F.A.
Frequently Asked Questions
should i drive or take public transport?
At the end of the day it is up to you. However you should be aware the majority of these rural towns DO NOT have any transport within the town. This means NO regular bus service and NO taxi’s. The nearest supermarket can be on the other side of the town or in the next town. If you decide not to drive, ask your agency to inquire before you go if you can have use of a facility vehicle whilst you are there. Usually the facility will have cars sitting there and “depending on the facility manager” they are more than happy for you to use one to do you shopping. You don’t know if you don’t ask. Otherwise get your running shoes on.
is accommodation free or do I pay for it?
A VERY important question to ask your agency, it should be part of your contract. Some places do charge a small fee whilst others are free for agency staff. This should be told to you upfront by your agency! If you are going to be staying long term usually a fee per week will be charged. Students will pay a fee also. Again ask your agency if you are not sure.
If I don't drive will I be picked up from the station?
The answer to that is simple! Make sure you get your agency to organise it before you go! Not only pick up but drop off at the end of the contract, and get it in writing! Where you will be dropped off from the bus/train/airplane can be a fair distance (even in small towns) to the facility and you don’t want to be walking with heavy bags or at night. So it is very important to get your agency to organise this BEFORE you go.
What do I need to take with me?
In most of the accommodation provided by the facilities everything you need to sleep and cook will be supplied. You need to take all your own personal things i.e. clothing, toiletries, etc. If you have already looked through the facilities list on this website you will see some places do have sheets just for the accommodation or do not supply sheets at all or only supply sheets and towels from the hospital. This means you will be using the sheets, pillow cases and towels that have been used by the residents, they will be clean, BUT, it is up to you. However, if you have the room, take your own. Again get your agency to ask the facility what they do and don’t supply BEFORE you leave home. There is nothing worse than getting to a place and you have no sheets for the bed and it is a double bed so the hospital will not have sheets to fit it. Also a lot of places do not have mattress protectors either so you don’t want to be caught out..
is food supplied?
Short and simple NO! If you are going to drive, it is a good idea to take food with you. Nothing is supplied by the facility in the accommodation, no tea, coffee, milk, salt, pepper, sugar, nothing. You need to supply it ALL yourself. If you are only going to take the basics and intend to shop for your groceries when you get there. Be aware that if there is a supermarket in town they operate on shorter hours in these small towns and weekends they usually close early. If you are not driving than you really have no choice but to shop when you get there. However, most of the time you will arrive late on the Sunday and by the time you get there and settle into the accommodation everything in town will be closed. So either eat on the way OR ask your agency if the facility can organise to have a meal for you when you arrive.
What should I do with food I can't take home with me?
If you have ANY food left over in the fridge/freezer or cupboard and you can’t take it home, then throw it out. Don’t think you being kind to the next person, in fact you are doing the opposite. Nobody knows who’s food it is, so nobody uses it and food builds up taking up the limited amount of space available. It just means the next person into the accommodation has even less space for their things. Think of it as, you are the next person and trying to find some space for your food in that full fridge/freezer and cupboard.
What if I want to end my contract early?
That is totally up to you. You have every right to leave if you wish. However, be aware that if you do terminate your contract early you most likely will NOT be paid for your travel expenses.
Do i need to get the covid vaccine?
That is up to you. However it is becoming mandatory to get the “JAB” if you want to work in health care, across Australia. Although not all places have made it mandatory, yet, most agencies have and you need to be vaccinated to get the work. Unless you have an exemption, in writing, from a medical professional.
can i travel interstate for work with the current restrictions?
Nurses are classed as “Essential workers” and as such travel for work is allowed depending on the rules and regulations within that state or territory. ASK YOUR AGENGY!
You will need a travel permit and this can be obtained from the government covid travel permit website in your state. When your contact is finished your will again need a travel permit.
Your agency will have all the information on this that you will need. If they don’t then go to the government covid travel permit website in your state or territory.
You may need to isolate when you get there, if so your agency will keep you informed, that is THEIR job to keep you upto date with the rules and regulations surrounding all of this. It can change day to day depending on the state or territory you are in and traveling to for work.
Who pays for all of this isolation, well again that can depend on the current rules and regulations within the state or territory and the facility that wants you whether they will cover the costs or not. Some agencies will only pay a portion of the costs for isolation.
It is VERY important you check this with your agency because YOU could be paying for this.
What should I expect when I arrive?
