December 3, 2020

Students

Tips for a speedy registration

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Towards the end of each year, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) receives a high volume of applications for new registrations.

As a new grad waiting to start work, it can be stressful if there’s a delay on your registration.

How to make sure your application isn’t held up

  • Read and make sure you understand the instructions.
  • Take your time and ensure you’ve submitted all required documentation in the format they require.
  • Make sure include you as much information as you can so it’s a quick assessment
  • When having documents certified, please follow the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (AHPRA) instruction, and note that the certification for documents containing photo identification is different from other documents.

The application process can be slowed if you:

  • do not supply all the correct information
  • don’t submit accompanying documentation in the specific format required

If you believe that you may need to make a declaration on your application, please contact the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association to seek prior advice.

You’ll be given the opportunity to upload new information to your registration application as and when required e.g. identification of a graduate program commencement date.

You should make your application for registration three months before you expect to complete your course. You do not need to wait until you have completed the course requirements to apply. Your education provider will let AHPRA know once you have successfully completed the course requirements.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association provides registration assistance to its student members. If you’re a NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association student member in need of support, you can contact them here.

5 tips for smashing a new grad video interview

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Has your new grad interview been moved online? For most of us, this format of interviewing may be quite strange, and it could be the first time you’ve done things this way. That said, here are The Lamp’s top tips for making the most of it – and hopefully secure that dream job!

  1. Minimise interruptions

Interviews are nerve-wracking enough as they are without having to deal with unnecessary interruptions. It can be pretty bad when you’re midway through an answer and your dog or housemate walks in to break up your train of thought. While interviewers would be aware that things do come up, it is probably not the best look if your phone rings during your conversations.

Let others around you know that you’ll be conducting an interview at a certain time, and consider putting a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door. Put your pets away, and make sure your children are being looked after by someone else during this period. Also, get your phone as far away from you as possible – you can do without it for an hour.

  1. Maintain eye contact

Just because you’re not in person doesn’t mean you don’t need to maintain eye contact. Practice looking at the camera in a way that feels natural for you. There are ways that you can fake this, including by looking just slightly behind or below the lens. That said, it can be really obvious – and distracting – if you spend the whole time looking away from your interviewers.

  1. Watch your mannerisms

Like in in-person interviews, your mannerisms can affect how interviewers perceive you. Don’t think that being on camera means these little quirks aren’t being seen – in fact, they’re possibly even more obvious on screen. Avoid things like swivelling on your chair, chewing on your pen or fidgeting. These behaviours don’t portray you in the best light to the interviewers, and can even be potentially distracting for them.

  1. Sticky notes are your best friend

While you normally can’t take notes into in-person interviews, you can strategically use them in your video interview. If you’re the kind of person that forgets what the STAR method stands for, or need a bit of a prod on how to answer some technical questions, you can place sticky notes next to or near your computer. Alternatively, a little inspirational quote wouldn’t go astray either!

While you won’t have time to check out your textbook during your interview, this trick could potentially assist anyone who is forgetful or nervous.

  1. Practice active engagement

Perhaps even more than in-person interviews, active engagement is key during video interviews. That means nodding and responding to statements, seeking clarifications, and showing the interviewers that you are paying attention. Just because you are at home doesn’t mean you can day dream, so make sure you engage with your panel as much as possible.

Let us know if you have any other great tips! If you need any more support, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association members can call 02 8595 1234. If you’re not yet a member, you can also sign up here.

And if you’re lucky enough to receive a placement, check out the amazing Student to New Grad webinars, offered by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association. 

Preparing to support the New Grads of 2021 – your role as a teacher in nursing.

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Mental Health Nurse Kerry Derbidge shares her reflections on being a mentor and teacher to new graduate nurses.

The call came from a former nursing colleague and career mentor, now responsible for overseeing education where undergraduate students were on mental health clinical placement. “I can’t believe you didn’t teach them about toast gloves!” Sent to help out with breakfast supervision in the open ward meals area, a student had hesitated to undertake the toast-making duties assigned, and when challenged, had asked “Which gloves do I wear to make toast?”

