Nursing in Australia: Durable Power of Attorney?

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

Hello fellow nurses. :)

It's been nearly 2 years since I last posted (looking at that time for employment in Boston) and I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things.

I now have approximately 3 years of hospital experience and I've been seriously looking into travel nursing both in the states and in Australia. One of the agencies that I've been looking into in Australia is Plexus Recruitment. They're based out of Melbourne and seem to be a reputable company (though I would appreciate anyone's advice if they've heard or experienced otherwise). I've emailed back and forth with a few women there and even had an informal phone interview about a month ago. It went well and she said she was excited to work with me.

I told the woman during the phone interview that I would be looking to start 6-12 months from now and she told me about some of the necessary things I would have to do to work in Australia (Passing the English exam, references, visa, etc) but among everything was something along the lines of filling out a Durable Power of Attorney for her so, she said, she could make decisions regarding my license and place of employment before I got there. I guess she plans on getting me licensed in Victoria and then NSW (I want to work in the Illawarra/Sydney area).

Have any of you ever heard of this before? Is the Australia DPOA different than the American DPOA? Is this typical if I go through an agency? Is it typical if I didn't? What's the deal here?

It seemed a little fishy to me, but maybe I just don't have the full story. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot! :)

Specializes in CTICU.

It's called an Enduring POA in Australia. We have EPOA (Financial) or (Medical Treatment).

I would not be giving one to anyone in that situation - it means she can access your bank accounts, etc.

I don't know why you would get licensed in VIC if you want to work in NSW - that just means you'll pay double licensure fees. Why don't you just apply to NSW BON? Honestly, you don't really need an agency if you have any time to organize and some common sense.

Many hospitals deal directly with overseas nurses to employ them, and also provide assistance re housing. I know they do at the Sydney Adventist Hospital, for example, have a nursing home to stay in for overseas nurses. We have sites such as domain.com.au to look at rental places.

There is NO WAY I would give EPOA to a stranger.

Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

Thanks for the advice. In the states I certainly wouldn't give POA to anyone, but I didn't know if I meant something different in Australia.

As far as licensing is concerned, I think her reasoning just had to do with her thinking it would be easier for her to register me in Victoria as she's based in Melbourne with the assumption that Australia will have national registry (correct me if I'm getting these terms wrong) by the time I would be planning to work there. And, if I recall correctly (at least according to her), I'd be reimbursed for licensing fees and my visa.

I want to try to go through an agency just because I think it may be easier in terms of navigating the licensing process, finding jobs, networking, and getting a better feel for how the nursing scope of practice differs between the 2 countries and how the nursing education systems are different. Additionally, I'm only looking for a 6-12 month contract so I figured it'd be better going through an agency vs working directly with a hospital because I wouldn't want to put on false pretenses when applying. Does that make any sense?

I'd really appreciate a kind of mentor through this process because I don't know what working at hospitals is like in Australia, but virtually no one in the states will hire you if you specifically say you're only looking for a 6-12 month commitment; Unless you work for them through a temporary or travel contract arranged through an agency.

I will certainly check out that hospital though and the website seems very helpful. I spent a semester of uni in Australia (way back in 2002) and have always planned to return. Thanks again!

Specializes in CTICU.

National registration is meant to come in, but not sure if it's going to be ready soon.

I doubt anyone would employ for 6 months, but probably for 12.

Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

I agree with ghilbert, dont bother with the agency you can do all of the paperwork yourself and talk to the hospital that you want to work for yourself. Just look up their website and you will find an international recruitment page or overseas nurses. email them and talk with them. going through an agency is a waste of time as you have to produce all your paperwork for them first and then they send it all on to the BON. Cut out the middle man!! I managed to do it from Ireland! My advice is to photocopy everything you send so that when you are asked for something else you know what you have already sent and print out all email corospondance...........kept it all together in a folder beside a folder with all of you paperwork from uni and your BON in the states. Post its and lists are the way to go if you are trying to get registered in another country! just make sure you have plenty of time and reply to requests asap so you dont forget a vital page of paperwork!

Best of luck :up:

Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I've already looked at a bunch of different websites for hospitals in the Sydney/Illawarra area and realize that the process is a lot easier than I was originally led to believe.

I also emailed the recruiter told her I wasn't comfortable working with an organization that requested I give POA, and researched the Australian equivalents of our Better Business Bureau.

I'm sure I can do this without an agency.

Thanks again! :)

Specializes in CTICU.

BBB is called Consumer Affairs over here.

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