Chances of getting a nursing job after bridging. What are the factors?

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Is there a high chance to get a nursing job in Australia after the bridging? Anyone knows what region or place in Australia still has a high demand for nurses? Thanks.. I am scared to waste my hard earned money..

hi! may I ask how is it going with UniSA? is there enough job opportunities in Adelaide? tnx

Hi everyone.

Just thought I'd put my 2 cents in. I'm an australian nurse and over the last 12 months have noticed a decrease in jobs, especially for nurses with little experience. In my state (Victoria) 40% of new graduates missed out on a position for next year. And I hear other states aren't much better. Queensland announced it was cutting 2000 public hospital nursing positions as well.

In my mind with so many unemployed new grads floating around I think you may struggle to find a hospital who will sponsor you for a visa. You try a private hospital but as I said why would they want to spend the money on sponsorship if they don't have to.

Please please look in to the job situation before you spend your hard earned money on a bridging course.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, General, PACU.
oh ok. one more thing are the chances of being sponsored PR visas becoming slimmer and slimmer these days? I've read somewhere in the previous posts that this recession will only last until this year. would 2014 be any good for overseas RNs? thanks[/quote']

I am not sure about the PR visa because it depends on what kind of visa subclass you are applying for. But definitely, a sponsor for a 457 visa (working visa) --which is wanted by many international nurses, is really hard to find nowadays especially if you don't have enough experience in the area that Australian employers need. You should at least have a minimum of 3 years and up.. (Much better chances if you have 4-5 years and up experience I Should say..)

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, General, PACU.
In the area where I live (Illawarra region of NSW) I was told by my colleague that sponsorship for overseas nurses is almost non-existent. Although, in one hospital there are a lot of nurses on a 457 visa and the hospital is offering PR visa to them.[/quote']

What type of PR visa are they offering to the nurses?

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Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.
What type of PR visa are they offering to the nurses?

the ENS I think, the subclass 186. Our area is not considered "regional". I went for subclass 189. Easier, no obligation, and fast processing.

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Hello! I was offered with a 2-yr bsn program in a university.I don't have an ielts score of 7 in all subtests but my scores are enough for that program. I am very scared that ould not be able to finance all my 4 semesters although I have a relative there in melbourne who will be willing to accommodate me in that span of years. The advantage of 2yrs program is that you will have another 2 yrs to find work in Australia. I'm currently in my 3 yrs as a nurse in a medical-surgical ward here in the philippines,and I think this program is a bit long. But I know its very safe yet expensive. Does anyone here knows someone who took this path? Thanks

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Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.
Hello! I was offered with a 2-yr bsn program in a university.I don't have an ielts score of 7 in all subtests but my scores are enough for that program. I am very scared that ould not be able to finance all my 4 semesters although I have a relative there in melbourne who will be willing to accommodate me in that span of years. The advantage of 2yrs program is that you will have another 2 yrs to find work in Australia. I'm currently in my 3 yrs as a nurse in a medical-surgical ward here in the philippines,and I think this program is a bit long. But I know its very safe yet expensive. Does anyone here knows someone who took this path? Thanks

I am in no position to actually say what safe and what's not because I didn't go through this expensive bridging programs, but I would like to question the "safety" of the 2-year program as compared to the regular 3-month bridging program. You know a lot of things might happen during that 2 years. Immigration might change. Employment situation might change. So where's the safety in there? In my opinion, it's better to attend the 3-month program while the immigration is still stable.

Also, with your 3 years experience, if you can't find a sponsor, you may want to consider the subclass 189, independent permanent resident visa. You need all 7 on IELTS, though, to get better points. Visit skillselect.gov.au for more info.

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The only thing a 2 year course gives you is an Australian nursing degree and you can apply for a graduate visa, which gives you 2 years to stay and work. But then that's 2 years down the track and as said before a lot of money, you can work as a student 20 hours a week and full time on break if you can find it, but NOT as a nurse.

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Thanks for the reply,im having the same thought. I know theres a lot of things that might change in that 2 yrs. May i know the current phase of aphra? The shortest and the longest possible time of releasing the letter. Thanks.

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The only thing a 2 year course gives you is an Australian nursing degree and you can apply for a graduate visa, which gives you 2 years to stay and work. But then that's 2 years down the track and as said before a lot of money, you can work as a student 20 hours a week and full time on break if you can find it, but NOT as a nurse.

Do you think that i really can earn a lot with that 20 hrs a week privilege? Will i be able to finance 12k$ every 6 months for the tuition fee?

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Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.
Do you think that i really can earn a lot with that 20 hrs a week privilege? Will i be able to finance 12k$ every 6 months for the tuition fee?

probably not, considering the cost of living.

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probably not, considering the cost of living.

Even with free accomm.and food? If you'll be given a chance to stay in australia for anither 2 yrs. I think its really an advantage. But what do you think of the pathway, aged care first while processing aphra there? Because ive talked someone and he said that its faster when youre in australia than in any other parts of the world.it usually takes only a monyh or 2 before you received the letter

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Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.
Even with free accomm.and food? If you'll be given a chance to stay in australia for anither 2 yrs. I think its really an advantage. But what do you think of the pathway, aged care first while processing aphra there? Because ive talked someone and he said that its faster when youre in australia than in any other parts of the world.it usually takes only a monyh or 2 before you received the letter

ok, let's do the math. let's say you earn $15/hour x 20 hours = $300/week. Then x4 (1 month) = $1200 monthly salary. That's $7200 for 6 months. I'm not trying to discourage you or anything, but do you really think all of that money will go to your tuition and school fees only?

Aged care pathway is even worse. I guess with that you have to study Certificate III and Certificate IV in Aged Care, which are useless if you want to be a nurse as it won't lead to registration as a nurse.

I don't think it'll be faster if you applied within Australia. You're still an overseas-educated RN and is subject to strict assessment. I still believe that the normal 3-month bridging program is your faster, easier, safer bet FOR registration.

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