Who should have taught her this? Short of adding ‘Identification of Toast Gloves’ as a learning outcome to the mental health unit of the Bachelor of Nursing, other strategies in the education setting include increasing student preparation for what a ‘day in the ward’ might look like in settings other than medical/surgical placements, and reminders about assertive communication when faced with a new task. This too – reassuring students that there are ‘no stupid questions’ when you are learning.

But what of the clinical placement setting? A year later, that student became a Registered Nurse (RN), gaining a job in the same location where this unusual learning experience took place. Rather than being made to feel silly at the time, she was assisted by future colleagues who were willing to respond to the query without judgement or ridicule, teaching her what she didn’t know.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Code of conduct for nurses (2018) requires all nurses to participate in the teaching and supervision of nursing students and other nurses, through “oversight and feedback.” Principle 5.1a of the Code includes the direction that “nurses must… seek to develop the skills, attitudes and practices of an effective teacher and/or supervisor”, with additional instruction given about how an RN will participate in achieving high standards across the profession through teaching, supervision and assessment of both students and colleagues.

In a few short months, the Nursing Class of 2020 will finish their studies, sit their exams, finish their clinical placements (COVID willing), and become Registered Nurses. Their learning, however, is not coming to an end – it is just changing location. Their learning will continue as they enter the workforce – it will be up to YOU, in your context of nursing practice, to mentor and teach these new RN’s. The NMBA Code (2018) says you must “reflect on the ability, competence and learning needs of each… nurse” that you teach or supervise, which may be a very daunting responsibility for those nurses who have yet to develop these skills.

Are you ready to undertake this role? Will you commit to ‘upskilling’ if your personal reflection reveals the need to improve your capacity as a teacher and mentor? Here are a few suggestions:

If you have a passion for mentoring New Grads and want to get serious about nursing education, there are a range of postgraduate qualifications available for registered nurses which will enhance your effectiveness in this role. For example, a Master of Nursing (Clinical Teaching Specialisation) can enhance your knowledge and understanding of communication, teaching methods for working with adult learners, leadership and organisation skills, and ways of using good scholarship to build your effectiveness as a teacher. This will support your growth as a mentor in the clinical setting, and ensure the effectiveness of the teaching you provide to new nurses. In addition, postgraduate qualifications can open up new employment opportunities for those who develop a passion for clinical teaching.

A 2020 article titled The (not so) great escape: Why new nurses are leaving the profession examined how bullying, injury and other risks can lead to the loss of new recruits within two years of qualification. It also identified the chasm between what is expected of a student nurse, and the reality of what is expected from a new graduate RN, as a contributor to the loss of new nurses. This ‘gap’ between what the Nursing Class of 2020 know now, and what the New Grads of 2021 will need to know then, can be bridged with help from YOU, the effective teacher and supervisor.

Just don’t forget to teach them about Toast Gloves.

This post was sponsored by Avondale University College.

Video Interviews: your pre-game checklist

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In pandemic times, video interviews will be the go-to for many nursing and midwifery recruiters. It’s a potentially strange situation, but here are The Lamp’s top 5 tips for making it as stress-free as possible.

  1. Pick a good location and background

They say in real estate it’s “location, location, location”. It’s the same for your video interview!

Make sure that your location for the video interview shows off the best parts of you, rather than detracting from what you’re saying. That means having a clear background (a plain or professional wall does fine), rather than having a cluttered wall or messy room just over your shoulder.

Also check out the lighting. Ideally, lighting should be just behind your camera. Natural lighting is best, but we know that isn’t always possible. Try out different options, including room lighting or artificial lighting (like lamps).

Remember that you want the location to be as distraction-free as possible. A quiet space is best, where you can lock yourself away from stray pets, partners or children. If that’s not possible at home, some libraries or universities may have spaces you can rent out for this purpose.

