Australian NCLEX pass rates?

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Specializes in Mental Health.

HI! I am an US citizen seriously considering getting my BSN in Australia. Does anyone have any idea of the NCLEX pass rates for Australian students? Does anyone know if Australian BSN programs are similar to those in the US? Does anyone know about how difficult it is to come back from Australia and get licensed in a particular state?

Thanks!

Carter

Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.
HI! I am an US citizen seriously considering getting my BSN in Australia. Does anyone have any idea of the NCLEX pass rates for Australian students? Does anyone know if Australian BSN programs are similar to those in the US? Does anyone know about how difficult it is to come back from Australia and get licensed in a particular state?

Thanks!

Carter

Carter, I remember reading stats on the pass rate for nurses from Australia on the California BON website but it was just for California. Maybe your state would have this info, or for a national pass rate, whoever the organization is that runs NCLEX may have this? I can't remember the exact stats for Australia but I do remember how surprised I was at the very low pass rates from foreign grads taking NCLEX.

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

Pass rates for IENs are around 27% for 2010, 2011, & 2012. Statistically the pass rate decreases with each attempt

https://www.ncsbn.org/1237.htm

https://www.ncsbn.org/NCLEX_Stats_2012.pdf

In AUS drug names are not necessarily same as US, many schools don't include OB as that is usually under scope of midwives, delegation and nursing practice is country/culture specific.

It generally recommended to pursue your education in the country you wish to practice whenever appropriate.

Specializes in Mental Health.

DidiRN, thank you for your reply, although it was not quite what I wanted to hear. I have been so frustrated trying to find schools to apply to in the US. Not there aren't a lot, but because the prerequisite requirements are different from school to school. Why are they not more standardized?! I am 47 and decided to go back to school for nursing. I have been taking the prerequisite classes that I need for the local college, but when I look at other schools requirements they are always different. What is attractive about Australia is that the what are considered prerequisites here in the US are actually built in to the course of study. There is just one application to get into a nursing program. Here in the US you have to apply and be accepted to a university, and then apply to get into the nursing program. Getting into the university doesn't mean you automatically get into the nursing program. If I was to selected 5 programs that I was interested in applying to, I would probably have to go to school 6 months to a year longer to knock out the variations in prerequisites. It's just so frustrating! One school that interested me in CA has a 2.5 yr backlog of wait listed qualified candidates. At this point in my life I just want to start a program and get working!

Specializes in Mental Health.

JustBeachyNurse, thank you for your reply. The link gave me a tad more info than the NCLEX website I had looked at, but it still doesn't break results down by country. 20 something % pass rate internationally is pretty dismal. I'm hoping Australia is higher up there but just brought down by all the other non-English speaking countries.

Specializes in Mental Health.

Hi! I am trying to decide whether or not to go to nursing school in Australia. I have been frustrated about the lack of standardization regarding prerequisite requirements for US BSN nursing programs. I have been taking the necessary class for a local university, but if I want to apply to other schools around the country, I could be in school another year trying to take all the prerequisites that make up all the other school's entry requirements. The beauty of Australian BSN programs are that all the course work needed is built into the program. My hesitancy to go to Australia has to do with how difficult will it be for me to pass the NCLEX if I study in Australia? International rates as a whole are extremely low.

So I guess it would be great to hear from anyone who studied in Australia and will be/or has taken the NCLEX. What wisdom can anyone impart on me to help me make this decision. I should mention I'm 47 so to me time is of essence! Thanks!

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Also be aware Australian training sometimes is lacking in Obstetrics so you will need to ensure that training covers Paeds, mental health, adult and obstetrics

Specializes in Mental Health.

Thank you Silverdragon102. Are you Australian or American? I notice you have been practicing a long time. If this doesn't apply to you, do you know an American who studied in Australia that might be willing to talk to me? Thanks! Carter

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I am neither but we have had a few Australian nurses post that have had issues meeting state requirements as well as some that have met state requirements but better to check when organising your education that you will cover areas enabling you to meet requirements when returning home

Hey,

I am an overseas RN living in Australia. I Am preparing to take the Nclex exam the end of April.

Where about from Australia are you?

HI! I am an US citizen seriously considering getting my BSN in Australia. Does anyone have any idea of the NCLEX pass rates for Australian students? Does anyone know if Australian BSN programs are similar to those in the US? Does anyone know about how difficult it is to come back from Australia and get licensed in a particular state?

Thanks!

Carter

G'day Carter,

The issue with many Australian nursing programs is the deficiency in Maternity Nursing, which may preclude you from immediately registering with your State's Board of Nursing. This is because Maternity Nursing in Australia has been roped under Midwifery.

For the many American nursing students (ex-classmates), their pathways were:

- returning home and enrolling in a unit of Maternity nursing

- extending their student visa for another 12 months to pursue Maternity Nursing as post-grad studies.

Mental Health and Pediatrics are either fashioned into the course or offered as electives.

Best of Luck

I would say that the reason the NCLEX pass rates are so low for foreign educated nurses is that in the US, the entire nursing degree is geared at passing it, with exams etc having NCLEX style questions. Obviously this is not the case in Australia. We have no standardised nursing exam, passing our university degree is enough to meet the requirements for being registered. Also, in Australia, we do not do OB units as that comes under midwifery, which requires a further year of study. Medications and scope of practice etc are different such as having nurse initiated medications. We do not have CNAs or respiratory therapists, those duties come under our job descriptions. I wouldn't advise doing a nursing degree in Aus if you want to practice nursing in the US. Very different system, lots of hoops to jump through.

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