Bridging Program in Australia

World Registration

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Hi. I am new here. I don't know exactly where to go. I am a registered nurse here in the Philippines and I am interested in studying in Australia for a bridging course that will help me become a registered nurse there. I need some help on looking for a good school that offers a bridging course.

My aunt told me that a friend of her friend just went to AU to take up a test and in 6 months she's there for a bridging program. and I have this friend who has a friend who became a registered nurse in AU in 6 months time too. This agency is offering me to study for a certificate III aged care with occupational English test for 46 weeks in Einstein College but it costs too much. So now, I am trying to look for a school wherein I can apply by myself and hopefully get in. I am hoping I could leave for AU this June 2011. I am a bit lost on what to do. Can you help me, please? Any suggestions? ? Please help me. Thank you very much. :clown:

(Sydney area would be better since my parents are more familiar and in favor of that place... though other cities/areas will be great too)

hello....are you for May intake at IHNA?

i just read this now. sorry. i'm for june.

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Hello destiny05....with regards to the COE, Ive requested it from my former employer to put statements according to the standards required by AHPRA, like Full time registered nurse etc etc. In addition, Ive also mentioned in the last part of the certification that Im applying for the Registration to the Nursing and Midwifery board of Australia. In my CV, Ive included clinical procedures in a tabular form and check if competent or observed. In addition, I requested my head nurse to acknowledge my skills. If you still have any questions just feel free to ask....your welcome.....

Hi mikeyrho314! Thank you so much for the info! I really have no idea on how I must state all the clinical procedures in my CV. So does that mean that we just have to plainly state the procedures, for example "straight catheterization", so just that..meaning you no longer have to state the details on how the ff skills are done, is it right? Also, what is it in the COE that the employer must put? thank you very much! hope you'll get to respond..

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hi.. i would just like to ask, how long does it take for ahpra to assess the application and send the approval (eligibility) letter? coz i've already received an email from ahpra stating that they have received my application.

thanks.. :)

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hi, can you help me... is there an australian hospital that will sponsor the whole bridging program and eventually will hire you? thanks ^_^

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Are you an Australian citizen? The amount of money you are requesting a hospital to pay out for non citizen is quite high. Nurses in Australia pay around 20,000 Au for their nursing degree and are not sponsored by hospitals. Some manage to obtain scholarships of about 10-20000, the amount of money you are requesting for registration education.

The same goes for post graduate education which is very expensive here.

I have never heard or seen someone state that an Australian hospital offers this service to an overseas nurse for general registration.

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Hi Ceridwyn!

Do you think it's better to apply for registration as a midwife rather than as a nurse as I have this impression that there are countries that regard midwives more than nurses - is it the same with Australia? Moreover, would you know if the 1 year full-time midwifery education requirement be waived should the applicant be a nurse-midwife? RNs in the Philippines may sit for the Midwifery Board Exam provided that they a proof to have handled 20 deliveries. I must say though that even if I don't mind schooling again, I believe it will only take 1 semester since the Fundamentals of Midwifery are the subjects I will be taking, hence will still not meet the one year requirement. Sorry if the question obviously is not entirely about nursing. :(

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AHPRA will reject your application to register as a Midwife.

To be eligible to register as a midwife in Australia, one must have completed a Bachelor of Midwifery or on top of their Bachelor of Nursing complete a one year diploma in midwifery, which very soon will be a 2 year course - Master of Midwifery as concluded by ANMAC.

Therefore assisting in 20 births and passing an exam in the Phillipines in a Bachelor of Nursing, will not give credit, even experience in a midwifery ward will not get you credit as this is difficult to ascertain just where to give credit and just what exposure you have had and what level of hospital. It may however get you into a midwifery ward to work in post natal areas, but do not call yourself a midwife. Midwives in Australia are very particular that you must have done the study before you can call yourself that.

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Thanks for the info Ceridwyn!

Just want to add that it is not just mere assisting but facilitating the entire birthing process. Nurse-Midwives are also required to do 5 suturing (Episiotomy?!) and 5 IV Medication administration on top of the 20 deliveries. On the other hand, as you just said that Midwifery will very soon be a 2 year course, any idea of how soon is very soon? :idea:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Suggest you read criterion 3 page 11 in this link, it lists midwifery requirements http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD10%2f3192&dbid=AP&chksum=rbtIhlZj1%2fRDYU7puzOixw%3d%3d

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I applaud your confidence as a midwife in your profession in your country.

However, midwifery in Australia is seen as something much more than assisting in a birth from go to whoa and suturing a women after childbirth.

AS for IV therapy, this is a skill all Registered nurses are expected to have on graduation, same as undergraduate midwives and of course diploma students are nurses.

The whole philosophy of being with woman is part of midwifery education, along with our many different cultures towards the woman and birth - differences, family studies, and of course the choice of women to give birth at home. Birth is seen as just one part of being with woman, education, birth choices and plans to be made, ethics, legislation, medications (different to those of the US and therefore the Phillipines) required in birth, mature gestation, teen gestation.

Australian view towards the gestational woman, all these need to be studied.

Midwives are sole practitioners they see the woman early pregnancy, straight through to full term, educating and supporting the woman.

Midwvfes deliver babies here - uncomplicated and are seen as the educator and are often ''it' with no medical assistance, they need to know what is wrong and when to call for assistance and often, if much experienced the ones to tell junior doctors what is needed.

ps episiotomies went out years ago and are now frowned upon here.

I do know diploma is still being excepted this year, think masters starts next year.

Here is the specific link for midwifery I found as well

http://www.anmc.org.au/userfiles/file/Accreditation Documents for the Website/Interim Standards - Guidelines-for-Education-Requirements-for-Recognition-as-Eligible-Midwives-and-Endorsement-for-Scheduled-Medicines[1].pdf

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Thanks (again) Ceridwyn and Silverdragon!

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Hello Guys, I really need your help.

I am a Registered Nurse here in the Philippines and I just heard about the bridging program. I am currently spending my time reviewing for the IELTS, Im praying for a band of 7 in all areas. I am also working as Clinic Nurse/ Private Duty Nurse.

I am planning to lodge my application to the University of Canberra for Course which i don't have any Idea what. I was just told to do so. My papers are complete expect for IETLS.

What do you suggest- I do continue with my student visa or the bridging program? I am really confuse guys. Right now i dont know what to do. Some are saying that i should take the path of Aged Care.

And about registering to the agencies in Australia, I dont get that either.

Please Help me.

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