Hi Stuart, Thanks for agreeing to chat with me! Can I start out by asking if you are RN or EN, what state you are from and what year you graduated?
EN. Western Australia. Geraldton Graduated Nov last year.
Congratulations 
So when you graduated did you apply for any grad programs?
So when you graduated did you apply for any grad programs?I didn't. Insider information. I knew I would get on the casual pool. 7 of us graduated; 1 applied for the grad here and got it 1 applied for a grad in Perth and got it. All of us worked on the casual pool. All offered a contract.
Oh great! And how did you find the support when you started in the casual pool?
Support for us was good. As the staff knew us. They were watching us closely when we were there for our prac. It helps being in a small regional city. We have some grads here From Perth. Both RN and EN. And casuals as well from Perth.
Oh that's great! And are you still working in casual pool?
I took a contract on the general ward For us that means everything; MH, post op, rehab pt, geriatric. Pt waiting placement to a nursing home.
Oh wow are you enjoying it?
There is plenty of work here in WA. Specially out in the country regions. Most that missed out on grad programs here is due to not selling themselves properly with their resume or selection criteria. We all helped the 2 that got grads with their resume and selection criteria. Yes enjoying it. Beats being a mechanic. Here if you work as a casual or a grad program in the regions. The big Perth hospitals love seeing that on a resume.
So if someone missed out on a grad program would it be worth trying for a rural job do you think?
Big yes.
Often get texts for shifts out side of here to work in small town medical centers (very small hospitals) so RNs that would like do travel nursing it is great way to get their foot in the door.
Awesome! So do you feel like you missed out on anything by not doing a grad year?
Regional areas here have a larger percentage of first Australians. Chronic disease unfortunately is high and that is probably around 33 percent of our hospital admissions. So here we get the experience in helping these more than the big city. Leads to us having a greater understanding of Chronic disease. Don't feel like I have missed out at all. The one who is a grad here from my class is of two minds about it. Her grad only started in August. She was a casual before it started. The one that went to Perth was definitely worth it for her.
And if you could say anything to a new grad or student who is stressing about not getting a grad program what would you say?
Think outside the box. Look at causal positions. If that means some travel go for it. And try again for a grad. I do know aged care are all ways looking over here. That's not for me though. Getting shifts under your belt will help answer the selection criteria as well, show you are committed to going after your goals. Not sure about other states but WA is screaming for nurses. Some people have their goals set for a specific field of nursing. You might not get in the first right away. Get some work experience as a nurse and try again later. You will find a work colleague who had work that field before. You can learn off them for courses and help to sell yourself at an interview.
Thank you so much for sharing
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