Midwifery Differences between Australia and the USA.

TV shows like Call the Midwife and One Born Every Minute has allowed the public, even general nurses, to gain a much better understanding on what really happens behind closed doors in the labour ward. Though slightly dramatized, these shows raise some interesting conversations about the incredible role midwives play during this vulnerable time.


I was interested to find out how the role of a midwife varies between countries, so I interviewed two amazing midwives from opposite sides of the globe. Maddy comes from Melbourne, Australia and Mercy from Texas, United States (via Comforts of Home Midwifery) are here to share their stories.


Both women have had totally different experiences in becoming a midwife but also have some interesting similarities. I asked each of them 9 different questions regarding their current role, training, room for growth and advice for newbies just starting in the industry. I really enjoyed researching and writing this article and I hope you find the content super interesting.


1. What are the study requirements of becoming a midwife in your respective country?


Mercy (USA):


The requirements for becoming a midwife vary by state in the US. In some states, midwifery is actually illegal unless you are a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). This usually consists of having a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then a master’s degree in midwifery.


I practice in Texas and Oklahoma. In Texas, you have to have a license to practice. The requirements to get the license are similar to what the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) requires for their Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) certification, so most midwives choose to obtain both. You must follow a course of study for a minimum of two years. This includes an apprenticeship with a licensed/certified preceptor.


In Oklahoma, we are listed but not regulated. This just requires that you fill out a form with basic demographics. You are required to notify of any training that you have had, so if you have been licensed in another state, it is easier to get approved.


In New York however, they do not recognize the CPM credential. They have their own Certified Midwife. Its requirements are somewhere between the CPM and the CNM as some people feel that the CPM is not enough.


Maddy (AUS):


To work as a midwife in Australia, you need to complete either a:


•Undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Midwifery (3 years) - Students who do not have a nursing qualification can complete this.


Or


•Bachelor of Nursing degree and then go on to complete a Graduate Diploma or Master of Midwifery (12-18 months)


There is a big push by the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) for midwifery students to focus on continuity of care, which means providing care to women from beginning to end of pregnancy. This is why students “need to spend at least 50% of the overall program on clinical placements in order for the course to be accredited” (source).


I ventured down the post graduate route, completing first a Bachelor of Nursing, then specialising in Emergency nursing with a post graduate certificate. I then went on to complete an (exhausting!) 12-month, post-graduate qualification in midwifery.


This was basically 3-4 years of study jam packed into 12 months. It was madness to say the least, because along with working to become a midwife, I was studying at the same time. If I wasn’t working a shift at the hospital I was at an appointment with an expecting mother or studying and it was really hard work, but worth it in the end.


My course was broken up into three main sections; clinical competencies, university classes and “following” mothers during their pregnancy. (More on this in a moment)


I should note there is one big difference in where you choose to do the 50% of the “hands on” clinical work in regards to private vs public healthcare.


This difference was about the money! You were either paid to work receiving a full wage, half wage or none at all, during the mandatory clinical hours. Whether you got paid was also dependent on if you receive a scholarship or financial loan currently. This is good to know if you want to become a midwife in Australia!


2. How many babies do you need to "catch/birth" independently during your training?


Mercy (USA):


•10 births must be done in an observation capacity. These can include doula births.


•A minimum of 20 births are done in an assisting phase. The supervising preceptor can decide not to let the student go on to the next phase if she/he doesn't feel that the student is ready.


•A minimum of 20 births are done with the student as the primary midwife under the supervision of their preceptor.


•5 more continuity of care births are required between the test to obtain the certification and actually getting the certification.


•A minimum of 23 initial prenatals, 77 additional prenatals, 40 newborn exams, 50 postpartum exams are also required.


Maddy (AUS):


•Birth 30 babies within the 12-18 month program (as a post graduate student).


•“Follow” 10 women throughout their pregnancy in your own time. You could consider this “on call.” This means attending antenatal visit classes/sessions, be present at the birth (for 6 of these women) and attend post natal appointments for each one. Most midwifery students like to follow 11-12 mothers at a time (not only 10) just in case a shift clashed with an appointment or a birth and you were unable to attend. On a side notes, these 10 births don’t count towards the 30 births if you don’t birth them yourself.


