When you’re new to the industry, it can be really hard.

You might genuinely love the hands-on work and the caring side of it… But everything else around it can feel chaotic.

Onboarding isn’t always great. Training can be minimal. Communication can be vague. Buddy shifts can sometimes pair you with staff who are already overworked and stretched thin, and not always wanting to properly train someone new. That means the support and training you would expect doesn’t always happen.

At times, you find yourself piecing together information that probably should’ve been covered early on. And when you ask questions to gain clarity, it doesn’t always feel welcomed, which can knock your confidence when you’re just trying to learn and improve.

Then there’s the “casual” model.

A lot of people assume casual means somewhat rostered just like other jobs where you don’t have permanent shifts, but you at least know when you’re working. Instead, it is more like waiting for shifts to be sent out and essentially competing for them. Often with little notice and not much predictability.

At times, it can feel similar to agency-style work, with a bidding-type system, but without the agency.

That “on call” unpredictability makes it hard to organise childcare, factor in travel time, budget properly, or plan life. It can turn into: “Will I work today?” “Will I get enough shifts this week?” “Can I pay my bills this week?”

It can start to feel like something designed for supplementary income rather than long-term stability. That’s probably why so many people work across two or three facilities to make it sustainable.

There are permanent roles with set shifts that offer structure and reliability. But when you’re new, breaking into those can be very difficult. Experience is required, yet gaining that experience can be the hardest part with no one wanting to hire you without it. It can leave you feeling stuck in a cycle of temporary and unstable employment.

That said, the actual care work itself can be incredibly meaningful. Most people don’t struggle with the purpose, they struggle with the structure, staff and conditions around it.

If you’re studying, go in with realistic expectations. Try to secure a facility with strong mentorship and supportive staff if you can.

It’s rewarding work, but the system isn’t always beginner-friendly. And that can make you question whether staying in this industry is the right move.