City vs Rural GNP ?

Hi Matty, I think it depends on you, where you see yourself in say 5 years time. Do you want a generalist position that give you grounded skills in general nursing? do you see your self  in the ED, ICU or psych? I suggest you go to as many info nights as possible and meet the people who run the programs. Your enjoyment of the program will probably have more to do with the support you receive than where it is. The issues you face in country Vs city are very different. 

Try to meet as many people who have been in a particular program and see how they feel.

hope this helps, wish I had the opportunity of a graduate program when I trained.

sass

Thanks Sass & Morgan,

Where I see myself in five years time?  At a little oasis miles from cities and stress, perhaps bandaging the odd sore toe now and then, in between siestas and cooling cocktails !   Relaxed and happy with life . . . away from kids  . . .

Oops - wake up matty!   Well I do like morgan's mention of home in five minutes, my last ED placement in the country was like that :-)  The five year time thing was asked by one of my lecturers who seemed quite keen that I should be running a ward at least by then, if not a whole hospital! My only thought was I want to pass the exams, hand in the essays and get a job ;-/

But I will probably have to stay where I am in outer suburbia, and am a little torn between a small nearby country town hospital (like something out of Country Practice) and a growing major city one also nearby but the other way (with a pace more like All Saints).  I thrive on stress and busyness, but also love the way one gets to do more personal nursing in a less busy country setting where more varied skills may be needed. 

Moving is probably not an option.  I'm a single dad of three, shifting schools and finding family day care as good as I have now would be impossible/a miracle.  If I moved I would probably also have the hassle of more family court issues over access - even though the mother was the one who abused the older kids, family court is still a bit old fashioned in having trouble coming to grips with the concept of an abusive mum rather than father. Bang goes my peaceful oasis :-(

I don't like the current GNP system in SA. It mainly seems unfair because the people at the hospitals are actually telling us to accept anything and then decide which to knock back. Which leads to everyone applying for lots of places and many thinking they have missed out.  Loving, caring profession ... cutthroat edge :-/   Makes me feel mean for taking a week or two to decide over two.  Is one of my friends missing out?

Sorry for rambling.  I've visited the people at both city and country places.  I like them all, and their programs. I just wondered if anyone had any GNP success stories or warnings from personal experience.   Ultimately I want to move to country, but may need to wait until the kids are older. But I'd like to keep my finger in the country pie!

Cheers,

Matty

hi there

not all rural nurses live within 5 minutes of work. i drive 25km (ie 20 minutes) to work, and then if i am called in after my early i do another 50 km round trip. child care is also a huge issue in the country and child care for a shift worker?????? it is also not just sitting around bandaging toes and having a quiet life. many rural nurses deal with every specialty going in every shift...sure we have quiet periods but these are far out weighed by the shifts when you don't get off until 0030 and you are back on at 0700. there is no other ward to call staff from and with the shortage of staff very few extras or casuals to call on. while i love my rural nursing and enjoy using all the skills i have been taught it is not what you are descibing as a quiet life.

the life style is also quite hectic with driving kids to sport, school etc and then getting to your own pursuits. nothing is just round the corner and grocery shopping is at least a half day event in your regional centre some 25km away. while i love living out here you need to have a realistic perspective before you contemplate your move. we need more rural nurses but we need them to stay not to breeze in and decide it is not the paradise they thought and then leave having had precious budget money spent on orientation and updates to provide them with the skills required. i have seen this happen too often.

take your time and be aware of what rural nursing and life really is like.

if you decide it is for you we would love some fresh faces with new ideas!!