Done and Dusted!

So happy! I am finally done with the bridging course. If I look back now, it was all and all a good experience. I did my course at the Australian College of Nursing, known as the EPIQ-RTR course. It started of with 5 week of theory, which was followed by 6 weeks of Clinical practice. 

In the 5 Weeks of Theory we covered the following:

I am sorry for the image quality, but I don't have a scanner with me, and thought that this will be quicker. 


During the 6 weeks:

During our 1 st week, we had to set a minimum of 3 learning goals which you had to achieve by the end of the clinical practice. Its almost like a learning contract that you agree on. Every week we had a precept visit from one of the facilitators. The facilitator worked with us for the whole day, observing our practice and advising us on things they felt necessary. On the 3rd and 6th week, we had formative assessments. The formative assessments were pretty much the same as the precept visits, except for the fact that it was an assessment and they did not guide you during this day. At the end of week 5, we had to submit a 1000 word essay on one of our learning goals.

So now that all the hard work is done, the waiting begins...

They gave us this document that shows exactly when they will be submitting your documentation to AHPRA.

I think that thing that i struggled with most was to understand the different nursing roles, but I think I got it now, and I know what I want to work towards. (AIN- Assistant in nursing, CNC - Clinical nurse consultant, CNE- Clinical nurse educator, CNS- Clinical nurse specialist).

Nursing in Australia is so vast. There are so many different specialties in Australia, things you won't even think about is SA. Nursing in Australia = opportunity! 

I know there are a few RNs who got turned down by AHPRA. This might not be much, but there are many RNs working as IANs and even better phlebotomists. You don't need to be registered as RN to do that here. You do however have to do a cannulation course. In SA Cannulation is part of our training, but I am sure there should be a course somewhere that you can do that will give you a certificate. From what I've heard, the money is not that bad. So that might be another option. Maybe not a bad idea to contact the pathology labs to see what they require. As I said many people did this while they were doing the bridging course....JUST AN IDEA! :)

Super excited...Flying home to SA on Monday! Excited to see my family and friends. Will miss that indescribable feeling of safety that I experienced here.