What are you guys doing now?

[Ourinnerchild]

I'm currently trying to stay a float in the sea that is Chemistry in B.Sci. Aiming to get into medicine like most of my cohort (haha) but the odds are against me with Monash and Flinders closing their doors and the amount of highly intelligent people in B.Sci that I've met so far. Although my ideal/dream job is surgery I don't mind going into a post-grad course that focuses on immunology.

Job wise, I'm currently jobless and will most likely stay so until my undergrad finishes. In the mean time I've been looking into volunteering positions and in the process for applying for them.

Props to you for doing this! My supervisor during my work experience at a hospital told me how much he hated working in aged care because of the things you mentioned. He also said that most health professionals that he had worked with didn't enjoy it as well. Again I applaud you

Wow, well done on doing Chem in B.Sci, I think Biology is probably the only science i can handle (not to say im not interested in the others, but i dont think i'd be able to do it haha) Don't give up on medicine, even if you think it seems unlikely because you never know what the future holds What surgery (field?) would you prefer to go into? Immunology also sounds equally fascinating but I guess it's really what you decided to do at the end of the day 
Where have you applied for volunteering-wise?

[Ourinnerchild]

It was at the start, but since I'm in my last semester now with weekly assessment for 4 subjects... it really is all about time management for me which i'm currently handling at the moment. This experience is so valuable for my future aspirations, so I try not to think about the difficulty
IT and Mathematics. I've got the requirements to teach in Maths as well. Benefits of a degree with room to move via electives!

That's so great! Glad you're keeping focused on the brighter side of things! that's pretty awesome, at least you're not only restricted to IT (which I feel like many secondary schools don't teach or only teach until year 7/8?) Hopefully all goes well for you!

[strawberries]

Currently in Year 12 and if all goes well I should finish high school this year
And hopefully if that works out I will take a gap year next year before going to uni.
Still have 0 idea of what kind of area I want to work in when I'm older although I do have some ideas on what degree I want to pursue

[Kalopsic]

I've only ever done some time in Aged Care Psychiatry, can confirm it is a challenging rotation. I think patients who suffer from dementia are very difficult to manage (due to no fault of their own!) and I really admire the staff who work around that patient demographic.

I admire all those who work in the hospital but especially those in aged care, ER, ICU and paediatricians. I don't think I could ever work in a children's hospital because it's such a depressing place to be. Just to switch directions from that dark place, in your placement, did you get to rotate in each ward?

Wow, well done on doing Chem in B.Sci, I think Biology is probably the only science i can handle (not to say im not interested in the others, but i dont think i'd be able to do it haha) Don't give up on medicine, even if you think it seems unlikely because you never know what the future holds What surgery (field?) would you prefer to go into? Immunology also sounds equally fascinating but I guess it's really what you decided to do at the end of the day 
Where have you applied for volunteering-wise?

Yeah biology is my calling. Chemistry just doesn't interest me at all but unfortunately is a pre-requisite subject for a range of subjects in the majors I'm looking at and for the pre-requisite medicine subjects. The whole surgery field interests me but specifically Trauma and orthopaedic surgery.

A lot of the human orientated majors such as pathology, physiology and neuroscience interest me but I'm more of a practical "hands on" type of person. I find the idea of research a bit tedious but I really do enjoy biology pracs so who knows hahaha.

I haven't applied anywhere yet only filling out forms slowly when I have the time. I was meant to hand in my form to Royal Melbourne Hospital at the end of last year but wasn't sure on my availability because I hadn't experienced uni yet and since they only accept applications in yearly cycles, I have to wait again to the end of this year. I've been looking at St Johns Ambulance since I have already done my CPR and bronze life saving certificates (need to attend a refresh course to get them renewed) and Victoria State Emergency Service because I love physical labor plus you learn skills that can be applied in real life

[Dejan]

In first year of uni, looking to major in Philosophy and something else which I haven't figured out quite yet. I have been wanting to get a job as I am lacking work experience but I have been a bit lazy and haven't really bothered to go search for jobs. My dream job now is go into Academia for Philosophy but I feeling pretty doubtful as to that actually occurring because I am not getting the marks I want and also, I don't think I am really good at Philosophy. I am pretty worried about the future because I have no idea how it is going to pan out. 

