[sfbound]

Hi
I am an Australian nurse who will be coming to work in Cardiology in San Francisco later this year. Any tips for a newbie??
After reading the messages I realize that I have tapped into a wonderful resource.
Currently am working in a Cardiology unit in Sydney which does a lot of stenting.
Regards
Kerry

[suzanne4]

Welcome to Allnurses.com............
You may also wish to check out the International Forum, as well as the Australian section. They should also prove to be useful to you.....

I am currently living about 2 1/2 hours from San Francisco in Central CA.

[fourwalls]

Hello Kerry
I am an Australian Undergrad nursing student with his heart set on working in the States.
I am interested in the process and educational background you have to qualify for work in the States. There appears to be very few Australian nurses who work in the States. Is this an accurate observation or not?

All the information I can gather about the CGFNS process requires a course of study that includes obstetrics, paediatrics and mental health, both theory and clinical experiences. I am not sure if there is a program in all of Australia that comprehensively covers all these requirements.

It appears that Australian programs are more specific in their programs. I am certain I will never get an obstetric rotation unless I become a midwife.
any how, I am very interested in the process and educational background you have to qualify for work in the states.

Thanks for any relply you can offer me.
fourwalls

[outinbfe11]

First of all, welcome to allnurses.com. This is a great way to obtain information regarding nursing in the US. Secondly, nice name. Same as mine. I used to live in Paramatta just outside of Sydney back in 1991-1993. Miss it terribly. Again welcome.

Kerry- CCU RN

[SFCardiacRN]

Welcome to SF. It is a wonderful world class city. Great pay for nurses. Rent is skyhigh but worth it to those of us that love this city. Are you coming here through an agency or winging it on your own?

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by fourwalls

Hello Kerry
I am an Australian Undergrad nursing student with his heart set on working in the States.
I am interested in the process and educational background you have to qualify for work in the States. There appears to be very few Australian nurses who work in the States. Is this an accurate observation or not?

All the information I can gather about the CGFNS process requires a course of study that includes obstetrics, paediatrics and mental health, both theory and clinical experiences. I am not sure if there is a program in all of Australia that comprehensively covers all these requirements.

It appears that Australian programs are more specific in their programs. I am certain I will never get an obstetric rotation unless I become a midwife.
any how, I am very interested in the process and educational background you have to qualify for work in the states.

Thanks for any relply you can offer me.
fourwalls

There are actually quite a few nurses from Oz that work in the US.

It actually isn't a CGFNS process that requires hours in the other areas, but the Boards of Nursing of each state. CGFNS just handles the Visa Screen Certificate part for immigration.

The CGFNS exam is no longer a requirement for most states.

Check out the UK forum, as well as the International forum. There are many nurses from the UK that are in the same boat as you.

Good luck.

[madwife2002]

Hi and welcome to allnurses

[augigi]

For the undergrad, you can do PDU modules through Deakin Uni in Melbourne (distance) and just organize your own clinical rotations.