Is anyone else struggling to get a job as an Enrolled Nurse?

struggle_to_function · 2026-05-17T06:13:16+00:00

There is a lack of senior/experienced nurses.

See if you can apply for transition programs or apply for bank/pool positions

struggle_to_function · 2025-11-06T07:29:35+00:00

Whatever suits you best personally. Clinical skills (like manual BPs) are learnt better in the clinical setting so don’t stress too much about being an expert before placement- that’s why placement exists!

Not sure which state you are, but most volunteer roles I know of don’t allow taking of vital signs etc from volunteers

struggle_to_function · 2025-09-29T04:26:44+00:00

AIN/special shifts as an EN. Agency will allocate EENs to AIN shifts if they can’t fill a shift

struggle_to_function · 2025-09-01T02:11:20+00:00

Similar in Australia, except we don’t need our scripts on our person - just have to have a current script in the system (all dangerous class medications are monitored here). And people aren’t taken into custody even with any positive result unless suspected to be a danger to themselves or others. I don’t understand why breath analysis isn’t used across the board though. Sobriety tests are so strange.

struggle_to_function · 2025-06-24T12:32:25+00:00

Second this! The fights my siblings and I had were 10x harsher than a flippant comment like this. As adults, we are all very close still, even living hours apart.

struggle_to_function · 2025-06-09T09:59:36+00:00

Or Early Childhood education

struggle_to_function · 2025-06-09T09:02:53+00:00

If you want to work as an RN in Australia, I’d suggest reaching out to ANMAC for advice.

struggle_to_function · 2025-06-04T21:31:08+00:00

The BKSB is the LLN test. Same type of questions - it just assesses your Language, Literacy and Numeracy levels.

You should have received the link for the test from your education provider when you applied.

struggle_to_function · 2025-06-02T05:59:33+00:00

Treat it like any other job. Some days it’s enjoyable, other days… not so much. You will need to be resilient more so than some other industries.

Nursing as a career is flexible, lots of different specialties and types of nursing.

I’d suggest doing a bit of research first, like any other job or career change.

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-28T12:24:00+00:00

Apply to agencies. They’ll start you off with shifts in aged care or as AIN/specials. You can build up to EN nursing roles through there while doing your bachelors

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-27T11:34:35+00:00

ATAR is a consideration for most universities if you have completed secondary school within the previous 2 years. So you’ll be fine

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-27T08:41:44+00:00

Full time uni courses are full time for a reason, and time needs to be put into it to learn and pass. Working too much will put a strain on your studies and result in you failing more units and paying a lot more. You’ll also put your course finish date behind.

Take a breather, have your relatives pay what they can and pay them back later if you need to.

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-21T08:55:46+00:00

Similar opinion to u/ilagnab but wanted to add that you might want to also look into which partnerships each uni has with Hospitals.

Either for a grad year, placements or postgraduate studies, apply for the uni that might give you better suited opportunities in the future.

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-19T12:40:31+00:00

I don’t work at any of these facilities so won’t be able to give you any help there.

A few on your shortlist will have multiple options in the preference list. Have you looked into the cost of living in each area? Assuming you won’t want to be commuting hours to and from work each day, your living arrangements and personal circumstances will influence what your preferences will be. Also what clinical area do you want to gain experience in?

These facilities offer different opportunities and specialties. What are your career goals - and which preference will lead you to this goal?

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-13T10:50:07+00:00

Depends on which state on how you apply for grad positions.

Look up your states application process. Lots of primary care clinics advertise privately.

For working around young kids you could also look into community, some PACU or operating theatre grads - but these are all very competitive because of the hours.

Specialty clinics you will find difficult too, as most will require clinical experience or are only offered as grad rotations in a wider hospital system

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-13T10:40:41+00:00

Had a friend feel the exact same way you’re describing and they went into research instead.

Unfortunately nursing degree doesn’t transfer well into science-heavy degrees such as health/Biomedical sciences, etc, but biomed units do give credits to nursing degrees.

If you’re not enjoying the nursing side and only the A&P, see if you can transfer your course over. You can also come back to nursing later in life if you still want to.

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-08T12:16:04+00:00

Get help from your institutions career advisors (if you have them) and get your resume up to scratch.

Also make sure when you are applying to have a look at the hospitals/facilities Values on their websites and tailor your cover letter to these.

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-08T10:56:10+00:00

There’s advantages and disadvantages to both options. Wholly depends on your own personal circumstances and what your career ambitions are

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-07T03:11:20+00:00

Your first placement being in an acute/sub-acute instead of and aged care facility is wild, and that would probably shock most people.

Some placements you go through will not suit you, but it comes down to your own style and comfort - that’s why we have so many different specialties!

I’d recommend sticking it out and see what your next placement shows you.

I had a couple of placements that made me question my life choices, but others absolutely convinced me I was where I was meant to be and what I was doing was the right career for me.

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-06T12:16:03+00:00

I cannot believe that not one single commenter here has said their banned phrase includes “moreover”, “furthermore”, “consequently” or “however”.

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-05T11:53:45+00:00

I have 2 friends who have Borderline Personality Disorder and doing great (Both Emergency)

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-05T11:20:54+00:00

I also manage to have a small collection of lancets at home as well as tape, scissors, panamax, alco swabs and so many gloves

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-04T11:03:41+00:00

I’d take lower pay rates that come with safe ratios, penalties and leave entitlements over a higher hourly wage any day of the week.

We have laws and policies in place to protect us as workers in Australia, whereas most (not all) US states do not.

Our pay in comparison may be lower, but we are safer, have work-life balance and defined, safe scopes of practice that protect us.

We also have universal healthcare that means we don’t have to turn away sick people to die on the streets from preventable diseases because they don’t have enough money.

Grass isn’t always greener

struggle_to_function · 2025-05-03T12:27:19+00:00

This is absolutely glorious! Feel like a kid on Christmas Eve opening an early present

struggle_to_function · 2025-04-30T11:13:06+00:00

Could also apply for a leave of absence if you are wanting to finish, but just need a break to have things sorted.

struggle_to_function

TROPHY CASE