[barkles3579]

Jewels,

Thanks again for your letter. It was very informative. I was pretty crushed when I read that a bachelors degree was required. Is this an absolute certainty, or just with your particular hospital? I've tried making contacts with a few nursing agencies, and can't seem to get a direct, valid answer. This would be the only thing holding me back. I am looking to work in Melbourne, hopefully. How do you like it there so far?

I welcome any other information from Aussie or American nurses. Thank you!

[Djuna]

This is the Board of Nursing site for Victoria.

http://www.nbv.org.au/web/guest/over...g-requirements

There is no absolute requirement that you must have a Nursing Degree, you just need to satisfy the Board that your qualification is equal to an Australian RNs education.

I hope this helps, best of luck.

[barkles3579]

Oh my gosh!! You've given me hope!!! Thank you! My sister has lived in Australia for 15 years...miss her desperately. So hope this works.

[NurseJewels]

When I was applying I was told by the board that you needed a minimum of a bachelor's degree and not necessarily in nursing, sorry for the confusion there. Then again things may have changed over the last year. Definately contact the Nurses Board of Victoria. With the amount of experience you have they might not require it, but the only way to find out is to contact them. I actually have a Bachelor's in biology and was in the process of finishing my MSN when I applied and had no problems. But yea, definitely e-mail them and I'm sure they could give you a straight answer.

Melbourne is awesome! I've been coming here the last 4 years because that's where my BF is from, so I can't speak for the other cities in Australia, but it's incredibly livable and diverse and accessible. I've had a pretty easy time settling in and found the Aussies I work with to be very warm and welcoming. I'm sure this is a trait you will find in any city though

[Silverdragon102]

The state will hold the final say so on your nurse training as you will need to be registered with them before you can work as a nurse as they are the ones issuing license

[Kosmonavt]

Originally Posted by NurseJewels

I actually have a Bachelor's in biology and was in the process of finishing my MSN when I applied and had no problems. But yea, definitely e-mail them and I'm sure they could give you a straight answer.

Thank you for sharing! For how long did you work as a nurse in the States? How smooth was your transitioning to Australian realities? Can you afford the same quality of life in Australia as you had in the US?

[Grace Oz]

Hoping these links might be of some help: .....................

http://www.nmb.nsw.gov.au/
http://www.nbv.org.au/web/guest/home
http://www.nursesboard.sa.gov.au/
http://www.actnmb.act.gov.au/
http://www.nmbwa.org.au/
http://www.qnc.qld.gov.au/home/index.aspx
http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Health_P...PLA/index.aspx
http://www.nursingboardtas.org.au/

I would strongly encourage those folks seeking to live and work in Australia to look beyond the states of New South Wales and Victoria.
Australia is MORE than just Sydney and Melbourne.
Those are two of THE most expensive cities to live in.

Further, be very cautious if considering rural and remote nursing in Aust. It's very different to anywhere else. In some places you will be working solo and in the remote outback far away from the nearest town. You would need to thoroughly investigate this before ever committing yourself to it.

Quality of life here in Australia is second to none. Even our poor live a reasonable life compared to the poor in other countries.

You will however, have to pay a LOT of money to live in Sydney! Both rents and food are very expensive. As I say, be willing to explore other cities.

Wishing you all the best!

[barkles3579]

Thank you for the info. My sis lives in Victoria, so I'm pretty much stuck on that location. I've seen the cost of living first hand. When I've come back to the states, and tell people how much a car costs, or a liter of gas, or a pack of cigarettes (those that smoke), there jaw hits the floor. We are definitely overindulged in the states. Anyways, I will check some of the sites that you have listed. Thanks again for your help.

[Kosmonavt]

Originally Posted by Grace Oz

I would strongly encourage those folks seeking to live and work in Australia to look beyond the states of New South Wales and Victoria.
Australia is MORE than just Sydney and Melbourne.
Those are two of THE most expensive cities to live in.

Give us some cues

[Djuna]

My friend I worked with was from England and she was sponsored for her visa plus she had free accommodation for 3 months so she could find a house and save money to set it up. She certainly found it easy to relocate to a whole new country with that kind of assistance. This was in rural NSW, in a town of 24,000 people. NSW is more than just Sydney just as Victoria is more than just Melbourne.