I'm a nurse. Ask me anything about nursing

[Donut]

 

yeah agree. small dog go clinic smelly smelly also $100+.

 

last time, my sis's dog which we were fostering a rat n got bitten on the nose. got c vet, came out of clinic $300+ poorer. then nvr learnt it's lesson, after that,still go hunt rat.

 

now, with a small bunny, ear infection also need $70+.

 

plus, being a vet, if patient passed away, emotional recovery is faster than that of a doctor or nurse for all that matters.

 

u r so right.

 

Vets, unlike medical docs, are not regulated to the dot. Their fees are not regulated. They can charge whatever as long as pet owners are willing to pay.

 

And their patients (animals) won't complain like human patients. Pet owners normally put alot of trust on the vets

[Philipkee]

Wah. So many comments. I will answer as I can

 

Last time

Certificate of Nursing = Registered Nurse

These people tend to be aunties now and they were trained in the old way, scolding and such and thus you can see they can be loud mouthed

 

Now

Diploma/ Degree in nursing = Registered Nurse

As we develop, while Diploma is still the most common route to becoming a Registered Nurse in Singapore, people go for top up degrees now because the progession is very slow without a degree.

 

Without a degree, I believe the progression stops at SSN level though there are some who are contented to stay that way.

 

ITE in nursing = Enrolled nurses.

Enrolled nurses need to go for a top up course before they can be Registered nurses. There are exceptions for foreigners because they are already Registered Nurses in their country but just that they need clinical experience before they can be promoted.

 

 

BTW, that is exception. Enrolled nurses can only be promoted to Principal Enrolled Nurse and not a Registered nurse. Something like a WOSE can only become MWO but never become 2LT unless he goes for another course (modified OCS??)

 

Salary raises are double edged because any raise is publicised and people do complain to say that they have paid for our raises through theier taxes and why are we still so slow........

 

As for pay, there is usually a pay cap though the govt is increasing the pay. The issue now is that overseas is recruiting and their pay is much higher with better hours so it is hard to blame people for wanting higher pay in Singapore when other countries are paying much more for less work.

 

I also wanna go overseas but still am here so haiz.........

[Super7]

 

tangkee earn how much

 

depends, local ones more ex than imported ones?

[Evillusion]

 

tangkee earn how much

you already drive a tank........so you can be considered a tankee........hahaha!

[Super7]

Maybe this is trivial:-

 

Is there a national colour code for nurses' uniform? or different hospitals have their own code?

 

When i was warded last year, i saw different colours.

 

Some female nurses wear pants, some skirts also. Male nurses always wear pants.

 

 

[LoverofCar]

I realise that there have been questions popping up about SCDF and ambulance. From contacts with my friends and even family members, there seem to be a lot of misconception of what we do in the nursing field. What we can do, what we cannot do, bed situation and the such.

 

Following from Hardwarezone threads, I thought it might be helpful if I started a thread on nursing.

 

A little background.

 

Graduated from nursing over 15 years ago

Worked in C class and B2 ward in a restructured hospital

Worked in major OT in restructured and private hospital

Worked in Accident and Emergency department in restructured and private hospital

Lecturer in nursing

 

Attachments include SCDF posting when going for a specialist course

Of course the on and off volunteer missions overseas

 

So ask me anything. If I can answer without compromising my identity or place I work, I will do so, within reason.

 

p/s with O levels coming out soon, this thread is also for those who might consider nursing as a career but cannot seem to get the on the ground info

 

 

 

can give us an insight to the salary scale of being a nurse? from Junior nurse up to officer nurse and etc?

 

 

[oleandero]

so what the difference in duties for different levels of nurses? the higher you go, the less hands on you have with patients?

[Philipkee]

Maybe this is trivial:-

 

Is there a national colour code for nurses' uniform? or different hospitals have their own code?

 

When i was warded last year, i saw different colours.

 

Some female nurses wear pants, some skirts also. Male nurses always wear pants.

 

 

 

 

No national code. Used to be white. Different hospitals have their own colours.

 

Males always wear pants.

 

Females can choose.

In the ED and some specialised areas, they wear scrubs which is always pants

 

BTW, this may sound a bit tiko but usually I tell the nurses when they go to A&E for posting to wear pants because if they have to jum,p on trolley to go CPR, the people behind may view the "things that should not be viewed".

 

That is why some places all wear pants and some areas it is mixed.

 

Same ward but different colours? Possible. Cos the different colours denote different ranks. Like SN and SSN usually same colour, NMs different colour, ENs different colours

 

The trick is when they wear scrubs. Usually all wear same colour so it is harder to tell the difference. In the OT, during my time, the colour of the cap tells the difference.

[Evillusion]

No national code. Used to be white. Different hospitals have their own colours.

 

Males always wear pants.

 

Females can choose.

In the ED and some specialised areas, they wear scrubs which is always pants

 

BTW, this may sound a bit tiko but usually I tell the nurses when they go to A&E for posting to wear pants because if they have to jum,p on trolley to go CPR, the people behind may view the "things that should not be viewed".

 

That is why some places all wear pants and some areas it is mixed.

 

Same ward but different colours? Possible. Cos the different colours denote different ranks. Like SN and SSN usually same colour, NMs different colour, ENs different colours

 

The trick is when they wear scrubs. Usually all wear same colour so it is harder to tell the difference. In the OT, during my time, the colour of the cap tells the difference.

ladt yr i visited my aunt in ttsh.....one of the nurse was wearing scrubs but was wearing heavy make-up......kana kan by doctor and staff nurse.....that was really a sight! But she went on doing her job dutifully.....quite chio with the make-up...maybe trying to attract a young doctor......hahaha.

