Hello Cakers, I have greater understanding of your position, thanks.
I've read of workloads you speak of, and its a scandal that any nurse should be asked to accept such a workload.
Your employment contract should, must, be addressed, if only for the sake of patients!
I'm retired, a pensioner and healthy, and in no position really to do much but to accept that costs of work and living in a city should require such money. Being remote and living simply has its downside, I lack personal experience of up to date employment conditions and pay.
Having asked around I've learned I have privilege, I was unaware of, my car is fixed by myself and friends. I have learned that I should be paying $50 an hour for such service if I were to go to a service station, and this in the bush!
Forgive my ignorance please. I recognise now that nothing has changed
good people are still being abused, now probably by private enterprise at that.
An aid, being Maori, I know was in Aussie and working in aged care must also have been ripped off? She has since returned to NZ, was one of the loving kind, loved the old people she assisted to the point of inviting some of them to her home socially where I met them. They were more like fans than patients.
Don't do as I know others have and breakdown please, even if needs be you must find less stressful an occupation.
my best wishes and thoughts are with you.
fluff

Fluff 4. Thanks for the little insight into your life. You sound a lot like myself in that you're a self sufficient person.

I believe that what Cakers is saying is related more to lack of recognition of nurses and what they have to endure under certain circumstances, than the hourly pay rate. Nurses continue to work in that field because they're dedicated and caring people, although we might see a change in coming years since Centerlink has lately been pushing unwilling people into En/Div 2 nursing,Personal Care Attendants and Assistants in Nursing courses that they only do because "they have to do something." We've recently had students who only did the course because of Centerlink pressure and who definately were not interested. Hopefully, they won't be tempted to work in the field.

No, pay rates is a secondary aspect, but you're right when you mention a mechanic making $45 an hour. I recently paid a plummer $225 for a simple job that took just 30 mins and while it's fair to say he had to travel 30 mins and used his own equipment, it's also no wonder he drove a brand new ute.

Wages today are skewed and not in favor of nurses, but the whole point is that wages are simply another weight added to the non-recognition of a worthy profession .

Cakers, all I can say is hang in there. It took awhile, but eventually I found my little nitch in Geriatric Psych following a period of casual work. I love my job and the people I work with, both residents and colleagues. If you look around, I'm sure that in good time you'll settle somewhere too.

By the sounds of things, you're working in the private field. Do you have the chance to move over to the public system?

And remember, if all else fails, although nurses are often under-valued by the very system that employs them, such is not the case in the outside world. If you have a good and reliable work history, someone will snap you up soon enough, especially if you work in a capital city.

Also, if all else fails, you can always do as I did. Buy a bush block, build a modest cabin and downsize, downsize, downsize! You won't need the money then and life will once again seem sweet.
Cheers,
Aime.

fluff4

I thank you for your understanding and comments. I do work in private rather than the public system. I will only work where the
union aids the workers. I have had to educate myself big time this
week. I am not feeling as despondent today. Knowledge is power :)
I grew up in NZ (you mention the Maori worker) I too am one of those types more likely to take residents home as I do a car full each Christmas. Is a blessing for me and I have one friend nearly 92 from my old place of work over a year ago. I go in to visit and if this dear lady isn't up to going out, we just sit and hold hands. Is a precious relationship.
Aime...
It is so truly wrong for sure to train people into aged caring (Cen'link), if it isn't chosen. The workers who truly love the older folkers stand out a mile while there will always be workers doing no more than necessary, rushing and saying little who for them is just a 'job'. But this work is a privilege. I will not be leave nursing as it is 'me'; I am a service minded people person. I have something to offer and that I will; I begin orientation at a new site next Monday! It would appear I bowled over the manager with enthusiam ... Big Smile. This nurse will make a difference.

I can understand you nurses feeling aggrieved when comparing your wages with others. The good news though is that you are doing something far more worthwhile than most of us. You are the unsung heroes of our nation.

Oh Runner, you're embarrassing me :-) I simply love my job and the people I work with, but thanks for the comments. Wish you were running my organisation. Moral is pretty low thanks to the cut-throat attitude of upper management at present.

And good on ya Cakers. Looks like your little 'nitch' is also in sight. People with a caring nature like yourself will always eventually find what you're looking for. All the best with the new position.