•Follow “high risk” pregnancy’s and also ones with a complex history


•10 caesarean section births


3. What certifications are required and need to be maintained as a midwife on a regular basis?


Mercy (USA):


Both state and North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) require that you hold current CPR for health care professionals and neonatal resuscitation. These must be renewed every 2 years. Texas licensure is also renewed every 2 years. In Texas, you are required to take a jurisprudence exam on Texas midwifery laws every 4 years. Renewal requires 20 hours of continuing education classes.


The CPM renewal is every 3 years. 25 continuing education classes and 5 hours of peer review are required for renewal.


Maddy (AUS):


To continue to practice midwifery in Australia, midwives must renew their registration every year while also completing 20 hours of continued professional development (CPD) hours annually. In my case, I need to complete 40 CPD hours because I am both a midwife and nurse.


Though the requirements may vary from state to state and differ depending on the hospital, most midwives are required to complete annually their basic life support (BSL), neonatal basic life support and paediatric basic life support. Neonatal advanced life support is only required if you work in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit and are assigned to attending “codes” or in-hospital emergencies.


There is also yearly training we need to complete in regards to the treatment of preeclampsia causing seizures and haemorrhage. Plus, another annual training session is refreshing your knowledge of Cardiotocography (CTG) monitoring with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.


You must also successfully complete (as a student midwife) “hands on” competencies such as an internal exam, inserting urinary catheters, performing a newborn screen and also a heel prick test. Plus, also successfully demonstrating you can care for a postnatal mother and child through various assessments.


We also need to complete the annual competencies of blood safe, hand hygiene, fire training, no-lift/or safe lift principles and other hospital specific requirements.


4. What are the different levels of midwifery?


Mercy (USA):


There are three different levels in the United States:


Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) – Me.


“The CPM is the only midwifery credential that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of-hospital settings”. CPM’s work exclusively in settings outside of hospitals, such as homes and birth centers. These midwives have completed coursework, an apprenticeship and a national certifying exam. CPMs are licensed to practice in 33 states.


Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) - Have completed both nursing school and an additional masters degree in midwifery. They’re qualified to work in all birth settings, including hospitals, homes, and birth centers. They can also write prescriptions in all 50 states.


Certified Midwives (CM) – Are similar to a CNM except they have a background in a health field other than nursing. They take the same exam as nurse midwives through the American College of Nurse Midwives. CMs are currently only licensed to practice in Delaware, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Maine and Rhode Island.


Maddy (AUS):


In regards to midwifery in Australia, there is only one level midwife and that is a registered midwife. You receive this qualification after successfully completing a three years bachelor degree or completing a post-graduate certificate like myself.


You can then go on to specialize in areas such as neonatal intensive care by completing another postgraduate qualification but these positions first start as a registered midwife. Obtaining a “mini promotion” and becoming a Clinical Midwife Specialist (CMS) is also achievable with experience.


5. How much does it cost to become a midwife?


Mercy (USA):


There is a push for midwives to attend a midwifery school that is accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council. This requires pursuing midwifery school to become less cost effective.


Currently non accreditated schools are $5000-10000. Accreditated schools are closer to $30000. At this time, there is a special bridge certification for those who did not go to an accreditated school. Some women are pursuing this because some states may start requiring this certification to get licensed. This bridge certification requires 50 continuing education classes from only approved, accredited sources.


Maddy (AUS):


The amount you pay for your course depends greatly on whether you’re a Commonwealth supported student or full-fee paying.


The amount you pay is also dependent on if you are completing the undergraduate degree or the post-graduate qualification. For example, I paid around $20,000 for my post graduate certificate where as an undergraduate student going to Griffith University for example, will pay around $6,566.00 per year according to their website here.


If you went to Deakin University you’ll pay $6,954 for 1 year full-time for their bachelor of nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery, undergraduate degree (according to their website here).


6. What is the nurse to patient ratio in these 3 areas; prenatal, labour ward and postnatal? Who provides extra assistance when needed?


Mercy (USA):


Only CNMs can work in a hospital setting. Since I am a CPM, I don't know what this is typically. It probably varies by hospital.


For homebirth and birth center midwives, this number is based on the midwife's own comfort level. A birth center is more likely to take higher numbers than a homebirth midwife. Usually these midwives provide all the care for these 3 areas. As midwives, we build relationships and call on each other to assist when we need extra hands.


