what is a general nurse?
As a general nurse, you perform a range of responsibilities to care for patients in medical settings. You work in hospitals, private clinics, aged care homes and community settings like schools and rural communities. Within a hospital, you work in various departments providing care to patients in intensive care, theatre or maternity.
Nurses in New Zealand are responsible for basic patient care duties like giving medications or administering injections. They also operate medical equipment to provide diagnostic assistance to doctors. As a general nurse, you are the link between a doctor and the patient, providing support in multiple health situations. You work alongside other nurses and healthcare professionals to ensure positive patient outcomes.
Educating patients is a crucial aspect of the profession. It can positively affect a patient's life and help them to improve. As a general nurse, you share knowledge about health and wellbeing to provide lifestyle improvements.
The main benefit of nursing is the ability to work in different areas or choose a speciality to pursue. For instance, you can work with elderly patients and people with disabilities or specialise in adult, child or newborn care. You can also work outdoors as part of a cruise ship medical team or flying medical services.
general nurse rolesaverage salary of a general nurse
General nurses earn an average salary of between $76,000 to $95,000 annually in New Zealand. Nurses with minimal experience and educational qualifications start with a salary of $67,000 per year. With experience, additional qualifications and specialisation, your earnings can increase to $144,000 annually. Aside from the base salary, you can increase your remuneration by taking extra shifts or working overtime. You may work part-time in various facilities since most nursing roles are on shifts. Nurses also receive benefits like annual leave days, medical and life insurance and various allowances.
what factors affect the salary of a general nurse?
As a general nurse, your experience and qualifications dictate your remuneration package. Improving your skills raises your salary prospects. Your area of specialisation can also enhance your wages. For instance, if you work in intensive care, your earnings are higher compared with other nurses. The location also impacts your remuneration since general nurses' salaries are determined by region. Generally, if you work in metro areas and large cities, your salary is higher due to greater demand and the higher cost of living.
types of general nurses
The types of general nurses in New Zealand depend on their specialisation and the level of training or qualifications they possess. Some types of nurses include:
- enrolled nurse: an enrolled nurse usually has completed a diploma in enrolled nursing and meets the designated standards of practice. They work under general nurses and provide basic patient care like reading treatment plans and recording patients' temperature and blood pressure readings.
- clinical nurses: as a clinical nurse, you have the qualifications of a general nurse and additional training in a specialised area of care. A clinical nurse can train in specific diseases like diabetes or specialise in paediatrics care.
- nurse practitioner: a nursing practitioner has:
- worked as a general nurse for at least four years
- completed a Master's degree that is accredited by the Nursing Council
- passed a Nursing Council of New Zealand assessment.
working as a general nurse
A general nurse is a care worker who helps patients by administering recommended treatments. The job is hands-on, and you will spend most of the day working on your feet. Here are the job expectations in the role, including daily tasks:
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general nurse job description
The duties and responsibilities of a general nurse include:
- recording patients' symptoms: as a general nurse, you ask patients about the symptoms they are experiencing and record their vitals to simplify doctors' diagnostic processes. You update the patient's medical records with the new diagnosis and the doctor's recommended treatment plan. You also gather information from a patient's file like allergies, current medications and relevant family history that will help with a diagnosis.
- administering treatments: as a general nurse, you participate in developing treatment plans and administering medications prescribed by physicians. You also treat minor injuries, clean and dress wounds, insert and remove catheters and change bandages.
- performing diagnostic tests: during diagnosis, the doctor may recommend various tests on the patient. As a general nurse, you collect blood, tissue, urine or stool samples and send them to the lab for analysis. You are also responsible for analysing the results of the tests and sharing your findings with the team.
- conducting physical examinations: as a general nurse, you assess the overall health of a patient before they begin a new treatment plan. For instance, you need to determine their temperature, blood pressure and heartbeat. You also test a patient's reflexes, examine their throat, eyes, ears and nose, and inform the medical team of their health condition.
- providing support and advice to patients: as a general nurse, you must ensure the patient is comfortable and understands the treatment plan. You also provide support when patients receive challenging medical news and advise them on ways to improve their health.
- educating patients on managing illnesses: as a general nurse, you educate patients on various symptoms and ways of managing them. You also explain post-treatment home care and provide clear instructions about when a patient needs to see a doctor immediately. You can recommend rehabilitative exercises or practices to improve patients' health.
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work environment
As a general nurse, you work in GP surgeries, clinics and hospitals. You can also work with the military or academic institutions. Your work environment depends on your area of specialisation and industry sector. For instance, if you offer your services to private companies, you will work in corporate settings, while working in the military involves working outdoors. When you work in hospitals, you spend most of the day on your feet helping patients. You are also required to wear a uniform in healthcare centres.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include doctors, paediatricians and nutritionists. You might also be working in close proximity to midwives and nurse assistants, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, social workers, nursing managers and mental health nurses.
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work schedule
The working hours for nurses in New Zealand vary significantly, and there are always overtime roles available due to shortages in the healthcare system. general nurses often work an average of 38 hours a week which may reduce or increase as you advance or specialise in some areas. Most employers split the work hours into 12-hour shifts over three consecutive days. This gives nurses a 36-hour working week. Since they are rotational, your shifts will range from early mornings to late nights. Apart from your shifts, you are expected to contribute extra time depending on the demands of your job. That means you may work longer hours across holidays and weekends.
Part-time nursing opportunities are also available and pay similar hourly rates to full-time nursing jobs. You can work 24 to 32 hours per week as a part-time general nurse. You also take on additional hours when your healthcare facility is under pressure.
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advantages of finding a general nurse job through randstad
Finding your general nurse job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a general nurse is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
general nurse education and skills
Some of the educational qualifications for a general nurse include:
To become a general nurse you need to:
- complete a Bachelor of Nursing, or other Level 7 or 8 qualification approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand
- pass an assessment by an approved provider
- pass a Nursing Council of New Zealand examination for general nurses.
general nurses also need to register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
- work experience: you need experience in nursing or care work. If you just finished college, you can look for internships and entry-level positions like a nursing assistant to help you gain experience in the field.
general nurse skills and competencies
A general nurse needs the following qualities:
- written and verbal communication: as a general nurse, you communicate with other medical professionals and work closely with the patients' families. Communication skills help you give clear information to various professionals and patients. You may need to explain medical terms to patients in simple terms they can understand. You also need written communication skills to write reports.
- critical thinking: as a general nurse, you need critical thinking skills to make informed patient assessments. Critical thinking also helps you advise patients experiencing difficulties and develop practical solutions to various issues.
- compassion: being compassionate is a valuable quality for general nurses. You need to be empathetic with patients regardless of their condition. Compassion helps you provide emotional support to the patients and their family members.
- teamwork: as a general nurse, you always work in a team and must cooperate with other medical professionals to deliver the best care. Teamwork skills help to collaborate and work alongside others.
FAQs about working as a general nurse
Here are the most asked questions about working as a general nurse:
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what are the qualities of a general nurse?
A general nurse must be empathetic and considerate to patients to provide the best care. You also need stamina and physical fitness to stand for long hours.
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what is the role of a general practice nurse?
As a general practice nurse, you work with the primary healthcare team to assist with patient treatment and care. You deal with minor tasks like treating small injuries.
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what is the highest level of a nurse?
The highest level in nursing is a senior general nurse.
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how do I apply for a general nurse vacancy?
Applying for a general nurse job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our general nurse job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