[pi]

I admire all those who work in the hospital but especially those in aged care, ER, ICU and paediatricians. I don't think I could ever work in a children's hospital because it's such a depressing place to be. Just to switch directions from that dark place, in your placement, did you get to rotate in each ward?

My experience on the paediatric ward differed from those assumptions haha. Even in paediatric oncology, which I thought was going to be the most depressing experience ever, everyone was very cheery! I guess it's all about making kids feel better (and be better), so usually adults get themselves in order and keep the atmosphere positive. Furthermore, on average, kids who have cancer usually do pretty well, you'd expect the average kid with cancer to survive and live a normal life! The adult oncology ward though... Now that's depressing.

edit: don't get me wrong, there are some very sad kids who are really sick, but I think they're the minority, or at least that's the case from my experience

I think a very undervalued specialty is that of general practice. We all thank the interventional cardiologist who put a stent in someone's coronary artery to save their life, but no one really pays tribute to the average GP who may prevent 200 such heart attacks through their work in preventative medicine and management of cardiovascular risk factors. Props to GPs!

In terms of rotations, here at Monash we have three clinical years:
- Third year: rotation through some (unfortunately not everyone gets to see all of the wards, there's just not enough time!) medical and surgical specialties (eg. cardiology, neurosurgery, etc.)
- Fourth year: rotations through paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, and GP land
- Fifth year: rotations in stuff you're mainly interested in with some loose guidelines

[Ourinnerchild]

Currently in Year 12 and if all goes well I should finish high school this year
And hopefully if that works out I will take a gap year next year before going to uni.
Still have 0 idea of what kind of area I want to work in when I'm older although I do have some ideas on what degree I want to pursue

Hopefully this year goes well for you and the gap year as well. Any ideas on where to go for your gap year? That's great that you know roughly what degree what you want to do, you can always discover what career you're going to pursue later on in life

I admire all those who work in the hospital but especially those in aged care, ER, ICU and paediatricians. I don't think I could ever work in a children's hospital because it's such a depressing place to be. Just to switch directions from that dark place, in your placement, did you get to rotate in each ward?

Yeah biology is my calling. Chemistry just doesn't interest me at all but unfortunately is a pre-requisite subject for a range of subjects in the majors I'm looking at and for the pre-requisite medicine subjects. The whole surgery field interests me but specifically Trauma and orthopaedic surgery.

A lot of the human orientated majors such as pathology, physiology and neuroscience interest me but I'm more of a practical "hands on" type of person. I find the idea of research a bit tedious but I really do enjoy biology pracs so who knows hahaha.

I haven't applied anywhere yet only filling out forms slowly when I have the time. I was meant to hand in my form to Royal Melbourne Hospital at the end of last year but wasn't sure on my availability because I hadn't experienced uni yet and since they only accept applications in yearly cycles, I have to wait again to the end of this year. I've been looking at St Johns Ambulance since I have already done my CPR and bronze life saving certificates (need to attend a refresh course to get them renewed) and Victoria State Emergency Service because I love physical labor plus you learn skills that can be applied in real life

Hahah biology lovers unite! Yeah it is pretty frustrating that chem is a prereq, but I can also appreciate the fact that it is useful for many of the science-based degrees. Trauma and orthopaedic surgery sounds pretty awesome! But i guess it would be pretty confronting at the same time, so I applaud your guts!
I can't say anything about the other places, but I'm a St Johns Cadet Member (basically I'm an underage member, until next year really) and it's pretty damn cool! I mean, i get to go to duties with them, my first one was at one of the Xavier Sports days earlier this year we had a lot of sprains/possible dislocations, a finger that went through the blender, a suspected concussion (the guy with it didn't come, only his dad asking for panadol which we couldn't give to him without seeing the patient first) and an elbow cut caused by teeth all in all, it was a pretty exciting experience haha

[heids]

Kudos to Ourinnerchild btw, it's pretty cool to be finding out some of this basic stuff about everyone

Props to you for doing this! My supervisor during my work experience at a hospital told me how much he hated working in aged care because of the things you mentioned. He also said that most health professionals that he had worked with didn't enjoy it as well. Again I applaud you

Well, yeah, it's... fun.