Maddy (AUS):


In a hospital setting it is generally dependent on the ward:


•Antenatal (before birth): 1:4 (one nurse to four mothers) and overnight this increases to 1:6 (sometimes 1:7)


•Birth suit: 1 midwife to 2 rooms (labour and given birth). However, if there is one mother actively giving birth it can become 1:1 with more help being acquired from the wards if needed.


•Postnatal: 1:4


•Emergency department: 1:3


When more help is needed due to a deteriorating patient we use the code system below or call for extra hands on another ward.


•Met call – Deteriorating patient


•Pink - Paediatric emergency and/or obstetrical emergency


•Green – Caesarean


•Blue – Cardiac arrest


7. In regards to rostering, how long are your shifts? Do you often complete overtime? Are there mandatory breaks between shifts? How much annual leave are you entitled to a year?


Mercy (USA):


I believe hospital midwives work in 24-hour shifts. I do not know about their other policies. With birth centres, their policies vary. Homebirth midwives don't have "shifts". Most birth centre and homebirth midwives are independent practioners. Our annual leave is based on how much time we want to take off each year. We usually just don't take clients for the time period that we want to vacation or have a partner cover us.


Maddy (AUS):


Shifts are similar to nursing; AMs (7-3:30), PMs (1:30-10:00) and ND 21:30-7:30.


I have found that you tend to work past your finish time often, by 15-30 minutes but would never get paid for it. Occasionally on a really busy shift, when a few staff have had a break, you’ll get paid for your break time but that’s happened probably 3 or 4 times for me. When they are short staffed, the nurse in charge will offer you and the other staff overtime which I’ve done a few times too.


Time between shifts is 10 hours which I believe is the same for general nursing.


As for annual leave, it depends on your EFT (equivalent full time position) entitlements. For example I work 0.8 EFT which I believe is 5 weeks annually.


8. What are the career progression opportunities for midwives?


Mercy (USA):


There aren't really career progression opportunities. Career progression may just be getting more clients or opening a birth center instead of doing all homebirths.


Maddy (AUS):


Career progression would be towards management, education or specializing in a specific area and in turn undertaking further studies. There is a program called Midwifery guided practice (MGP) which is for low risk, uncomplicated pregnant women wishing to have continuity and 1-2 midwives looking after them through their pregnancy, birth and post-natally.


I guess that would be a big goal for a lot of midwives as it gives them great autonomy and helps in getting to know their women. Lactation consultant is another that comes to mind as its specific to the world of breast-feeding and the many complexities that come with it.


Becoming a private midwife could also be another option for midwives wanting more autonomy. These nurses are affiliated with a hospital, regardless of being a home birth nurse, as a doctor still needs to sign off the birth taking place.


9. What advice would you give a new midwife?


Mercy (USA):


Make friends and get support in the midwifery community. No one else better understands what you go through like another midwife.


Maddy (AUS):


Being a midwife is a privilege. Being able to support women and their families through likely their most life-changing experience yet, is rewarding and humbling.


I love being able to support, reassure, teach and encourage these women in what appears to be an incredibly joyful and surreal time, as much as it can be overwhelming and simply exhausting.


I find success in the little wins like properly attaching a baby to the breast, coaching a women to effectively push and providing the adequate analgesia after cesarean surgery so a women stand to change her baby’s nappy.


Although the pay, conditions, hours and politics can sometimes make you question your decision to become a midwife, what I’ve learnt about the female body, the importance of teamwork and what a miracle it truly is to help bring life into this world would never make me give it up.


Plus, the baby’s are pretty darn cute!


In summary…


Regardless of where you have your baby, you’re in pretty incredible hands from a midwifery perspective.


