[Home body]

I'm currently working as an endorsed enrolled nurse. At the moment I am quite disillusioned with my job and the thought of dropping back to being a personal carer (in my same workplace) but onto casual rather than permanent is a little tempting atm.

Has anyone done this?

My reasons being...

Dodgy pay compared with the responsibility
Costly registration fees
Long shifts

PCW's work shorter shifts (fit in better with family)
More variety of shifts
Tonnes of casual work
No reg fees

What do you think? I probably won't end up changing anything but I wonder if anyone has done this? I'm actually studying at uni as well so ít's not like I will be nursing forever anyway.

[ubermum]

Are you crazy? I am a PCW but on maternity leave. I don't know how the duties are divided up in your workplace, but I would much prefer the much "cleaner" world of the enrolled nurses than what the pcw's do. Where I work, the shifts are shorter for us. However the work is much heavier and it feels like much the same. I assume as a part timer you also get sick pay, holiday pay and guaranteed shifts. I don't.

[Swahili]

Why???
Honestly, I think you'd be mad to downgrade your skills and income. Is a change of workplace possible?

[JuliaGulia]

I agree with the PPs. I also work as a PCA in aged care while I finish my nursing degree, and it is such heavy work.

I'm also not entirely sure you would legally be able to do it. There are some issues around scope of practice, so before you make your decision check it out. I have been warned that once I am registered (Dec this year) I won't be able to continue my job.

[~TSC~]

I agree with the PPs. I also work as a PCA in aged care while I finish my nursing degree, and it is such heavy work.

I'm also not entirely sure you would legally be able to do it. There are some issues around scope of practice, so before you make your decision check it out. I have been warned that once I am registered (Dec this year) I won't be able to continue my job.

This was my first concern too. If it was at all possible I think you would need to do it in a different place. How would the residents and other staff cope with your sudden lack of authority to do anything significant?
What's your qualification? Is it diploma or cert IV? Have u considered upgrading your quals? Eg to diploma or adv dip then looking for another job eg in acute care?

[Maple Leaf]

I would not be dropping the registration as you basically have to sell your soul to get it back (thanks to AHPRA being in charge now!).

Can you look at a different EN position somewhere that offers shorter shifts?
Most places would be happy to accomodate you I'm sure as there would be some facilities needing EEN's badly!

This post has been edited by Maple Leaf: 15/04/2012, 08:20 AM

[Soccer Mum]

Hi I cant comment on nursing OP, but I used to be a pcw, both in clients houses and in a nursing home. It may have changed but they used to be very very badly renumerated, eg $12 an hour, this was about 7-8 years ago. However I would still image the pay difference between nurse and pcw is massive.

[Regular Show]

I work in recruitment and a nursing agency. I have checked the laws out and its as follows. If you are a RN and registered as one you can do EN shifts but if something were to 'go wrong' you would be held responsible as an RN. Same goes for EN's working PCW shifts.
So you could be registered as an EN and only work PCW shifts but if something went wrong you would be held accountable as an EN. The thing is you cant be registered as an EN and RN at the same time but either one or the other.

Hope that makes sense.