Arghhh HELP pls - NURSES, what is going on over there??

**Hazel M** · 31-08-2010, 08:36 AM

Hi, My hubby is a Neo-natal intensive care nurse & since our reccie back in Nov 2007 has kept in touch by email with Flinders (when we were there, he was shown around the unit and basically told that with his skills, he would not be turned away for a job).

We are thinking (as we now have possible tennants lined up for our house here as its still not selling) that we will be in arriving in January. Basically, we dont have the cash to arrive & then look for work - he needs to have a job secured before we go.

He called his contact at Flinders and was told that there were no jobs at the min and they would not be able to hold something for him til Jan, although said they still were very interested in him (not much use unless there's a job too)and to call back in Oct / Nov. He was also told that almost nationally in Oz - that nurses are just on 12 mnth contracts now

So yesterday he spoke to an agency in London who were nearly tripping over themselves that we've already got our visas but told him they'd only got a couple vacancies - somewhere in NSW & somewhere in Tasmania

What do we do now???? We want to be in Adelaide NOT Tasmania!!!! Flinders was the best hospital because we want to live somewhere like Mount Barker, Mount Lofty, or Mclaren Vale... but now anywhere around Adelaide is going to be preferable than somewhere not even in SA!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone has any contact names for other hospitals which have neonatal units then I'd be really glad to hear from you - or even the name of a good nursing agency that he contact from here would be fab. Really starting to worry now as we seem to have been up against it in one way or another from the start and now this is the final hurdle. We've even said he could go on ahead of me if a job came up for him and me and the children could follow on. Just don't know why there are suddenly no jobs?

Any help / contact names or even info on what is going on with nursing jobs at the moment very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Hazel x

**jo_marnes** · 31-08-2010, 08:57 AM

I think it may be that he's a neonatal nurse rather than in general nursing. Most hospitals here prefer their staff to be flexible in where they can work as far as I know. My Mum's a cardiac nurse and she's got a permanent job at a private hospital, who sponsored her visa, so in her case, a 12 mth contract was never mentioned. I'm guessing they are just hesitant to give a permanent job to someone they haven't met and haven't seen in the workplace. Can't blame them really! I don't know any more - there are lots of nurses on here who'll be able to offer advice xxxx

**Hazel M** · 31-08-2010, 09:46 AM

Apparently the fact that he currently works in a speciality is in his favour.
He is able to be flexible - can do both aduls and paediatrics. Both Flinders and the agency said that if he were a general nurse with no speciality it would be even harder to find work!! Its just that they were saying about how few jobs there currently are thats making us panic.

**andy and lindsey** · 31-08-2010, 09:51 AM

Try sending a pm to the garnetts on here they might be able to help you
Lindsey :)

**Rachiegarlo** · 31-08-2010, 10:40 AM

The Womens and Childrens hospital has a NICU. He should email the hospital. I don't know why he was told nurses are being hired on yearly contracts. The norm is usually a short contract to see if you suit and then a permanent one. Can he do PICU? because the WCH also has one of those and most of the patients are under 5.

**Django** · 31-08-2010, 10:41 AM

Try emailing the Womens and Childrens hospital ..... women's and children's hospital adelaide

There is an email link at the bottom. Send them Justin's CV and that you already have your visa sorted.

Good luck

**Hazel M** · 31-08-2010, 10:52 AM

Thanks - circulating the CVs as I speak!!

Fingers crossed!

**nicandchris** · 31-08-2010, 11:12 AM

Hi Flinders told me a similar thing tho luckily i have a job lined up the the health trust generally but want a speciality job at flinders. i emailed my cv and they responded well but said that they cant let me know about a job until nearer to the time next year which is understandable.

**thekings** · 31-08-2010, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by nicandchris

Hi Flinders told me a similar thing tho luckily i have a job lined up the the health trust generally but want a speciality job at flinders. i emailed my cv and they responded well but said that they cant let me know about a job until nearer to the time next year which is understandable.

I had a similar response and was told to go in and see them when I actually land in Adelaide. To be fair I suspect that they are literally inundated with nurses wanting jobs with them but then cannot commit due to other offers, problems with visa, registration, families and the list goes on. Whereas if you turn up on the door with registration in hand and available to start there and then, they will probably take you more seriously.

I don't know if thats the case, I'm just making assumptions and trying to keep myself optimistic, but it sounds good to me. :D

**Hazel M** · 01-09-2010, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by thekings

I had a similar response and was told to go in and see them when I actually land in Adelaide. To be fair I suspect that they are literally inundated with nurses wanting jobs with them but then cannot commit due to other offers, problems with visa, registration, families and the list goes on. Whereas if you turn up on the door with registration in hand and available to start there and then, they will probably take you more seriously.

I don't know if thats the case, I'm just making assumptions and trying to keep myself optimistic, but it sounds good to me. :D

It does sound good! And I suspect there could be something in it, doesn't make it any easier unfortunately as we;ll not be landing anywhere til we know there's a job to go to though!!