  1. Test your equipment

There is nothing worse than having your equipment fail on you as you conduct your new grad interview. Blurry vision or unintelligible audio really affect what the interviewers see – as well as how you perform.

Make sure you test out your equipment prior to your interview. That includes both your camera and microphone. If your equipment isn’t up to scratch, consider buying or borrowing some new equipment for your interview.

It might also be worthwhile testing how your equipment comes across to another person on the other side of a stream. Ask a friend to conduct a video conference with you, and see how well your gear performs in those conditions.

  1. Plug in your internet

Another potential downer for interviews is your internet cutting off. Wi-Fi is notoriously fickle, and even hotspotting can be risky. Consider plugging in to the internet rather than relying on wireless for your interview, to save yourself a little bit of pain during the event itself.

  1. Get familiar with the streaming service

Ever had calls that have started with a cacophony of “hellos”, or been embarrassed by someone who didn’t know what a “break out room” was? You don’t want to be that interviewee, particularly during your new grad interview.

Before your interview, make sure you ascertain what program your interviewer will be using – they may choose to use Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts or something else. Visit the platform beforehand, and even consider conducting a mock interview with a friend prior.

  1. Have your outfit ready

While your outfit may mean a little bit less on a video interview, it’s another thing that you should consider so that you’re not rushing around having to deal with it on the day. You’ll have plenty of things to deal with as it stands, so if you can have your get-up hanging in your room the night prior, it should put you in good stead.

Now it’s your turn to go and ace that interview! If you need any more support, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association members can call 02 8595 1234. If you’re not yet a member, you can also sign up here.

And if you’re lucky enough to receive a placement, check out the amazing Student to New Grad webinars, offered by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association. 

11 tips for acing that new grad interview

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Are you ready for your New Grad Interview? Whether you’re interviewing for the public system or a private health provider, here are The Lamp‘s top tips.

  1. Arrive with plenty of time before your interview

Punctuality is key for any job interview – including nursing and midwifery. Being on time shows your future employer that you’re reliable and know how to manage your time.

Make a plan for how you will get there, and allow extra time in case of traffic, transport delays or other disasters. Familiarise yourself with the venue – ideally with an extra visit to the site in the days preceding your interview. Know where to park, how to get to the interview room, and who to ask for at reception.

Even the most prepared can’t predict the worst from happening though! If you do need to call, make sure you call ahead of time.

  1. Be polite to everyone – including the receptionist

You are being judged potentially from the moment you leave the car or enter the hospital building. In environments like health facilities, word can travel quickly if you’re rude or snarky. Make sure you remain polite to all members of staff and other candidates – it could affect the way the panel see you.

  1. Make eye contact with every member of the panel

Treat every member of the interview panel with the respect and courtesy they deserve – remember, your upcoming career is literally in their hands. Make sure to introduce yourself to each one of them, and to make eye contact. First impressions count, particularly during interviews.

  1. It’s OK to be nervous – but don’t over-apologise for it

Everyone gets nervous during job interviews. It’s a natural reaction for dealing with stressful situations – and the interviewers know this. Practice deep breathing, slow down, and drink some water to help calm your nerves. If you must, feel free to apologise once for your nerves, but never overdo it.

  1. Listen carefully

In interviews, listening can be as important as speaking. Practice active listening, and ensure you get all parts of the interviewer’s questions. Bring a pen and some paper, so that you can write down the components of multi-faceted questions. If you feel that you didn’t fully understand a question, don’t be afraid to ask for the question to be repeated or clarified.

  1. Be professional in how you talk

New Grad interviews are formal and professional interviews, and you should treat them as such. Use language that a Midwife or Registered Nurse would use. Avoid slang or swearing, and don’t make derogatory comments about previous workplaces. Be careful with your use of humour, and aim it towards yourself, rather than members of the panel.

  1. Be aware of your mannerisms

People can have some very strange mannerisms during interviews. From speeding up your speech, to tapping and scratching, and even forgetting your points, your reaction to nerves can affect the way you perform in an interview. Be aware of these mannerisms, and be prepared to address them. Some tips may be to practice deep breathing, being aware of the speed of your speech, and drinking some water or asking for clarification to slow down the pace of conversation.

