RN to BSN stud with 9mos nursing work experience wants to get Australian visa. HELP

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Hello nursing community,

I graduated from an associate degree program and as of the moment have 9 months of experience working as a RN in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in NJ. (**extra details: worked full time from July 2016 to Nov 2016 and currently part-time). I am expecting to graduate with my BSN from Penn State Online by the end of August 2017 and ideally, would like to immigrate to Australia by end of November or even to the beginning of 2018.

It's been 2 weeks into Googling blogs & reading AHPRA (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia) links and the Australian Immigration site, but getting lost as to what category I will be categorized in due to my work experience of less than 1 yr and soon to be a new graduate of a BSN program, as per this link:

https://www.anmac.org.au/skilled-migration-services/registered-nurse

and this link:

Professional reference information | ANMAC | Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council

I know the job I work in will not support my leaving & may not do a favor in writing me a personal reference... so I'm thinking, would I be able to be considered as a "Recent Graduate" which seems to elude me from needing a personal reference?

Does anyone understand a brief summary of the things to do and the time frame of the entire process? It's all getting me anxious & confusing for me to comprehend this process, as this is the first BIG thing ever for me that I desire to do and actually manifest it (besides getting my RN license! But this was done in a familiar home compared to this new dream).

I would appreciate this nursing community's responses, experiences & advice. Thank you so much for you time to share =)

Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to more appropriate forum for more responses

dishes, BSN, RN

3,950 Posts

If AHPRA is asking for information on all of your past nursing work experience, then omitting employment information and pretending you are a new grad would be considered fraud.

Wuzzie

5,116 Posts

Okay, I have to admit. From your title I thought you were calling yourself a "stud". Until I saw you are a chick!:lol2:

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Eliminating reference to your current job is fraud. Not getting the employment verification reference may cause your application to be rejected. Not all US applicants are considered to have equivalent education to Aus nurses

Kit.Kat

27 Posts

Eliminating reference to your current job is fraud. Not getting the employment verification reference may cause your application to be rejected. Not all US applicants are considered to have equivalent education to Aus nurses

Thank you for your response... I would have NOT eliminated my job history, I meant if they would consider me as a new graduate/new nurse since I had employment of less than 1 year and would have recently graduated from a BSN degree program.

Not exactly sure, if you also mean, regarding not having equivalence to AUS nursing education, that I would require additional education in Australia or I would not be considered a candidate for AUS nursing visa... please, further details are appreciated.

Kit.Kat

27 Posts

If AHPRA is asking for information on all of your past nursing work experience, then omitting employment information and pretending you are a new grad would be considered fraud.

I will NOT be omitting any educational/job history, I did not mention that I would have. Thank you for the advice.

dishes, BSN, RN

3,950 Posts

Thank you for your response... I would have NOT eliminated my job history, I meant if they would consider me as a new graduate/new nurse since I had employment of less than 1 year and would have recently graduated from a BSN degree program.

Not exactly sure, if you also mean, regarding not having equivalence to AUS nursing education, that I would require additional education in Australia or I would not be considered a candidate for AUS nursing visa... please, further details are appreciated.

I don't think you can be considered a recent graduate if you graduated more than a year ago. With less than one year of work experience you are considered an advanced beginner nurse, it might be better if you wait until you have at least two years of experience with one employer and have become a more competent nurse, before moving to a different country to practice nursing. If you read Patricia Benners 'From Novice to Expert' stages of clinical competence you will understand what I mean about years of experience and gaining competence.

Kit.Kat

27 Posts

I don't think you can be considered a recent graduate if you graduated more than a year ago.

Thank you for responding! I did graduate with my associate's, but I will also be graduating with my BSN this August 2017, and as of then I will have 1 yr experience.

I appreciate your response, I just feel the urge to venture somewhere because at 27 without a family & having studied a long 7 years without much self-exploration is motivating me.

dishes, BSN, RN

3,950 Posts

Thank you for responding! I did graduate with my associate's, but I will also be graduating with my BSN this August 2017, and as of then I will have 1 yr experience.

I appreciate your response, I just feel the urge to venture somewhere because at 27 without a family & having studied a long 7 years without much self-exploration is motivating me.

Those are all personal reasons to move, what are your professional reasons? Are you you knowledgeable about the Australian health care system and nursing practice? If so, what is it about their systems that make you feel like you will be a good fit? How will you prove to AHPRA that you are a competent nurse with safe practice, without a letter from your employer? Moving to another country entails a lot of preparation and planning. It's best to gain a strong understanding of the laws, rules and regulations and cultural expectations of a country before moving, otherwise you may find yourself unemployed or underemployed and experiencing culture shock.

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