USA RN to Melbourne!!!

ajoo · Jan 10, 2013

Hi, I graduated in US with B.S. degree and worked for a year with OPT VISA. Now it expired and I am back in my country. While I was searching for places to go, I got interested in Australia and New Zealand. So my question is, I heard having to go back to school in Nursing School in Australia for a year or two. Is that true? because some says that's not needed, if my course descriptions and curriculum matches their requirement. I've also heard about conversion program. What is it exactly Which one would be faster and easier, Australia or New Zealand in terms of registration of nursing board and visa?I don't think I've heard about having to go back to school for New Zealand. Is that true?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 10, 2013

You may find that training in the US and working in the US means you do not have to do any bridging programs in Australia but only real way to find out is submit application. Regarding work visa well that will depend on how quick you find a employer

Leggings and Lattes · Jan 10, 2013

Visas, I agree with what Silverdragon said. As far as registration goes, neither is going to be easy really. I do know that New Zealand is no longer registering foreign trained nurses with less than 2 years experience and 2500 clocked hours as an RN. That takes effect March 1. Check out their boards of nursing web page.

ajoo · Jan 15, 2013

@ silverdragon

did you transfer from us to australia? i really want to talk to somebody who've already went through the process. And you talked about getting an employer to sponser the visa, in this case which visa can I be on and be hired? because I know that i have to be in AUstralia and be hired first and then the employer will sponsor. isn't that true? if not how does it work?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 15, 2013

@ silverdragon
did you transfer from us to australia? i really want to talk to somebody who've already went through the process. And you talked about getting an employer to sponser the visa, in this case which visa can I be on and be hired? because I know that i have to be in AUstralia and be hired first and then the employer will sponsor. isn't that true? if not how does it work?

I am in Canada but suggest you read the Australian immigration website here Compliance - Securing Australia's Borders

scrambled dna · Dec 28, 2013

(1) I am European by origin leaving in the USA for the last 26 years. There are some cultural "sensitivities" I recognize in the experiences described above. It appears to me that Australians are direct, like the Europeans, where in the USA people smile more, are polite, but because of political correctness fueled by fear of lawsuits they do not express their true feelings.

(2) I received my RN training in the USA, and I worked (for one year) with a male RN from Romania who practiced in both countries. In Europe (he said) one is expected to be more of a generalist (like in the rural USA or AU) where in the USA nursing is highly specialized, so not having general experience may make a US nurse look less prepared.

(3) Nursing work-load is changing in the USA because of the current financial difficulties experienced by the healthcare system; our ratio in med-sur changed from 1:4 to 1:5 patients (reduced quality).

This is my experience I hope to bring with me in Australia, wife and two kids.

I thank you for sharing your experiences, and hope to learn from your advice. My wife is a dental hygienist, can anyone share any info on their practice in AU?

PMFB-RN, RN · Dec 28, 2013

in the USA people smile more, are polite, but because of political correctness fueled by fear of lawsuits they do not express their true feelings.

LOL! Fear of lawsuits!? I don't think so. Nobody is going to sue me for expressing my true feelings. Do you actually believe what you wrote above?

ceridwyn · Dec 28, 2013

Yeah, Australian health care is changing big time as well with cutbacks yet growing population.

We are now to include nursing attendants that will be included in our pt ratios, RN nurses places getting cutback, EN nurses given the places.

Graduates and experienced RNs not finding work, many applications for all jobs, employers can now be very choosey.

Good luck finding nurses paradise.

scrambled dna · Dec 28, 2013

Stereotyping or generalizing is of course wrong. Having lived in the USA for the last 26 years I have to agree with the cardiologist, but not with his directed anger. No one american, especially leaving oversees is responsible for the stupidity and arrogance exhibited by WA DC. I am just as furious at our government that insist on telling us we are a democracy; yet they are running a surveillance program unmatched even by the former Soviet Union. It is why I made the first enquiries to move my family from this land handicapped by lawsuits, political correctness, corrupt politicians, and social inequality possible under the "watchful eye" of the fourth brunch of the federal government, the lobbyist. After some research Australia deserves to be called a democracy: for its lack of political correctness, sarcastic sincerity, safety, nationalism, opportunities, and for maintaining a healthy middle class.

scrambled dna · Dec 28, 2013

It sounds like the US these days. Economical realities will force us to unsafe nursing/patient ratios, yet I wouldn't mind finding a job in AU. Your country is more of a democracy than the USA. God bless you.

scrambled dna · Dec 28, 2013

If you never leaved anywhere else other that the USA, you have no way of knowing. One has to be extremely careful in the US versus other countries. And the comment was not directed to you personally. You act typically american.

Bringonthenight · Dec 28, 2013

Yeah Australian health care is changing big time as well with cutbacks yet growing population. We are now to include nursing attendants that will be included in our pt ratios, RN nurses places getting cutback, EN nurses given the places. Graduates and experienced RNs not finding work, many applications for all jobs, employers can now be very choosey. Good luck finding nurses paradise.[/quote']
I have no problem with bringing in more Enrolled Nurses into the acute care sector. I've found the expansion of their scope has only benefitted the wards in Queensland that I have worked.
When I've worked in Victoria I found that ENs were treated like AINs, such a waste, the healthcare system could save so much money by using ENs properly. Remember ENs are now educated at diploma level.
I've worked in all RN wards and wards where there were 2 RNs 4 ENs and a nursing attendant. Both wards ran equally smooth the only difference was that the NUM wasn't breaking budget on the latter ward.
I do agree with your post though, the healthcare system in Aus is changing and cutbacks are happening left right and centre.