USA to Australia for temporary stay!?

World International

Published

Specializes in NICU.

Hi everyone!

I am a NICU nurse with my BSN in the US. I have dreamed of going to Australia since the day I was born and the more I think about it, the more I feel NOW IS THE TIME:) :)

I have questions though!!

Can someone tell me where the bigger NICUs are in Australia? But most importantly, do any of you guys know of agencies that do placment of nurses for 6 months rather then 2yr contracts?

Thank you kindly :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

You don't need to go via an agency - you can just apply directly to hospitals and then you won't necessarily have a service contract length to deal with.

There are NICUs in each major city obviously, the biggest are in Melbourne and Sydney. Try checking around this forum, I did recently post hospital names etc for someone else with a similar question.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi!

I'm from Chicago and am currently working in Sydney on a working holiday visa and loving it here! Only working here for six months. I applied for my nursing license and visa on my own but contacted an agency to help me get a job(although I could have done it myself). I went through HealthStaff Recruiters and they were excellent, set up interviews, made sure I had accommodation, even picked me up at the airport and my recruiter calls in to check on me or e-mails me. They can help you through the whole process if you want and it's free. Just go to their website(you can google them) and fill in a quick application and someone will contact you. The whole process took me about six months to figure everything out. If i contacted the agency sooner it may have been a little quicker.

Anyway, I can't believe I've been here two months already! If I can be of anymore help, let me know!

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

How could it be free?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didn't pay anything to the agency for any of their help. Obviously had to pay my own way here-airfare, accommodation, visa, etc. But they were able to give me a contact for discounted airfare. I would have been fine organizing things on my own but it was nice to have a contact here and someone to ask a billion questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

They must be taking the money out of the rate that the hospital is paying you then - nobody works for free.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nope, I get paid the same rate. My contract is not through the agency, it is entirely through the hospital. The hospital seems to be pretty desperate for nurses, the agency gets paid by the hospital for each recruit it brings but it does not affect my pay at all---i looked into it, I'm getting paid the same as any other third year nurse at that hospital is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho/Neuro/Trauma.

I also went through a recruitment agency that helped me set up interviews, etc in Melbourne. The hospitals are paying them to find employees. I never paid anything to the recruiters. It was a fantastic experience and my recruiter still e-mails me periodically to make sure I'm happy and settled.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, Joyfull26

I have some questions for you.

I'm trying to go to Aus with working holiday visa as you.

And on my way to processing with WH visa and License application.

I wonder how long it took for you to get licensed?

I am applying to Queensland. Did you need any other requirements other than transferring license?

I have BSN and been working for about 9 months so far on a surgical floor.

All hospitals require at least a year experience?

:) I look forward to your advice. Thank you so much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello,

I moved back to Queensland 6 months ago.I have been told in person it takes up to 6-12 months(It took 6 months) for me to get Licensed.I have dual Citizenship.I have heard of some complaints of companies offering jobs etc but when the Nurses get here there is no support.I am a LPN in the USA had finished all of my RN prerecs and got Licensed as a EEN Enrolled Endorsed Nurse here.Many things that Nurses can do in the USA are ONLY done by the doctors here.I am gtting my RN here starting in March.This is a lovely country, and a great place to work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

I have worked in both US and Australia, and have not noticed that the scope of practice differs much. What patient care area do you work in?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

Hi Joyfull,

I sent you a private message (i'm new to allnurses and don't really know what i'm doing). I'm an RN in NYC and work in oncology. But, I had another question for you - about how much total did it cost you (register/get a visa/flight/etc) just to get to australia and be ready to start a job?

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment