nursing jobs drying up?

**mr luvpants** · 10-05-2009, 03:21 PM

I have heard rumours from different forums that Nursing jobs in oz are beginning to dry up. Is this true? We are looking to go to Queensland.

JOHN

**yindavies** · 10-05-2009, 05:46 PM

I had a job offer in February in Perth, been sitting on the fence and now the job is not available. Have been told all goverment hospitals in Perth are not recruiting at present and will not be re-evaluating staffing unitl July. Am now considering private nursing hospitals but not sure if they are as secure as goverment.

**kdal** · 10-05-2009, 10:51 PM

Hi John

If I were you I would take a look in the local newspaper to where you are heading and look on the career page. For instance if you are coming to the Sunshine Coast then look on the 'Sunshine Coast Daily' internet page , if you look each week you will see if there are less and less jobs over the coming months, another good webiste would be Seek.com.

Wishing you and Lisa lots of luck

**Hannah** · 10-05-2009, 11:03 PM

Hi John & Lisa,
Hope you are both well??
Im not too sure about the nursing job situation but things have generally slowed down a bit here in Perth. Its nowhere near as bad as it was in the UK but evn so it is def slowing down.
The number of job ads in the local paper seems to be getting less and less each week..
Keep in touch

Speak soon
Steve & Hannah

**ali** · 10-05-2009, 11:13 PM

I know that in south Metro (perth) they have still been actively recruiting MH nurses. however, this is a big drive to save 3%. Where I work that has meant offerring casual based staff who usually fill shifts via agency short term contracts for 3 months rather than pay agency fees. WA still needed about 600 nurses, however I would assume that a reasonable proportion of those may be 'country' positions. Due to the present economic climate, it's probably (and this is only a guess), that the positions are there but that health authorities are saving the pennies by not paying out the rellocation packages.

Ali

JoanneHattersley · 11-05-2009, 12:35 AM

We are still recruiting in Brizzy in the private sector. I work for a nursing home/retirement village.

**SSC** · 11-05-2009, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by mr luvpants

I have heard rumours from different forums that Nursing jobs in oz are beginning to dry up. Is this true? We are looking to go to Queensland.

JOHN

It depends what type of nursing. We are desperate for cardiac and theatre nurses in North Queensland and Aged Care RNs throughout Australia.

I was talking to a colleague at one of the large public hospitals who told me that normally the Australian trained RNs who usually go overseas for a couple of years haven't gone and have delayed their trips - so they don't have the vacancies that they would normally experience.

"Regional" areas are also still experiencing nursing shortages. This doesn't mean being in the outback. Areas such as Ipswich which is commutable from the Gold Coast and for example Bunbury and Bussellton in WA are also experiencing shortages.

In Queensland try the Ramsey Group and the Mater in Brisbane are really short of paediatric nurses. The Mater also offer a small relocation package.

South Australia is extremely short of nurses as is Tasmania (we have lots of vacancies in Tasmania).

Many RNs do not want to work in Aged Care but there is going to be 70% growth in this sector.

I would not worry about finding a position. If you're coming to Queensland remember nothing happens quickly here. Queensland Health take ages to respond.

Midwives are like gold dust and if you're coming on PR you can always try general practice nursing for a while in order to gain Australian work experience.

Agency nurses are also in short supply.

If you're coming to Queensland - don't worry about not finding a position. The most difficult decision you may have to make is which position to accept.

**MOLLOYS5** · 11-05-2009, 02:10 AM

I just spoke to the NUM (manager) Of ed and she said they only do 8 hr shifts(how backward)!! could only promise one a week!!!! The problem with nursing in QLD esp Sunshine coast can't speak for Brisbane is they only offer you casual work, we are rethinking our move as we have ft work in Sydney 12 hr shifts. x Bridget

**SSC** · 11-05-2009, 02:53 AM

Originally Posted by MOLLOYS5

I just spoke to the NUM (manager) Of ed and she said they only do 8 hr shifts(how backward)!! could only promise one a week!!!! The problem with nursing in QLD esp Sunshine coast can't speak for Brisbane is they only offer you casual work, we are rethinking our move as we have ft work in Sydney 12 hr shifts. x Bridget

Have you tried the new private hospital that has recently opened? We have positions in the Sunshine Coast that we have been trying to fill for ages. I expect it's because they are in Aged Care.

I think it's a matter of signing on with the right agency. I can give you some names if you'd like to send me a PM where they can offer regular work. One offers paid personal leave as an incentive to use their agency.

Most hospitals and private care homes avoid using agency nurses. An RN on a Saturday night is charged out at over $120 per hour - this is why it can be hard to find work in certain areas unless the agency has a preferred supplier agreement. Everyone is looking to keep costs down at the moment so many have set up their own "bank" of nurses.

The Sunshine Coast has a smaller population and it's a really desirable place to live - so they don't have as much difficulty recruiting in that location.

Are you only looking for casual work within a certain speciality?

Unfortunately flexible working practices and innovative shift patterns have not arrived in Queensland yet........

**MOLLOYS5** · 11-05-2009, 03:08 AM

My OH has 20 plus years exp in ED and ICU, we would prefer FT status but have been told that is hard to come by, he prefers working in a big hospital as he is working towards his NP and needs the variety of pt's that you get in and acute care facility. Thanks for your reply! x Bridget