LucyP Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Hi, I am new to Perth Poms. Moving to Perth in August with my husband and children. I'm a uk qualified learning disabilities nurse (diploma) with a top up degree in mental health. My aphra application is in at the moment- I hope it gets through. But my question is this- how flexible are employers regarding working hours, etc? I'll not have a support network and I'm a bit anxious about finding work that will allow me to meet all my other commitments (kids). Anybody got any advice or experiences? If I don't get my aphra reg through, I'd happily work for a charitable organisation. Just want to know/ have a bit of reassurance that we won't arrive to find that employers aren't as family friendly as they are portrayed- fingers crossed they are. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 It would depend on what sort of flexibility you were looking for? - You probably wouldn't be able to work long shifts for example if the rest of the staff worked only early/late/ night shifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoopyLauren Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 I' ll be interested in your answers here. I was very lucky here with my current employer and they have let me have set days to work and pick the hours that i want to work. Heading over similar time also I think. I 'll see you in the APHRA office maybe xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyP Posted June 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 Let's hope so Lauren. It's all a bit scary because I'm leaving behind set days, etc. Will need to be around for school pick ups and holidays as we'll have no back up. I've heard some Nurses say that they are offered family friendly shifts and that flexible working is offered by most employers. However, I got really worried when I read that this was only after being employed for twelve months. Anyone know if this is true? I know agency or bank work is an option but it would be great if I could continue with my career whilst in perth. I really hope that this is an option. Lauren, are u still in the UK? Have you nursed in Australia before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bouncy Posted June 15, 2015 Report Share Posted June 15, 2015 Hi all, we are moving over in August too, also a nurse with two children. I'm also worried about the whole flexible working thing!! It makes me very nervous! A lot of people must be in a similar position though so I'd like to think (hope) that workplaces have to be flexible to some degree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janh Posted June 16, 2015 Report Share Posted June 16, 2015 Hello.I have been working in healthcare for last 9 mths here and think its a case of working what hours you are given to get your foot in the door.I was worried about after school clubs and holiday clubs but they have been easy and good.I get the feeling that the longer you are here the more flexible you can be.Downside of starting somewhere new i guess.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoopyLauren Posted June 16, 2015 Report Share Posted June 16, 2015 HI Everyone, @LucyP, we fly our 2nd sept. Yes I have nursed in Oz previously, but along time ago, 1999-2000. Mostly in NSW and Alice springs. The Nurse pat ratio then was amazing! I am hoping it will be the same. Let's hope there is some flexibility. WE have two ankle biters to @Bouncy, aged on arrival 4yrs and 17 mths. Both boys. Got to go and do the nursery run........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyP Posted June 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2015 Thanks Janh that's really helpful- particularly about the around school care. It's hard to find that sort if info from the UK so it's great to hear from you being over there. A relief!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bouncy Posted June 24, 2015 Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 @LoopyLauren, our kids are similar ages! We'll have to get them all together once we are all there!! I've spoken with a few people who are out there in similar situations and they have found the wrap around care to be great, we've never needed it here so it's good to know how it works out there! Child care is my major concern! That and finding a house!!!!!☺️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenPen Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Interested in answers surrounding this - good luck ladies I am not coming until November so let me know how it goes? xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegg Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Hi LucyP, Im am a nurse with 2 young children too, but we are behind you in just waiting for ilets results (i hope i pass!!) then nursing reg will go in. I do set shifts now so i hope it's ok in Australia too. Good luck with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey2645 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Our two will be nearly 4.5 and 2 when we arrive in November and it would be great to meet up with others so the kids can play. I'm also hoping/relying on flexibility but sure I'll have to 'do the time' first - it makes it so much harder knowing there'll be no family to call on but I guess people end up managing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoopyLauren Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 @LoopyLauren, our kids are similar ages! We'll have to get them all together once we are all there!! I've spoken with a few people who are out there in similar situations and they have found the wrap around care to be great, we've never needed it here so it's good to know how it works out there! Child care is my major concern! That and finding a house!!!!!☺️ Suggest you start getting your head around the costs associated with wrap around and child care in general, especially if you have been used to not paying previously if family have helped out. It does add up. We have always managed here in the UK even when my hubby was on minimum wage and I was earning very little. You'll be fine, but better to prepare yourself for the costs ahead and then you van budget accordingly. Sure we all worry way to much about everything. xxx me included. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoopyLauren Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Our two will be nearly 4.5 and 2 when we arrive in November and it would be great to meet up with others so the kids can play. I'm also hoping/relying on flexibility but sure I'll have to 'do the time' first - it makes it so much harder knowing there'll be no family to call on but I guess people end up managing. You'll manage, we have been self sufficient from day one ( my folks not local and OH not even in the country) so we defo have never had anyone to call on. You just have to juggle and plan appointments when the other one is home etc etc. Does mean that sports and stuff go out the window unless of course life will get a lot lets busy not prepping for a VISA AND IMMIGRATION, that is what I am hoping anyhow.....I am hoping that we will bags more free time to go for run or walk or something other than shipping, insurance, packing, cleaning shoes with disinfectant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyP Posted July 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Hi all, bit of a job update that I think gives a bit more info for us all worrying about fitting everything around our jobs. I've been offered a registered nurse position- subject to aphra- which is great. But what is even better was their attitude to flexible working. This position is at a private hospital. At interview, they asked me what I'd like to work and I voiced my concerns about how I could manage everything. They said that they had many uk nurses who finished their shifts an hour early for school pick up, that they work their rotas around our requirements, you can swop shifts as and when you need to and there is a holiday club for kids also. Just hope to get my aphra reg through now! Just thought it may put some minds at rest to hear all if this- it did mine. Hope everyone's plans are going well. Scary day for us because it's exactly a month until the off!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoopyLauren Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Wow @LucyP that's great news. Thanks for sharing. I have not even started looking for jobs ( secretly hoping my OH will get a job and I can not work for a while, but i think i need to come back down from cuckoo land and get a wriggle on, otherwise we will be in the queue at the local shelters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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