Five minutes in an aged care worker's life

'I'm feeling breathless.'  ['Take some nice, deep breaths.'] 

* 20 second interval *

'I'm feeling breathless.' ['Just go on with those nice, deep breaths.']

* 10 second interval *

'I'm feeling a bit breathless today.'  ['Well, how about you take some big breaths, and then we'll get breakfast.']

* 15 second interval *

'I'm feeling quite breathless right now.' ['Well, just keep taking those deep breaths and you'll be back in bed in a minute.']

* 10 second interval *

'You just f off!  This is disgusting!  Yuck!  I hate you!' * bites your hand * [* at least sighs with relief that she didn't say she was breathless *]

['Oops sorry, just got to dash out and get a towel... I'll be right back...']

[* gets back to find her starkers out in the corridor *]

['How about we... err... come back in here now'.]

'Well I can't...
... I'm feeling a bit too...
breathless today.'

Repeat that formula, daily.

Though tbh that's all the fun, they're really lovely *half* the time and the other half gives you good stories to tell at home...

In first year of uni, looking to major in Philosophy and something else which I haven't figured out quite yet. I have been wanting to get a job as I am lacking work experience but I have been a bit lazy and haven't really bothered to go search for jobs. My dream job now is go into Academia for Philosophy but I feeling pretty doubtful as to that actually occurring because I am not getting the marks I want and also, I don't think I am really good at Philosophy. I am pretty worried about the future because I have no idea how it is going to pan out. 

Must be pretty stressful bro yeah, academia is a murderous field to try and get into... Well all the best with that - are you interested in any other sorts of jobs?  You can always transfer at the end of the year if necessary I suppose.

I think a very undervalued specialty is that of general practice. We all thank the interventional cardiologist who put a stent in someone's coronary artery to save their life, but no one really pays tribute to the average GP who may prevent 200 such heart attacks through their work in preventative medicine and management of cardiovascular risk factors. Props to GPs!

All with ya there.

[Ourinnerchild]

In first year of uni, looking to major in Philosophy and something else which I haven't figured out quite yet. I have been wanting to get a job as I am lacking work experience but I have been a bit lazy and haven't really bothered to go search for jobs. My dream job now is go into Academia for Philosophy but I feeling pretty doubtful as to that actually occurring because I am not getting the marks I want and also, I don't think I am really good at Philosophy. I am pretty worried about the future because I have no idea how it is going to pan out. 

Hey keep your chin up, I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you want to major in alongside Philosophy. Philosophy sounds really interesting btw, what are your electives(?) for it currently? I'm sure you'll do fine in whatever you decide to do, whether it is to continue Philosophy or have a completely different goal. Just remember to keep trying your hardest and don't get too bummed down about things

[strawberries]

Hopefully this year goes well for you and the gap year as well. Any ideas on where to go for your gap year? That's great that you know roughly what degree what you want to do, you can always discover what career you're going to pursue later on in life

Probably not gonna travel haha (but my mum says she wants to take time off work next year so she can travel to China/Asia with me even if it's just for a couple of months)
But yeah, I would probably try and earn money because I'm considering moving interstate (ANU) for uni (but then again still not 100% sure but I would like to) and that costs $$$ to live there so I would live to save up

[Ourinnerchild]

Kudos to Ourinnerchild btw, it's pretty cool to be finding out some of this basic stuff about everyone

Hahah can you tell how much I'm fangirling right now? It's so great to hear from everyone so far, it's so diverse and frankly more eye-opening then any of my Pathway classes in year 10 lol I'm just so glad so many people have responded

[Ourinnerchild]

Probably not gonna travel haha (but my mum says she wants to take time off work next year so she can travel to China/Asia with me even if it's just for a couple of months)
But yeah, I would probably try and earn money because I'm considering moving interstate (ANU) for uni (but then again still not 100% sure but I would like to) and that costs $$$ to live there so I would live to save up

Hahah sorry for assuming travel, I basically just automatically think that when i hear gap year for some reason  But it would be so cool if you could go to Asia with your mum. Hahah fair enough, sounds exciting that you're considering interstate options, what degrees are you looking at?