If you’re interested in more information on becoming a midwife, here are some useful links:


In Australia:


•https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards.aspx


•http://www.midwivesaustralia.com.au/?page_id=224


•https://www.midwives.org.au/grow-your-career


In the United States:


•http://www.midwife.org/Become-a-Midwife


•https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/how-to-become-nurse-midwife/


•State-by-state regulation


References:


•https://degrees.griffith.edu.au/Program/1354/Overview/Domestic#fees

Nurse of the Month: November - Aoife

By Matthew Power • November 25, 2024
This November, we are thrilled to celebrate Aoife as NNA’s Nurse of the Month! A valued member of the Network Nursing Agency team since 2017, Aoife has embraced the flexibility and variety NNA offers, allowing her to broaden her clinical skills across diverse settings. From medical and surgical wards to mental health units and even as a student nurse facilitator, Aoife has made a significant impact wherever she works. “I love the ability to pick my own shifts, which gives me a great work-life balance and the chance to travel. The NNA team is friendly, welcoming, and always supportive of their employees,” Aoife shared. Her passion for nursing stems from a deep desire to help others and make a positive difference in the lives of patients and students alike. “Nursing is a fantastic career with so many opportunities,” she adds. Thank you, Aoife, for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence. We are so proud to have you on our team!

Nurse of the Month October 2024 - Niamh

By Shazamme System User • October 17, 2024
We are thrilled to announce Niamh as our Nurse of the Month for October! Her dedication, passion, and love for nursing have made a remarkable impact during her time with Network Nursing Agency. When asked what she enjoys most about working with NNA, Niamh highlighted the flexibility and variety. "I love the opportunity to work in various specialties and broaden my knowledge and skills," she shares. One of the most rewarding experiences for Niamh has been working across different specialties and supporting patients on their unique journeys. Her passion for nursing shines through, as she finds fulfillment in making a positive impact on people's lives.  Thank you, Niamh, for your incredible commitment and care!

How to stay comfy on your feet: a nurse guide to footwear.

By Matthew Power • August 21, 2024
Nursing means you’re on your feet a lot. So, you must wear the right shoes to ensure your feet stay comfortable and support you on long shifts. To help keep your feet happy across your shift, we’ve got some tips and tricks to finding the right shoes and relieving foot pain. Keep on reading, your feet will thank you for it! The issues that can arise from incorrect footwear. When you’re standing up all day for work, it puts undue stress on your feet, legs, knees and hips. To keep you standing upright through your entire shift, many muscles throughout your body are constantly engaged, while your feet hold the full weight of your body. There’s no downtime for your muscles, while your body is working to keep your blood moving up and away from your feet. Prolonged standing for work is associated with several potentially serious health outcomes. These include lower back pain, leg pain, cardiovascular problems, fatigue, discomfort, and pregnancy-related issues. 7 features of great footwear. 1. The right sizing It’s important to have the right width, depth and length of shoe to match your feet. Incorrect sizing can lead to callouses, corns, compressed nerves, and structural changes to your feet. 2. Stable heel counter The heel of your shoes should be firm when you press it. If it collapses it is too unstable. 3. Flexible at the forefoot Your shoe should be able to bend slightly across the ball of your feet to match your natural gait. 4. Stable midfoot The shoe should not be able to bend completely in half at the midfoot. 5. Laces or Velcro Ensure your shoe has either laces or velcro to minimise slipping and moving in the shoe. 6. Heel raise A small heel rise is preferred. But keep it lower than 2.5cm. 7. Arch support Medial arch support is essential to supporting your feet. Swap out the insole that your shoes come with for new ones that best support your feet. Sneakers vs work shoes. Different types of shoes have different purposes and are constructed uniquely for that purpose. Sneakers are specifically designed for linear movement, so walking in a straight line. They are constructed from EVA or foam, and flatten overtime, making them perfect for exercise or short-term usage. Work shoes are built for durability and longevity. They will have a more rigid heel to aid with balance. The sole will be made out of PU or rubber to provide better natural shock absorption. Tips for relieving foot pain. Foot pain can be quite common for nurses and midwives. Long shifts on your feet can tire them out or cause damage. There are a few things that you can do to relive foot pain. These include: · Stretch and roll your feet when you can on shift to get the blood flowing back into your feet. · Use compression socks to promote blood flow and oxygen, reducing pain and swelling. · Change your shoes every 9-12 months. · See a podiatrist if there are lingering problems. Conclusion. Foot pain is a serious issue for nurses and midwives. With many hours spent on your feet, often with only small changes to rest, it can be easy to cause damage to your feet. Your shoes are vital to keeping your feet healthy and ensuring they can last the full shift. But your shoes aren’t the only aspect. Continue to exercise your feet and monitor them for signs of foot pain. If there are lingering problems, seek help, and see a podiatrist. For more tips like these check out our blog.

