Great Site..!!

Hi anga23,

After years of doing office work, wanted a complete change in career. Like you, I totally exhausted my poor old computer in researching about how to get into aged care, and of course the best way was to to volunteer work, which included going on outings and assisting with feeds. After more research decided to do Cert111 in Aged Care at southbank TAFE, to become an assistant in nursing. I have now been this for 3 years.(ain't easy on the old muscles and bod). Then, after lots of umming and umming etc etc, I have bitten the bullet and put my name down to do Diploma of Nursing Care at Southbank. I am on a waiting list because I will have to do it part-time. Don't know when I will be accepted to do course. They have intake in July and february of each year, so if I don't hear anything soon, I will assume that I will wait till next year. When I finish EEN don't know whether I will stay in aged care. Been thinking about palliative care, or maybe turning into a vampire and taking blood.

Good luck in whatever direction you take.

Rotator Cuff.

Hi Guys,

Keeshy: By the looks of things you'll achieve your goals. The posts you put up are full of enthusiasm, you know what you want and go for it.. great to see.

Rotator Cuff: I'd read that you were taking the next steps. Good luck with getting in. When do you think you'll find out ? I understand it's a popular course. I've got my name down already for next year's Dip. course at metro south institute of tafe..just in case.. I've got to do the first aid course as it's been 10 yrs since I did the course. It's been really hard trying to find volunteer work since I work full-time. Visiting with a hospital on Monday just to check it out and have an interview with Mater hospital in a couple of weeks for their volunteer program. The major Brissy hospitals dont seem to have much available out of business hours Monday to Friday. Shame really.

Thanks Anga!!! I sure have worked hard to get to where I am today. This time last year I dont think I would have been in this position, so its good to reflect and see how far I have come, and keep that fire burning.

Good luck with the volunteer stuff. RC sounds like she has some great ideas. Have you thought about a traineeship? I think thats what RC is talking about (correct me if I am wrong rc). That way you work a few shifts a week and study 1 or 2 days a week. You get paid to study and they pay your tuition. Might be worth looking into as well.

RC - Its strange the TAFE hasnt even sent you a letter of acknowledgement of your application or anything (or have they?). I had applied to several TAFE's but the one I really wanted was RMIT. I hadnt heard from them and it was getting to crunch time and I needed to make a choice, and so I called them and just asked outright what was happening. They apologised for the confusion and were surprised that I hadnt received my letter but I had in fact been accepted and I had to come and enrol. So maybe thats an idea. Giving them a direct call?? Cant hurt!

Hi Keeshy,

My name is on a waiting list, have not filled out application form might have to ask whether i need to or not, but thinking that if i was accepted they would have sent one out in an enrolment pack will have to be a pest and phone them. Thanks for saying i have some great ideas, think you are right about the getting paid while study thingy. let you know how i go.

Darren, carex sound good. I am interested in the workshop talk about dealing with demanding, self-centered, time consuming etc etc etc residents with no dementia. they just think that the world revolves around them and just all me me me, stuff anybody else! I just prioritse my workload and if they have had their "15-20min of fame and fortune" {might not be that long) they just have to wait. sometimes when we have a resident final stages of life, needing that extra time and precious care, i actually have to say to other residents that someone is dying and that is why staff did not come as soon as you buzz. anywho may see you there.

RC

Hi keeshy, apology accepted, we are all allowed to have a brain slip occassionaly[think i just had one don't think that word is spelt right]. have booked to go to expo may go both days.

hey guys and girls, if anybody is interested in coronial enquiries regarding deaths in hospitals. nursing homes etc. find your way around this www.vifm.org/communique.html interesting articles.........makes you sit up and think! Recently read about choking deaths in nursing homes........... its not just a matter of spooning food into residents/patients mouths, there are a lot of things to be on the look out for when feeding. I do dining room duties at work[without my frenchmaid outfit) and twice have had to assist a resident who was choking.

RC

Hi anga23,

I have an email address that will get me right to the hub of this TAFE business, so see how I go. Yeh ha ha ha I am getting a bit long in the tooth too, cant focus with my glasses on so I have taken them off. can see better without them, just your typical over the hill eye problems. About carex expo, just thought there might be some more options, but sometimes I think the more options there are the more brain overload you get. Think it will be interesting anyway. Cant decide whether to drive in, get train or bus. If I get train will have to get off at Bowen Hills,but cant picture how far away station is from rna grounds. Either walk will do me good or I will get lost(prefer first optiion).

Cheers RC

PS go to www.totalagedservices.com.au and click on carex. I have already registered.

I've just had a look at Carex. Unfortunately I can't make it.. gotta work. Let me know if anyone that goes learns anything they can share.

Hello anga23 ! Just wondering if you still looking for volunteer work in Brisbane?

Hey,

You were curious to know what I did before starting my course? Well a SAHM (stay at home Mum). I had my second bubba in Jan 2006 and made my decision a few months after her birth that nursing was what I wanted to do.

I have had part time work on and off but nothing meaningful. Another reason why I wanted an education and a qualification. I wanted something that was meaningul, that made me happy and something I knew I had worked hard for.

Make sense?

Anyway thats basically it hehe.

Good luck for your Mater interview!!!