[cattyrae]

i have just put in an application to do agecare while i study. This is my first year.
The agency said that i would be on call and i would not get much notice. Not sure how i will go with that.

Anyway, i already work nights at coles. I dont know if i should give that up and just hope i get enough nursing work or stick if it for awhile.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[JuliaGulia]

I have worked in aged care and would hate to do it through an agency. The work is very hard when you don't know the residents and routines, plus you could be sent anywhere.

I would recommend going directly to a couple of aged care residences and trying to organise work through one of those. It is quite likely you will do a placement in first year in aged care, and they might be keen to hire you after that.

I would not be giving up your current job, because the work may not come quickly.

[wesse]

Have you tried looking at your local hospital?
The hospital I work at employs AIN's for IPS (watching scheduled patients) and on the rehab and aged care wards.
As pp said, agency work in aged care is a tough gig.

[KylieMin0gue]

I have worked in aged care and would hate to do it through an agency. The work is very hard when you don't know the residents and routines, plus you could be sent anywhere.

I would recommend going directly to a couple of aged care residences and trying to organise work through one of those. It is quite likely you will do a placement in first year in aged care, and they might be keen to hire you after that.

I would not be giving up your current job, because the work may not come quickly.

Yes agree with this. I did agency work in aged care for 2 years, and whilst I loved the work, the way I was treated at some of the facilities I went to by the other staff until I had been there a few times was atrocious.
I am currently studying nursing fulltime, but work casually for one nursing home, and I do 3 - 4 shifts a fortnight. I have 3 permanent shifts, and can pick up extra shifts as needed or if my study load lessens. I much prefer this than agency.
Also an agency will not put you on their books until you have experience. The agency I work for requested cert 3 aged care and 6 months on the job experience. You are probably better waiting until you have done your aged care placement, and then seeing if you can get a casual position out of that.

This post has been edited by KylieMin0gue: 08/02/2013, 03:58 PM

[Exhaustedbuthapp...]

Has anyone tried work as a Personal care assistant or Mental Health Support Worker whilst studying, or do you need experience for that too?

thanks

[JuliaGulia]

Yes, I worked as a PCA. Once you have done the first year of nursing, you have done more than enough study to cover the aged care qual. It was very good experience for nursing.

[cattyrae]

thanks everyone. i was speaking to a friend today and the are opening a new rehab section at our local hospital and are wanting AIN's. this will happen mid year so i will be more ready i think.
i dont think doing the agency stuff will be very good for me as i have the 5 kids and studying. i just dont think it will fit in.

so after i do my placement i will try getting some work then

thanks again to the replies

[ParadiseAlly]

I'm studying nursing and work part time and have two kids. Ds is 9 and DD is 17 months.

Work has been good I got my school timetable for the year and I just made them a copy. No more questions of when are you at school etc. could be something you could do!?

[antsy]

I am also studying nursing and had no idea we could work in aged care or as PCA's. Is that true in all states? I am in Melbourne.

Also, where can I find AIN jobs?

[JuliaGulia]

TooManyToys - I am in Melbourne. I know many recent graduates who worked in Aged Care during their degree. We don't really have AINs in Victoria (I think mostly Qld), but you can certainly work as a PCA. Hospitals do not employ PCAs, but you might be able to get work as a PSA (more cleaning, food delivery etc) or a ward clerk (admin mostly).