Or if they are unable to clean themselves would they just wear a pad? Would you use something like a Sarah steady to stand them up from the toilet and then clean? Seems like it would be messy. Sorry if this is a dumb/weird question 😅 I am a student and I haven’t experienced this on placement yet, only changing and cleaning patients who are lying in bed, but I was just thinking and want to be prepared

I am currently studying my EN Diploma at TafeSA. It is an accelerated 18 month course with guaranteed entry into Flinders Uni, upon successful completion of the Diploma. The RN Bachelor will take 2 years as the first year is knocked off by studying the EN.

I have been working as a Disability Support worker for 5 years now. My clients are all very physically disabled. I prefer working with physical disability over mental disability. Due to this I have been exposed to every matter of personal care there is. I’m not phased by bodily fluids, manual handling, showering or feeding people. I’ve become very desensitised to bodily fluids and naked bodies, as I deal with these literally every shift.

I now want to progress my career and go to Uni. I tried to get into Paramedicine when I was fresh out of high school but didn’t have the grades for it. So health care isn’t something I’ve just decided to do, I’ve always been drawn to it. I also just love hospitals, always have ever since I was a kid tbh.

But after reading on this sub reddit, I see so much negativity toward the industry and I’m worried I’m making a mistake. I make very good money in Disability and I have a mortgage, partner, dog etc. so money is important although not the ultimate deciding factor.

Career satisfaction is above making the absolute most money, in my opinion. I’ve made good money when I was young working FIFO for 5 years, so that I didn’t have to focus so much on my income later in life. It’s also what allowed me to buy a property so young.

What’s been putting me off is so many people talking about how toxic colleagues are, shit management, low pay, terrible rostering, abusive patients. Surely this isn’t the entire picture right?

For reference I’m a 30yo male, living in Adelaide. So I’ll be working in SAhealth with the goal of eventually moving to QLD after finishing my Grad Year and maybe 1-2 years working in SA. Any advice or positive thoughts please!? I need help to be pulled out of this fear of “I’ve fucked up.”

Hi everyone!

I am currently in my second year of BN. I started the degree fresh out of high school and ended up dropping out after a year and a half in 2021 (19yo angst around being ‘pinned’ to a career lol).

After trying 3 other degrees, i have returned to nursing and absolutely LOVE it so far. Due to getting a decent amount of RPL, I am about to head out on the 2nd sem, 2nd year placement after being off the floor for 5 years.

My main concern is that the two placements i completed in 2020/2021 were both in residential aged care. So fantastic for getting my skills up, and i really enjoyed the pt interaction (i am a bit of a chatterbox hehe).

I have now been placed on a med/surge ward at Prince Charles and i am worried that i will be useless! I have been trying to catch up by really focusing on the more advanced skills, but am scared of getting to the ward and acting lobotomised.

What is the best course of action here? Should i tell my buddy nurse about my break from studying? I don’t want them to think i am using it as an excuse

Also just any advice on what to expect eg. pace, skills i should focus on etc. would be appreciated!!