Variety Club Ward - General Medical Isolation
"We are a highly skilled team of friendly nurses able to transfer our broad knowledge base over an interesting and varied case mix."
Variety Club Ward, located on level 3 of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, is a general medical and isolation unit. Variety Ward caters for up to 18 patients each nursed in either single or double rooms. We nurse a wide range of patients in this ward, for example those with contagious childhood diseases and contacts of those diseases, eg chicken pox, measles, rubella, mumps, and bronchiolitis, eg RSV, influenza, parainfluenza, vaccine or preventable diseases such as pertussis (whooping cough) and meningitis, dermatological conditions, eg eczema, respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, pneumonia, and cystic fibrosis. At all times there are Oncology patients in Variety because they are very susceptible to infectious illnesses.
Rostering practice
Flexible lifestyle-friendly rotating shift rostering practices are offered on Variety Club ward. This includes self-rostering and negotiation. Most staff currently work 12 hour shifts. Permanent night shifts are offered. An open door style of management operates which encourages team work and staff participation.
Education assistance
We offer access to education through CNE support. Regular in service programs – both ward-based and CHW wide – are conducted. Study leave, eg university and the College of Nursing, is available, as is seminar and conference leave.
Orientation:
After attending the Education Centre's orientation program, support for new staff continues on the ward.
Along with initial supernumerary days, a preceptor experience is made available for a negotiated time, depending on prior paediatric experience. There is also guidance from ward CNS’s available on shift.
Professional Development
Nursing staff are given opportunities for advancement and secondment to higher-grade duties. Professional and personal growth is also encouraged.
Our team values include a sense of humour, commitment to family focussed care and a sense of unit/team belonging.
For information about employment in Variety Club Ward, please contact Sonia Smith, Nurse Unit Manager, on (02) 9845 1063.