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Ever heard of travel nursing? It’s a great career path for nurses seeking variety, new experiences, and ways to improve their skills and knowledge. You’ll meet new people, explore new cities, towns, and facilities, all while enjoying the many perks of travel nursing. So, you’ve heard about travel nursing but aren’t sure exactly what it is, let alone whether it is right for you. That’s where we come in. We’ve put together this guide on travel nursing to help you understand what the role entails, where you’d be working, the benefits, and even the cons. That way you can determine whether it is the career path for you. Let’s dive in. What is a travel nurse? Put simply, a travel nurse is a nurse who travels to different healthcare facilities to work shifts under a short-term contract. Typically travel nurses will fulfill a contract in one facility, then move to a different facility on a new contract. Sometimes travel nurses will also fulfill ad-hoc shifts between contracts depending on the arrangements they have with their nursing agency. Where do travel nurses work? There are a wide variety of healthcare facilities across the country that utilise travel nurses as a part of their team. As a travel nurse, you’ll find contracts in regional towns across Australia, remote locations, and casual shifts in our major cities. Most travel nurses will move around to different regional towns on different contracts, then will pick up shifts in the nearby capital city between contracts. When they want to head back home for a bit, they can then pick up casual shifts in a variety of facilities in their home city. Once travel nurses are ready to head out again, they’ll find their next contract and head out. This is possible through a nursing agency. The best agencies will have a variety of metro, and rural and remote shifts to help you work where you want to. What types of roles do travel nurses fulfill? Travel nurses have a wide variety of opportunities across many different nursing specialisations. You’ll find jobs in general nursing, midwifery, aged care, acute nursing, emergency nursing, mental health, and so much more. Regional towns across Australia are crying out for specialised nurses to help improve the health outcomes of their patients. As a travel nurse, you’ll have the opportunity to try out different specialisations in a variety of settings, gain experience, learn from others, and advance your career. It makes it the perfect pathway for advancing in your specialisation while making a big difference to the lives of others. What benefits are there? There are many great benefits to travel nursing beyond career advancements. Many contracts will offer financial benefits to make them more enticing, while also making it easier to travel. Incentives can include travel allowances, free accommodation, meal allowances, extra pay, and even lump sums. Aside from financial benefits you also get the opportunity to travel and explore Australia. If this is something that you’ve dreamed of doing, then this may be your opportunity. You’ll be able to earn money while also exploring some of Australia’s most beautiful locations. As a travel nurse you can immerse yourself in each location for a few weeks before moving on to the next. What are some things to consider? Of course, with all these benefits there are some trade-offs. The biggest con is less stability than a permanent placement. You’ll be relying on contracts in different locations. So, if you want to settle in one spot, then travel nursing is not for you. This also makes it more challenging to complete any in-person courses for a longer period. Fortunately, there are a lot of online courses that you can take to continue your upskilling journey. Is travel nursing right for you? If you’ve got the travel bug and want to explore Australia while working, then you’ll love travel nursing. It’s the ultimate career path for anyone seeking flexibility and exploration. Plus, you get some great financial benefits. If this sounds like the right path for you, then get in touch with us!

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By Matthew Power • May 15, 2024
Congratulations to our Nurse of the Month for May – Katie! Katie has been loving working in the nursery, making a real difference to her patients and their families. You’ve been doing an incredible job Katie, and we just want to show you how much it’s appreciated! Read all about Katie’s time with NNA at the interview below. What do you enjoy the most about working with Network Nursing Agency? NNA allows me the flexibility to pick and choose my shifts allowing me to work the job I love but also being able to have a life outside of work. The support from the office is also amazing when life throws a curve ball and makes those hard times easier. Tell us about a rewarding experience you’ve had whilst working with Network Nursing Agency. Having looked after the same patient for a few weeks in the nursery I had the privilege of being there for their discharge day. The joy on the parent’s face of getting to take their baby home is something I will never forget. What makes you passionate about nursing? I love interacting with people so nursing allows me to talk to people from all different walks of life. Nursing also allows me to make a difference whether it be cracking a joke to make a patient smile after they have a bad day or playing games with the kids while treating them to show them hospitals aren’t that scary of a place.

