In Reply to: Unpaid trainees? I don't think that posted by willow on Wednesday, 9. November 2011 at 10:32 Bali Time:
You state that it would not be your fist choice of care. Most of the best teaching hospitals in the world (ie the ones where the cutting edge work is done) are full of unpaid trainees - medical students, nurses, physio, OT, social work etc students.This is how we manage to train and give students a valid learning experience under the best supervision available. There is only one way to gain experience and that is to work in the field you are to be employed.
Of course in Australia, the student is supernumery - ie, not counted in the staffing ratio. But an extra pair of hands always helps.