[strawberries]

Hahah sorry for assuming travel, I basically just automatically think that when i hear gap year for some reason  But it would be so cool if you could go to Asia with your mum. Hahah fair enough, sounds exciting that you're considering interstate options, what degrees are you looking at?

Yeah most people usually assume travel
Mainly looking at arts, maybe do a double with comm or sci still don't know. Don't think I'll get high enough for law (although a Melbourne JD would be a dream as a postgrad) and i'm also considering education but yeah rn it's mainly arts and still deciding if i should double, and if so which double!

PS. This thread is a cool idea (y)

[Dejan]

Must be pretty stressful bro yeah, academia is a murderous field to try and get into... Well all the best with that - are you interested in any other sorts of jobs?  You can always transfer at the end of the year if necessary I suppose.
All with ya there.

Yeah it definitely is, it feels like I am wasting my time at uni since I am doing so average. Well I am interested in law, to be a barrister and psychology, to be a psychologist but I can't even transfer even if I wanted to- I got a low wam. I have no idea if I want to pursue other fields.

[Kalopsic]

My experience on the paediatric ward differed from those assumptions haha. Even in paediatric oncology, which I thought was going to be the most depressing experience ever, everyone was very cheery! I guess it's all about making kids feel better (and be better), so usually adults get themselves in order and keep the atmosphere positive. Furthermore, on average, kids who have cancer usually do pretty well, you'd expect the average kid with cancer to survive and live a normal life! The adult oncology ward though... Now that's depressing.

edit: don't get me wrong, there are some very sad kids who are really sick, but I think they're the minority, or at least that's the case from my experience

I think a very undervalued specialty is that of general practice. We all thank the interventional cardiologist who put a stent in someone's coronary artery to save their life, but no one really pays tribute to the average GP who may prevent 200 such heart attacks through their work in preventative medicine and management of cardiovascular risk factors. Props to GPs!

In terms of rotations, here at Monash we have three clinical years:
- Third year: rotation through some (unfortunately not everyone gets to see all of the wards, there's just not enough time!) medical and surgical specialties (eg. cardiology, neurosurgery, etc.)
- Fourth year: rotations through paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, and GP land
- Fifth year: rotations in stuff you're mainly interested in with some loose guidelines

I should have clarified that in terms of depressing, I meant for myself because seeing children who have barely started their lives going through these things that they have no control over. My cousin worked as a H.I.M at one and said that each staff member had something to put on during the day that acted as a mental barrier to not breakdown and when they put it on, they carried through the day as usual. After hearing that I have so much profound respect for them. I'm glad to hear that children have a higher chance of recovery.

I've never really thought about GP's which goes to show how undervalued they are like you said. Perhaps it's because we only hear about the incidents where a misdiagnoses happens and never about how they saved a life by referring patients to a specialist. The latter stories usually credit the patient for going to the GP rather than the GP's diagnosis.

That sounds amazing and I'm very jealous that you get to do placements albeit it was because of your hard work that you got into the course in the first place haha! In your opinion, which ward did you find the most interesting whether that be in regards to diagnosis's or the responsibilities undertaken by those who worked within that ward?

Hahah biology lovers unite! Yeah it is pretty frustrating that chem is a prereq, but I can also appreciate the fact that it is useful for many of the science-based degrees. Trauma and orthopaedic surgery sounds pretty awesome! But i guess it would be pretty confronting at the same time, so I applaud your guts!
I can't say anything about the other places, but I'm a St Johns Cadet Member (basically I'm an underage member, until next year really) and it's pretty damn cool! I mean, i get to go to duties with them, my first one was at one of the Xavier Sports days earlier this year we had a lot of sprains/possible dislocations, a finger that went through the blender, a suspected concussion (the guy with it didn't come, only his dad asking for panadol which we couldn't give to him without seeing the patient first) and an elbow cut caused by teeth all in all, it was a pretty exciting experience haha

I see the relevance with chemistry in regards to life in general but it's just not for me. Hold that applause since it's one thing to say I want to do it and another to actually be able to do it haha.
Oh nice! Part of the reason I wanted to volunteer was because there's always crazy stories like these coming from these first aid positions. What was their selection process like if you remember?