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By Matthew Power • April 23, 2024
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By Matthew Power • April 4, 2024
Nursing is an incredible job filled with so many rewarding opportunities. When it comes to choosing the best career path it can be tricky to know which is best for you. We may be biased, but for most nurses, we believe agency nursing is the best! But, many nurses miss out on the wonderful opportunities available because of some agency nursing myths. So we’re here to bust those myths and show you why agency nursing is awesome. Check out the top 6 agency nursing myths, busted below. 1. Agency nurses don’t get as many benefits Fact: While the benefits employers offer permanent nurses are different, agency nurses get a tonne of incredible benefits. From bonuses for completing certain numbers of shifts, higher pay, flexibility around shift times, refer a friend bonuses, giveaways, bonus holiday time, and so much more. The incentives you get from agencies are never-ending and extremely varied. What you get will change from agency to agency, so have a look at what they offer when you sign up. 2. Agency nursing is only a temporary option Fact: Many years ago, agency nursing was considered a stepping stone to a permanent position, but as nurses seek more flexibility and control over their work, agency nursing has become a popular career choice. It allows nurses to build their careers around their life, making juggling family, study, and hobbies easier than ever. Plus, with Agency Nursing often offering much higher pay, it’s the no-brainer career move for most nurses. 3. I won’t get as much say in where I work Fact: A common misconception is that the agency chooses where you work. But this is not true. It’s the opposite. Agency nurses have full control over the locations they work. Simply select the shifts that are available in the facilities you want to work when you want to work. Of course, not every location in your city may be available to every agency nurse, but you still get to choose where you work. 4. I won’t be supported Fact: Agency nurses often receive more support than permanent nurses. As an agency nurse, you’ll have a team of people backing you up, helping you find jobs, managing shifts, and working with you to help you accomplish your career goals. Whenever you’ve got questions or queries, you’ll know that there is support on hand to help you out. 5. I will be treated differently to permanent staff when on shift Fact: The healthcare sector has become increasingly diversified with nurses coming from a variety of areas. On each shift you’ll work alongside the facilities nurses, part-time nurses, nurses from your agency, and nurses from other agencies. As there is so much demand for nurses the us vs them culture which used to prevail has largely faded away, with nurses from all backgrounds working together to get the best outcomes for their patients. 6. There isn’t enough work for me to take up Fact: With so much demand for nurses in Australia, you’ll find a tonne of opportunities each month. Both our metro and R&R spaces are brimming with opportunities for nurses in Sydney and across the country. A slow month will still have a a lot of shifts for our nurses, so you can keep your income rolling. It’s why agency nursing has become even more popular as a full-time role. Conclusion There are a lot of outdated myths about agency nursing. But as the industry has changed, and nurses are craving greater flexibility, agency nursing has risen to these calls and provided the best solution. If you want to get more flexibility and earn more for each shift, then feel free to get in touch with us. You can get started as soon as possible by registering here .

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By Matthew Power • March 6, 2024
congratulations to our nurse of the month for March 2024 - Sophie! She's been working hard for her patients and deserves this recognition. You can read all about her time with NNA in the interview below: I love the variety of experiences and opportunities that working with Network Nursing Agency provides. It allows me to work in different healthcare settings and with various patient populations, which keeps things interesting and challenging. The flexibility and diverse learning experiences make each day unique and fulfilling. One of the most rewarding experiences I've had while working with Network Nursing Agency was being able to provide care and support to patients in need, especially during patients challenging times of need and vulnerability . It was fulfilling to make a positive impact and help those in need. The gratitude and appreciation from patients and their families made those moments truly special. I'm passionate about nursing because it allows me to make a difference in people's lives and provide care and support when they need it most. The opportunity to help others and contribute to their well-being is truly fulfilling and rewarding.

