US male nurse interested in moving to Australia

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Hello,

I have been reading a few threads from this site regarding nursing in Australia and the proper steps required for immigrant nurses to practice in Australia. However, the more I read, the more I became confused. Can anyone provide me with the requirements and proper steps in order to meet those requirements for practicing in Australia?

I am an American nurse with a BSN and (currently) 8 months of experience in an ER. I plan on moving somewhere new in the Summer of 2014, so by that time I would have 2 years of experience. I am starting this whole process early to be safe and make sure I get everything done in time. This could also allow me the opportunity to make the move earlier than I have originally planned.

I am wanting to move to a coastal area with nice beaches and an entertaining downtown lifestyle. Melbourne and Sydney seem like places I would enjoy but I know the cost of living is expensive there. What are some other cities I could consider?

Also, what is the pay like for nurses in Australia? And what are hours/week for a typical RN position?

Thanks,

Tyler

Hey,I also want to move to Sydney Australia. I'm an american OR nurse. Did you find any good info on moving and finding a job and a place to live?

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Dunno, think you might need your Msn and Dp" RN perhaps also the Fnp and the Fnnmmpdp - just some Aussie irony humour :) why not do some research on hospital jobs, starting with places you would like to be. Sydney is very expensive to live. Oh and APHRA for nuring registration is first thing to do.

Hope someone with the lived experience replies.

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Specializes in OR and Midwifery.
HeyI also want to move to Sydney Australia. I'm an american OR nurse. Did you find any good info on moving and finding a job and a place to live?[/quote']

Just a heads up if you're wanting to work in theatre (OR) here in Australian, theatre nurses need to be able to scrub AND circulate. We don't have scrub techs. The major hospitals nurses tend to be either scrub/scout or anaethetic/PACU. The smaller hospitals want you to do all areas.

So if you don't scrub at the moment in the US its a good idea if you start.

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I sent in my application to the NSW branch back in October 2012, and 4 weeks later, I received my approval. I went into the office this past Thursday to perform my identity check, and today I'm showing up in the Registers of Practitioners.

As far as the application process, make sure you read and have EXACTLY what they ask for. I did a ton of research before applying, so they never had to ask for anything else from me. I sent everything where it could be tracked, and then called the following day after they received it to confirm. Also, make sure to read the sections on certifying documents and what forms of identification are acceptable. I had to show my Notary Public the website stating that the copies had to be certified because she wanted to argue that Notaries only certify signatures. Might be handy to have a printout of that page with you when you go to certify.

Make sure you have high school and college transcripts as well as letters from your schools saying that you were "taught and assessed in English". From what I read and was told, that was a biggie as far as proving you were efficient in the English language. I don't remember the application specifically stating that you had to have this, but I remember reading about them asking for it at a later time.

Also, you will have to make a personal appearance at the branch you apply to, so be prepared for that. You have a year from the date of your letter of approval. At that time, they will do an identity check on you verifying your passport, local address, and visa status.

So do official high school and college transcripts also have to be certified? Does that just mean a notary signs and stamps the back of the transcript envelope? Or do they break the seal and sign/stamp every page of the transcript? Few seem to be replying to my qu's and I'm feeling overwhelmed...

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It is just a stamp saying that it is a copy of a authentic certificate. In Australia, it is normally witnessed by a Justice of Peace.

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So when I started this whole process of applying as an internationally qualified RN, I vaguely remember reading someone's comments here on allnurses that AHPRA wanted to read in the course work something regarding howmuch of each course was theory and how much was application...

Yes, I should have sent all the syllabi in when I sent in my application. AHPRA had told me my university could email it to them, but now they are telling me that is not possible. Would have been nice to have known 2 months ago.

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Specializes in Med-Surg and Neuro.
So when I started this whole process of applying as an internationally qualified RN, I vaguely remember reading someone's comments here on allnurses that AHPRA wanted to read in the course work something regarding howmuch of each course was theory and how much was application...

Yes, I should have sent all the syllabi in when I sent in my application. AHPRA had told me my university could email it to them, but now they are telling me that is not possible. Would have been nice to have known 2 months ago.

What if people didn't keep a syllabus? I don't think that was even addressed in my syllabus.

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How did you send in the paperwork verifying your pharmacology education? Course syllabi? Also, did you send in both high school and college transcripts? This is an INSANE paper trail!

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Australia is an amazing place to work! I am Australian and worked for 3 years in the public system before moving to the Middle East (WHOLE different kettle of fish there!!!).

Why does everyone just think of Sydney and Melbourne? Australia is MASSIVE and there are so many different places with different styles of nursing all over the country. If you're looking for cool weather, beaches and nightlife - go for Sydney. If you're looking for more hipster culture go for Melbourne. If you like tropical weather, amazing beaches and great rate of pay go for Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Queensland Health has a fantastic rate of pay (after 3 years I was on approx $35/hr as base rate + shift benefits). Interested in rural nursing with more autonomy? Try further north and west. There are small towns screaming for qualified staff who work the ED and hospital and do so much more than in a city hospital. There are mining towns, rural cities, metropolitan areas - I'm sure you'll find somewhere to your liking... Queensland is definitely my recommendation though if you want a cruisy lifestyle and affordable living in the city.

AHPRA is a nightmare even for those born, raised and educated completely in Australia only. They tried to get me to do an IELTS because my school (that's primary and highschool) didn't specifically say on any certificates that they only taught in English -_- a lot of phone calls, arguments and sobbing down the phone later I finally got my licence the day before I was due to start. Good luck! Try to make sure all of your documents are certified and clear or else the process is horrible.

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Also average work hours in Australia are 40hrs per week. There are part time opportunities and agencies too :-)

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Australia is an amazing place to work! I am Australian and worked for 3 years in the public system before moving to the Middle East (WHOLE different kettle of fish there!!!).

Why does everyone just think of Sydney and Melbourne? Australia is MASSIVE and there are so many different places with different styles of nursing all over the country. If you're looking for cool weather, beaches and nightlife - go for Sydney. If you're looking for more hipster culture go for Melbourne. If you like tropical weather, amazing beaches and great rate of pay go for Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Queensland Health has a fantastic rate of pay (after 3 years I was on approx $35/hr as base rate + shift benefits). Interested in rural nursing with more autonomy? Try further north and west. There are small towns screaming for qualified staff who work the ED and hospital and do so much more than in a city hospital. There are mining towns, rural cities, metropolitan areas - I'm sure you'll find somewhere to your liking... Queensland is definitely my recommendation though if you want a cruisy lifestyle and affordable living in the city.

AHPRA is a nightmare even for those born, raised and educated completely in Australia only. They tried to get me to do an IELTS because my school (that's primary and highschool) didn't specifically say on any certificates that they only taught in English -_- a lot of phone calls, arguments and sobbing down the phone later I finally got my licence the day before I was due to start. Good luck! Try to make sure all of your documents are certified and clear or else the process is horrible.

I am so interested in moving to Brisbane (from NYC)... I've been an RN for 20+ years with all kinds of different experience. Can you tell me approximately how much it would cost to rent an apartment (either one or two bedroom - depending on the price). Thank you so much!

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