[blue heron]

I will be graduating in April '07, and hubby and I have discussed moving to Australia for 2 years or so after that. Anyone have advice on what to look for, or look out for? job wise and otherwise. We've never lived outside of Canada, so any information, links, advice will be appreciated.

[talaxandra]

First, congratulations on your wise decision Canadian and Australian cultures are somewhat similar, so acclimatising shouldn't be too hard. When you're narrowing the location down a bit prepare for a bun fight on the board about which is the best state - there's some rivalry down here because the other states can't accept the awesomeness of Victoria

There's a sticky on the Aussie/NZ forum that has a lot of helpful advice, including links to various registration bodies etc.

The absolutely most important thing to bear in mind is that, even though they pay great, stay away from remote/rural nursing positions - I have friends who've worked in those positions and loved it, but you really have to be experienced in general, and have worked here for a while. Sometimes you're the only health provider for several thousand square kilometres.

Good luck!

[MamaTheNurse]

ooohhh - I would love to work in Australia!! maybe in my next life.......

[blue heron]

Originally Posted by talaxandra

First, congratulations on your wise decision Canadian and Australian cultures are somewhat similar, so acclimatising shouldn't be too hard. When you're narrowing the location down a bit prepare for a bun fight on the board about which is the best state - there's some rivalry down here because the other states can't accept the awesomeness of Victoria

There's a sticky on the Aussie/NZ forum that has a lot of helpful advice, including links to various registration bodies etc.

The absolutely most important thing to bear in mind is that, even though they pay great, stay away from remote/rural nursing positions - I have friends who've worked in those positions and loved it, but you really have to be experienced in general, and have worked here for a while. Sometimes you're the only health provider for several thousand square kilometres.
Good luck!

Thanks for the answer. I really know nothing about Australia other than you have REALLY neat wildlife.
What do you mean when you say 'bun fight on the board about which is the best state'?
Besides the stickies (which I'll check out asap) Are there any other sources for general info that you would recomend?
Also, when I've looked (longingly) at job posting for Australia, I see public and private hospitals mentioned. what is the difference? Anything to watch out for with either kind? also, are there places any of you would recommend if I wanted to get my nurse practitioner while I was there? Who has the best programs? etc...
Thanks again!!!
:Melody: :Melody:

[talaxandra]

A bun fight is an argument - there's a bit of friendly inter-state rivalry over where's better to live and practice. If you have a look at the Aussie/NZ forum there are a few examples

Like Canada we have universal health care (although the Liberal politicians are doing their damnedest to dismantle the system). In public hospitals the entire admission is free, there are students, and the few single rooms are used for patients who are sick; the private system is user-pay, the staff are all qualified, and most of the admissions are elective.

Public hospitals wages and conditions are the same throughout each state, but vary from state to state; private hospital wages and conditions are negotiated with each hospital but are the same for all nurses at that hospital.

Generally speaking, public hospitals have patients who are sicker, more complex and have more social issues; private hospitals have fewer staff, nicer surroundings and (sometimes) more equipment.

Maybe you could ask a moderator to transfer this thread to the Aussie/NZ forum, so you can get some other Aussie input - not that I'm not wonderful, of course

[talaxandra]

PS For a good general overview of Australia try reading Bill Brysons's book "In a sun-burned country"* and/or the Lonely Planet guide. I'll have a hunt around and see if there's anything both interesting and relevant about nursing/health care in Australia, and will get back to you

* From "My Country" by Dorothea Mackellar:

The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes,
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins.
Strong love of grey-blue distance,
Brown streams and soft, dim skies –
I know, but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.

I love a sun burnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!

The stark white ring-barked forests,
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon,
Green tangle of the brushes
Where lithe lianas coil,
The orchids deck the tree-tops,
And ferns the warm dark soil.

Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When, sick at heart, around us
We see the cattle die –
But then the grey clouds gather
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the rainbow gold,
For flood and fire and famine
She pays us back threefold.
Over the thirst paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze……..

An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land –
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand –
Though Earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country
My homing thoughts will fly.

[blue heron]

talaxandra, yes you are wonderful.
somehow I thought I was on the Aussie/NZ forum. Help from the moderator???
That is a beautiful poem, thank you for sharing it and starting my weekend off so nicely.

[talaxandra]

You're very welcome
To move the thread maybe PM Gwenith, who moderates the Aussie/NZ board.
Avagoodweegend!*
[*Trad. Aus. salutation - have a good weekend]