The way you present – including your mannerisms – makes a difference | Photo Credit: Canva
  1. Don’t talk to much – communicate clearly and succinctly

Key to being a health professional is our ability to communicate to patients and colleagues in a clear and succinct way. When addressing the panel’s questions, pause to think about what the question entails, and address each point one by one. Don’t ramble or delve too deeply into unrelated anecdotes – these show an inability to manage time effectively and to communicate in an appropriate way.

  1. Know your corporate values

There will almost certainly be a question regarding your potential employers’ corporate values in your interview. For those interviewing for the NSW Health GradStart Program, this would be the CORE values – Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment.

Know these values off by heart, and be prepared to answer questions about them and how you would employ them in your practice.

  1. Practice your responses

Practice makes perfect – and that’s especially true for interviewing. Collate a list of potential questions (here’s a bunch we prepared earlier), and practice your answers to them. Ask family members or friends to role play an interview scenario and to assist you with formulating your responses.

  1. Leave a good impression

Make sure you leave the panel with a good impression of you, both personally and professionally. Say goodbye to each member of the panel, thank the panel and shake their hands if it seems appropriate. Have some questions prepared to ask the panel. Offer to take away a used cup of water, and make sure you take away any rubbish with you. These small steps can leave a positive taste in their mouths.

Let us know if you have any other great tips! If you need any more support, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association members can call 02 8595 1234. If you’re not yet a member, you can also sign up here.

And if you’re lucky enough to receive a placement, check out the amazing Student to New Grad workshops, offered by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association. 

3 Questions they will ask in new grad interviews

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Want to get a sneak peek into the questions you’ll likely to get in your interviews? Here are the 3 types of questions we reckon you should be prepared to answer!

  1. Skills and knowledge-based questions
Panellists may want to know well you know about your professional obligations, including those relating to social media | Photo Credit: Canva

Potentially the most straight-forward of the three, skills and knowledge-based questions test what you know and what qualities you have. Questions of this variety include:

  • What are your professional obligations when using social media? (FYI, here’s the answer)
  • What qualities do you have that will make you a successful RN/ midwife?
  • How will you maintain your professional education?
  • Why did you choose a career in nursing/midwifery?
  1. Behavioural questions
Interviewers will ask questions about how you’ll adapt to certain situations – so be prepared with your answers! | Photo Credit: Canva

Behavioural questions test your previous behaviours, with the aim of giving interviewers an insight as to how you would react in given situations.

Behavioural questions should be answered using the STAR method. This stands for:

S – Situation (setting the scene)

T – Task (describe the purpose)

A – Action (explain what you did)

R – Result (what was the outcome)

Examples of behavioural questions include:

  • Tell us about a time when you had to adapt to a situation in the workplace over which you had no control
  • Describe a positive experience that occurred during your clinical placement. Why was that significant?
  • Recount a time you experienced conflict, and how it was resolved.
  1. Situational questions
Scenario questions are very common in interviews, so you best be prepared | Photo Credit: Canva

Situational questions – also known as scenario questions – assess your responses to potential incidents in the workplace. When answering these questions, you should address any issues that may arise from the scenario – including professional, legal and ethical issues. You can also use a story to highlight a previous incident which you may have faced that has similarities to the scenario at hand – but don’t forget the STAR method.

Examples of situational questions include:

  • You have a diabetic patient who is not communicative. What do you do?
  • What would you do if you witnessed a colleague administering an incorrect drug?
  • You are caring for a patient who refuses all treatment. What action would you take?
  • What would

Now it’s your turn to ace that interview! If you need any more support, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association members can call 02 8595 1234. If you’re not yet a member, you can also sign up here.

And if you’re lucky enough to receive a placement, check out the amazing Student to New Grad workshops, offered by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association. 

This article was prepared with the help of Central Coast LHD’s Gradstart Guide, as provided by UON Careers.