Thanks Astra!

Don A.

Most of these agencies had expanded to a point they had lost their identity and personalised approach to what I required in my work and home environment.

When I joined Astra Healthcare in 2008 Trish was happy to accommodate my very specific demands. I was treated with respect and acknowledged for my skills and was placed appropriately in critical care environments such as ICU and ED. I was contacted post these shifts in the first few weeks, to see if the shift went well and If I was happy to return for another shift in the future.

I did not feel pressured to work in areas that I was not comfortable in and my shift preferences would be fulfilled 90 % of the time.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Astra Healthcare which in turn allowed me to relax and make the most of my time in New Zealand and I will return again in the future.

Megan C.

Thanks Astra!

Mo B.

This session is an open forum to discuss why International Nurses are working as everything but Registered Nurses.  Come and join us to talk about the issue of Overseas nurses not getting New Zealand Nursing Registration.  Tell us what is happening to you in your efforts to get registration and the hardships and problems you are facing and the effect on you and your family.

Lets try and find a way forward for overseas nurses as they are greatly needed in our health service.

Everyone welcome.

Many Thanks,

Deepa K.

You should have a complete first aid kit in your home,

If you can’t buy a complete kit or would prefer to make one up yourself, the following list is recommended by The Order of St. John as a minimum guide suitable for families:

● Card listing local emergency numbers but if you are unsure call 111

● Triangular bandages (2)

● Roller bandages – 50 mm (1 roll) and 75mm (2 rolls)

● Sterile gauze – 7.5cm x 7.5 cm (2)

● Adhesive wound dressing – 6cm wide x 1 metre long (1 strip)

● Plasters (1 packet)

● Paracetamol (1 packet)

● Adhesive tape – 25 mm (1 roll)

● Sterile non-adhesive pads – small (2) and large (3)

● Sterile eye pad (1)

● Eye wash container (1)

● Eye wash solution 30 ml (1)

● Antiseptic solution 30 ml (4)

● Safety pins (1 card)

● Scissors (1 pair)

● Tweezers (1 pair)

● Disposable gloves (2 pair)

● First aid manual

Doing a first Aid course is great fun and very helpful, contact St John or your local Plunket office for more information.

Astra Healthcare enjoys bringing you helpful hints and tips – we hope it helps when accidents occur!

Trish Stevens.

We all know that there is a shortage of nurses – not only in New Zealand but worldwide, we see stories about it everyday in the newspapers and on the news.

Talking to my friends, who like me were nursing before we had children or were semi-retired and finding that also like me they wanted to work part time but can only work some days and these days change weekly because of family or other commitments or they are just too busy some weeks. All of this makes it almost impossible to take on a part-time job in the usual way. All of these fantastic nurses are very, very experienced often having been in positions of management. A lot have worked in critical care units and specialise in critical care nursing and of course these areas have the biggest shortage of nursing staff.

With the current shortage of nurses we decided this was such a waste but what could we do about it?

We took action and set up a Wellington based nursing agency offering experienced nurses work in hospitals all over the Wellington region, when they want it and for as many or as few days as they can fit into their busy lives. This agency is run by nurses for nurses, by people passionate about not only healthcare but also Wellington and its communities.

Nurses who work for us let us know when they are available and we find them work that best fits their skills and experience at that point in time. Some can only work weekends, some do not like to work nights etc but all want some part time work. We all want to be valued so we provide the work people want, give them support to do it, and pay them well – and everyone benefits!

We would love others looking for more flexible work to join us.

If you are interested in finding out more please get in touch – we are looking forward to working with you to help reduce the nursing shortage.

Trish Stevens.

The session costs $95 and is free for Astra Healthcare staff. If you would like further information or are interested please contact us on (04) 385 4316 or via email.