Learning Disability Registraiotn in Australia

[incertus]

Hi, I am a UK, Dual Diploma Qualified Practitioner. Social Work (DipSW) and Registered Nurse Learning Disability. I am considering a move to Australia and at this point am looking for some advice. It seems from the websityes that I have visited that NSW is the only state which recognises Learning Disability Nursing as a registered nurse profession. I have also been advised that by mutual agreement I could register in NSW and then work as a registered nurse in another state...I am considering mental health services as this is my practice background. My question is do NSW nursing board accept UK 'Diploma' Registered nurse, as I keep coming across info which indicates registration is based on degree level qualifications...please can you help so that I can get on with applying for NSW nurse registration

thanks

incertus

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Hi! i am currently back in Australia. I have been registered with the UK nursing board as an learning disability nurse since 1996. i registered with NSW in 1999 and they said i was an RN with no restrictions. i worked with an agency for a while in sydney who kept trying to put me in acute medical wards as i was a "registered nurse" and could work anywhere. i said no and continued to look for learning disability work to no avail. i did a lot of mental health work before settling and feeling comfortable in aged care. On returning to Oz in May 2011 i had to re-register with the new AHPRA nursing board with the hope to continue in aged care. I have about four years full time experience in this field. They have put me on the register as an RN, division 1, but with a notation saying i " may only practise in the area of learning disability ". Australia generally doesn't have specfic learning disability services!! Disability services are all grouped together and they don't use a nursing/medical approach to care!

AHPRA have told me i'm a registered nurse but i have no-where to practise!! So, after 3 yrs university, numberous post grad courses, and almost 15 yrs full time experience i can't be a nurse anymore?????

No seems to know if i can work with supervision, in the UK i worked in many mental health facilities, can i do that here?? no one has an answer. Terribly frustrating in a country with a shortage of nurses!!

Does anyone know of any courses etc. i can attend so i may practise again in Aged care. Its an area of care i really enjoy, feel competent and comfortable with and an area that is crying out for nurses! any help would be great! Thanks!!

Suggest you check with AHPRA or maybe local nursing schools/universities and see if they can help you with the necessary courses to make you more workable in other areas

This is an issue we have seen several times due to the UK training being more specialised. Lots of countries require general trained