[Philipkee]

 

can give us an insight to the salary scale of being a nurse? from Junior nurse up to officer nurse and etc?

 

 

I started off with $1400 in 2001.

 

Rule of thumb

$50 plus for every year worked

$100 - $200 for every promotion

 

So SN2 - SN1 - SSN2 - SSN1 is about $800 dollars increment. In terms of years works it depends on hospital. In my side, SN2 to SSN 2 is about 6 years. So that is about $1100 dollars increment.

 

WIth degree and advance dip allowance, ahout $300 plus

 

With shift, depenmding on the nights, it is 300 - $500

 

So those nurses who do shift duty tend to earn more but their health so get affected due to irregular sleep and eating patterns.

 

Those who work office hours are a bit better off but without allowances, they earn less

 

For officer nurse, it depends on how u negotiate if u change jobs. Otherwise the rule of thumb of $200 still applies.

 

That is why many nurses change hospitals once in a while

 

 

BTW, this is opnly a guideline so just as a rougfh guide. Different hospitals have different increments and when the govt announces goodies for nurses, things change again.

[Ingenius]

Nursing the pay is low, and the work is hard work. And also must be disciplined on the job and must wear uniform. Cannot dye colourful hair , wear watch or ear ring while on duty, must plan leave way ahead, cannot take leave last minute, low pay increment, work place very cold, have to adjust to shift hours, have training and volunteer work on off days, if pricked by needle must go for blood test, suay suay kana hypB or hiv, hospital wont take care of you . One more, nurses always have physical pain from work, like back pain, due to carry patient on bed to turn them.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Ingenius

[Lala81]

The thing i dislike most about nursing is the hierarchy.

 

The Matriarchal way things are done...

Not many nurses can take this kinda work environment especially with the younger generations.

[Evillusion]

Nursing the pay is low, and the work is hard work. And also must be disciplined on the job and must wear uniform. Cannot dye colourful hair , wear watch or ear ring while on duty, must plan leave way ahead, cannot take leave last minute, low pay increment, work place very cold, have to adjust to shift hours, have training and volunteer work on off days, if pricked by needle must go for blood test, suay suay kana hypB or hiv, hospital wont take care of you . One more, nurses always have physical pain from work, like back pain, due to carry patient on bed to turn them.

sometime i really cannot tahan when those higher ups give speech.....integral part of the system lar.....important function of the organisation lar....a bridge between A and C lar......without the dedication and passion the organisation wont be what it is now lar.....but come pay suddenly they say must be proactive....dont be calculative. The earlier mouthpiece just become a lip service.......

The thing i dislike most about nursing is the hierarchy.

 

The Matriarchal way things are done...

Not many nurses can take this kinda work environment especially with the younger generations.

Women mar........guys wont get it.......hahaha!

[Rollagt]

Can i ask if a person had no dip in nursing, is there any job opportunities in healthcare ?

 

While in NS, am trained as a medic with skills in IV, IM, resus (basic)

[Evillusion]

Can i ask if a person had no dip in nursing, is there any job opportunities in healthcare ?

 

While in NS, am trained as a medic with skills in IV, IM, resus (basic)

my classmates was a medic during ns....ROD he straight away join TTSH as a nurse.....last i met him he was already a staff nurse. Guys in that line has faster promotion then their female counterpart due to lack of male nurse. I talked with a dental assistant that serves schools.....9-5 job and all the patients are students. Pays roughly about the same as nurses and the male dental assistants are usually promoted faster due to the same reasons as male nurse.

[Ingenius]

With the upcoming hospital in jurong and sengkang, more health care workers are needed soon. I think there will be a severe shortage of Lica nurses and more foreign nurses will have to be imported. But these ft their contractual pay is very low.

[Philipkee]

Can i ask if a person had no dip in nursing, is there any job opportunities in healthcare ?

 

While in NS, am trained as a medic with skills in IV, IM, resus (basic)

No unless he wants to be a HCA.

 

To be a RN or EN, he HAS TO go through the ITE or Dip in Nursing.

 

my classmates was a medic during ns....ROD he straight away join TTSH as a nurse.....last i met him he was already a staff nurse. Guys in that line has faster promotion then their female counterpart due to lack of male nurse. I talked with a dental assistant that serves schools.....9-5 job and all the patients are students. Pays roughly about the same as nurses and the male dental assistants are usually promoted faster due to the same reasons as male nurse.

 

It is likely that he got his diploma BEFORE NS or got it after NS. Without the diploma or degree, he CANNOT be a registered nurse in Singapore. Of course, he will be advantaged with his training but this does not mean he does not need that piece of paper.

 

Promotion wise, not really. It seems that way. Cos you see, one male nurse promoted can mean 100% of male nurses in that ward promoted while for females, 10 promoted might not even be 40% Then again, male nurses lack some exposure in training due to the fact that they do not go for posting in Obstretics and Gynae. I know cos I was once the only male RN in the ward for 6 months

[Carnoob]

The Mediacorp drama 你也可以是天使 kept emphasizing on Advanced Practice Nurse or something along that line. I respect Nurses but that drama spells too much propaganda right from the start and it does not seem to portray a realistic picture of nursing life at all (when I compare it to my Nursing friends' experience. I rather watch past Mediacorp productions similar to the forensic drama donkey years ago 'Fa Yi Gu Shi' than this cheesy Nurse drama with all the extremely mediocre actors like Elvin Ng and the SG 'supermodel' girl Sheila Sim.

I don't watch any MC drama that is based on jobs... eg. 警徽天职, 你也可以是天使 these are specially dramatized... Police work is never so glamorous and I believe nurses are not always "angels"...