How to make the most of your Working Holiday Visa as a nurse

By Matthew Power • March 6, 2024
Australia is one of the best countries in the world to visit on a working holiday. There’s so much to see and do, so many people to meet, and incredible experiences to be had. If you’re joining us as a nurse, midwife, or other healthcare worker on your working holiday visa, then we’ve got some great tips to help you make the most of your time here. We’ve got some awesome benefits that are designed to help you explore Australia and experience all the incredible things available on this continent. So, let’s kick it off with our top 6 tips for making the most of your working holiday visa as an NNA nurse! 1. Take time off work to travel While it can be tempting to work a lot to take advantage of all the incredible career opportunities available, you do need balance. Make sure you’re booking time between shifts to explore the city and go on day trips. One thing you can do is to plan out larger amounts of time off, especially when you first arrive. You could have a schedule like: Month 1-2: Travel Months 3-5: Work Month 6: Travel Months 7-12: Work and live in your favourite city. This way you’ll have plenty of time to travel and explore the country. You can find the spot that you love while also having time to enjoy the career opportunities available. 2. Move between cities and states Being a part of NNA gives you access to a nationwide network of nursing agencies. This means you can travel and work across the country! The best thing you can do on a working holiday visa is explore all of our incredible cities and regional towns. You’ll love experiencing the unique cultures of each of our cities and regional towns. You can find your favourite to spend the most time in and enjoy all the day trip opportunities available. It’s the best way to explore the country and make the most of your WHV. 3. Prepare for all seasons (including snow) Yep, that’s right, in some parts of Australia it snows. It’s not all hot weather down under, you can experience all four seasons. So, it’s important to pack for them. While most of the year is warm or mild across the country, you’ll find winters can get cold. Plus, if you want to visit Australia’s excellent ski slopes, which are only a couple of hours from Sydney, then you’ll want to bring your snow gear. The best thing you can do is bring along shorts and t-shirts for summer, jeans and a coat for winter, and then some lighter jackets for between the seasons. It will depend on where you will be of course, with northern states experiencing a much warmer winter than those further south. 4. Prepare to drive to get to day trips Australia is a big country. While our cities, and many regional towns, tend to have decent public transport systems, there are many day trips that you’ll need a car to reach. So, if you don’t plan on driving or having a car make sure you plan around this. Otherwise, there are many other options for you. Whether you want to rent a car, try out a car share service, or purchase a car, you’ll have a lot of options. Just make sure you get a local driver’s license as you’ll often need one to register a car that you purchase. If you want to try a car-share service, options like Go-Get are great for day trips, are quite common in Sydney, and are affordable. 5. Use travel packages to find unique adventures To get an experience you can’t get on your own, try out some travel packages. They will bundle multiple experiences together so you can go on unique adventures across Australia. Travel Playground offers a wide range of experiences perfect for those on a working holiday visa. You’ll find short experiences across New South Wales, or multi-day journeys along the east coast of Australia which take you to some of the coolest places in the country. You can check them out here. 6. Use our Travel Planet referral code If you like what you see on Travel Playground then we’ve got a special gift for NNA nurses! As a member of NNA, you get access to some incredible discounts on their packages and experiences. Have a chat with the NNA team and we’ll give you our referral code. It’ll allow you to save some money so you can do more on your working holiday! Conclusion A working holiday visa in Australia is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so it’s important to make the most of it! Having a schedule and work arrangements that allow you to explore the country, and a referral that allows you to save a bit of money means you can take advantage of every moment. Check out Travel Playground for all the exciting travel packages available and, if you haven’t already, sign up to NNA for an epic discount.

Nurse of the month February 2024 - Katelyn

By Shazamme System User • February 19, 2024
Congratulations Katelyn on winning February's nurse of the month! We're really proud of the hard work and dedication you've put into caring for your patients. This award was a long time coming and we're happy to celebrate your achievements with you! You can read all about Katelyn's time with NNA in the interview below. What do you enjoy about working with NNA? I’ve worked with NNA for 3 years and I enjoy the flexibility agency work provides, I love being able to pick shifts up as I need and schedule them around my day-to-day life. The team at NNA are great and wonderful to work with. What's a rewarding experience you've had with NNA? My career provides ongoing rewarding experiences and I thoroughly enjoy being an emergency nurse. I particularly enjoy working in the emergency department with various patients, providing them care at a very uncertain time for them, and educating/helping them understand what is occurring. What keeps you passionate about nursing? I’m passionate about holistic nursing care, ensuring the individuals' concerns feel heard, in the business of the emergency department. I also love educating colleagues and patients, helping to understand procedures/diagnoses/etc.
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