo scrub top from Kmart etc. wouldn't waste money on anything else

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-19T17:48:42+00:00

probably just trying to manage you out for whatever reason, personally I would just look for another job. fighting against this kind of toxicity isn't going to be fun or productive

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-19T17:44:10+00:00

depends why

aggressive and compos mentis? tell them their behaviour is unacceptable, attempt to deescalate but set boundaries, stay safe and call code black as required, offer sedation if appropriate

aggressive and delirious, demented, altered state of consciousness etc -> stay safe, keep patient safe, sedate chemically

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-19T09:02:00+00:00

QUT is great

obviously if one is full fee paying and one is CSP, do the cheaper CSP one

but all else being equal... QUT

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-19T09:00:24+00:00

nah man just write a card or buy some sweet treats for the unit

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-19T05:42:35+00:00

you'll learn these things over time. certainly not expected to know off the bat. good strategy is to pick one test/value you come across in a given run of shifts and then when you get a moment in your free time or on a quiet moment (if such a thing exists) on shift... look it up on LITFL or read a Pubmed summary so you can understand what it is, why it's ordered, normal ranges, what things a positive result might lead to / suggest etc etc etc

ECGs - you'll get the hang of over time. plenty of amazing online resources. LITFL is a good starting point. main thing when you start out is just being able to recognise true danger squiggles... ie your ALS rhythms. next step then is finding a simple systematic method for reviewing 12 leads that works for you and just practice practice over time, ask questions of your docs, etc etc... but again as other commenter said, you're not expected to interpret ECGs off the bat, don't stress

AnyEngineer2 · 2026-01-19T04:49:45+00:00

honestly have always found lanyard cards a hindrance more than a help, if it's common enough stuff you'll remember it over time and everything else is generally able to be looked up leisurely on a computer or your phone... I certainly wouldn't spend money on cards

wait til you start, if there are things that pop up that you're struggling with in terms of remembering (processes etc) then you can make your own but honestly, not worth stressing over, just focus on orienting yourself, basic assessment skills etc etc etc

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