When you arrive, you will go to the hospital nurses station, pick up the keys for the accommodation and any other paperwork they have left for you. If you don’t already have your roster then ask to get a copy. Settle into accommodation. You will most likely be sharing with other people so be mindful they may be asleep.
What usually happens on the first day?
Depending on the facility, but, usually on the first day you are given orientation. This means you will be shown around the facility to learn where everything is located. You will be shown what you will be doing during your time there. Your passwords for the computer are organised and any remaining paperwork that needs to be completed. Day two, usually you are off and running.
what can I expect to be my duties?
When working in a facility that has an emergency department, acute and aged care you will be working in all areas. Depending on the size of the facility will depend on how your time will be split up. In the majority of cases you will be doing medications, looking after any ED presentations, looking after any acute patients and working in the aged care doing residents care needs, this goes for EEN’s and RN’s. An RN in addition to that, you will be doing Doctor’s rounds and you will be in charge when the facility manager is not on duty. Depending on the size of the facility and the shift, there usually is only one RN on duty, again that depends on the size of the facility, get your agency to check. Other duties will depend on what is required, as directed by the facility manager.
What are my entitlements?
Your agency will let you know your pay rate up front and it will be written on your contract . If it isn’t get them to include it so you have it in writing. Whether you are being paid by the agency or by the health department you are entitled to penalty rates and allowances. Always check your first pay slip and if you are not getting paid correctly see the facility manager AND let your agency know immediately.
What allowances am I entitled to?
You should be getting the basic allowances such as:
- In charge.
- Climate and isolation.
- On call on meal break.
- Laundry.
- Shoes.
If you are not getting these then get onto the facility manager AND your agency immediately.
Do I pay for travel to and from the contract?
Agencies will only pay a limit for travel expenses. If you go over that limit it is out of your own pocket. So check with the agency, if they haven’t let you know already, how much you are entitled to claim. If you are driving then usually you pay for your expenses, fuel and accommodation, if needed, on the way and you will get reimbursed by submitting an expenses form to your agency at the end of the contract. If you are not driving then the agency will generally organise and pay for your travel there and return home. Very important: make sure you keep all of your tax receipts otherwise you will NOT be reimbursed.
What if I am asked to do something I don't feel comfortable with?
If you feel that you don’t have the skills to perform the required task then talk to the facility manager and if possible they will organise training. If they are asking you to do something you feel is UNSAFE or OUTSIDE of your “scope of practice”, then don’t do it. At the end of the day, it is YOUR career and YOUR registration. Always let your agency know.
Can I find a rental property in town?
If you are looking at staying long term in a rural town and thinking about renting a property. Remember some of these towns can have a population as little as 300 to 400 people, so there may not be any properties for rent when you want. It will be difficult to find something in a small town. Depending on the facility, they will let you stay at the nurses accommodation, for a fee, however they will expect you to find alternate accommodation in the long term. Talk to the locals and staff because these properties aren’t usually advertised when they become available.
do i have to share accommodation on the contract?
This is a very important and interesting question. When you go on contract in many of these places they will have shared accommodation. Unfortunately the accommodation in some of these places can be “very ordinary”, what is meant by that is, the accommodation is not always comfortable, and you have very little privacy or separation from others, apart from staying in your bedroom. In some of these towns the accommodation was probably originally built sometime in the 50’s or 60’s and was most likely originally built to house young, student, female nurses. They were never meant to house a mix of males and females and not built for mature adults who want and need privacy and a place to come back to after a long hard day at work to relax.
SO with that said, you need to talk to your agency first and ask the questions: “what is the accommodation like”, “how many are sharing it” ,”is there a mix of males and females”, “are the bath rooms and toilets shared”.
Your agency should have the answer to these questions and if they don’t get them to find out, that is part of their job. Remember they rely on you for their job also.
For too long some of these places just expect agency staff to just put up with poor quality accommodation. Remember they NEED you and it is time they realised that and if they can not supply decent accommodation then they will not continue to get the staff they need.
There are places that realise this and the accommodation standards are excellent. You can see this in the reviews that are listed on this website.
ASK your agency first and don’t just put up with it if you are not happy. Again remember they “NEED YOU.”
If we have not answered your question please contact us
There are many opportunities in Rural and Remote Australia. With each one comes challenges and new experiences. Our aim is to help you to have as much knowledge as possible before you set off, to make your experience a great one.
