American Nurse Seeking to Work in Australia

[etoile88]

Hey there! Sorry if this a repeat of several other topics..I've been reading through many threads, and there is so much information, I'm getting overloaded.

I'm an RN currently working as a traveler in the US. I have almost 2 years of experience. I would really love to work in Australia though. I have spoken to one travel agency - Worldwide Travel Staffing, but haven't talked to them much more than a couple phone calls. All I've really gotten out of them is it's usually a year-long commitment, and lots of paperwork?

I've seen some people say work with an agency, don't work with an agency..and the whole process just seems very confusing. Any tips, hints? Do I need to do one of the bridging programs..take an exam? I'm very tentative to do this by myself without an agency there to help me out.

Thanks!!

[sunshinerainbows]

Hi,

What ended up being the consensus on proving work experience hours for your educational program? I went to a small school, and they claim they don't know what to provide.

Thanks!

[Cottntale32]

Hi,

What ended up being the consensus on proving work experience hours for your educational program? I went to a small school, and they claim they don't know what to provide.

Thanks!

Hi Sunshinerainbows,

The APRHA states that an applicant should have at least 800 hours of "workplace experience" (i.e. clinical hours) during the time of the application. They would like a letter written from the school stating how many clinical hours (use the phrase "workplace experience" in the letter) you've completed throughout the entire program. Make sure that there is an explanation (or a "key") as to how the school comes up with the total number that they do.

Now some of us (it seems mostly the ADN-BSN nurses) are having trouble with this and can only provide about 720 hours. Another member here stated that the AHPRA told them that they would receive registration, however, they would have to be supervised for 3 months/fulltime or complete a "bridging program (which is $10K).

There is another forum that is more uptodate with different people registering with the AHPRA for an Australian license. The forum name is 2016 US RN to Australia. Search for that forum and you can read more on this registration. Good luck!

[maryhadalittleann]

How did you prove English is your primary language? None of my transcripts say that English was the language I was taught in? I would assume the AHPRA are aware that schools in the US are only taught in English.

[sunshinerainbows]

Link found on this website: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - English language skills

Here are the two ways that you will most likely go about using:

Excerpt:

What must I do?

If you are applying for initial registration you must demonstrate your English language competency in one of the following ways:

1.English is your primary language and:

a.you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries, including at least two years between years 7 and 12, and

b.your qualification in the relevant professional discipline, which you are relying on to support your eligibility for registration under the National Law was taught and assessed solely in English in one of the recognised countries and:

i.in the case of a registered nurse or registered midwife, you must provide evidence of at least a two (2) years full-time equivalent pre-registration program of study approved by the recognised nursing and/or midwifery regulatory body in any of the recognised countries.

ii.in the case of an enrolled nurse, you must provide evidence of at least a one year full-time equivalent pre-registration program of study approved by the recognised nursing and/or midwifery regulatory body in any of the recognised countries listed in this registration standard.

OR

2.Registered nurses and registered midwives

If you are applying for registration as a registered nurse and/or a registered midwife, you must provide evidence of the completion of five (5) years*(full-time equivalent) of education taught and assessed in English, in any of the recognised countries.

NOTE:

a)The Board will only accept the completion of five (5) years* (full-time equivalent) of:

i) tertiary and secondary education taught and assessed in English; or

ii) tertiary and vocational education taught and assessed in English; or

iii)combined tertiary, secondary and vocational education taught and assessed in English; or

iv)tertiary education taught and assessed in English

from one or more of the recognised countries listed in this registration standard.

b)The five (5) years referred to in paragraph 2(a) above must include evidence of a minimum of two (2) years full-time equivalent pre-registration program of study approved by the recognised nursing and/or midwifery regulatory body in any of the recognised countries listed in this registration standard.

There are other ways but I figured they didn't apply to you.

Recognised country means one of the following countries:

•Australia

•Canada

•New Zealand

•Republic of Ireland

•South Africa

•United Kingdom

•United States of America.