Nurse Practitioner in Australia?

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Hello! I am studying to be an NP in the US right now and was thinking about moving to Australia and working there as an NP. Does anyone know what the process is for a US educated NP to work there? Are new grad NPs accepted? I realize that i would have to study the healthcare system there and learn some new policies etc..but other than that, what is the process to be an NP there? Would I still register with Australian Board of Nursing and Midwifery as a nurse as well as nurse practitioner? Is the prospects good for finding NP jobs?

Thank you!

Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.

The definition of "advanced practice" is somewhat broad. According to the NMBA:

Advanced practice nursing, while potentially remaining clinical to some extent, may not purely be confined to clinical work. The nurse practitioner role is expected to be predominantly clinically focused.

When assessing individuals who have applied for nurse practitioner endorsement, the National Board recognises that three years of full time advanced practice nursing demonstrates a corresponding level of clinical focus required. However, it is for the applicant to make the case that their practice meets the definition of advanced practice nursing. Neither they nor the assessor ought to rely solely on an industrial award position as the definition of advanced practice nursing. There may be applicants who are not able to obtain a position that awards the appropriate level of remuneration for the APN work they do and these people ought not to be deterred from attempting to make their case.

In hours, the National Board recognises a minimum of 5,000 hours of clinical focus and the applicant may demonstrate this clinical focus across primary to tertiary care

As of now, I am taking small steps towards becoming an NP. This year, I'd be on my 5th year as a registered nurse. I need 1 year advanced practice nursing experience to be considered for a Master's degree in NP. As I said, I'm only taking small steps and I am in no rush to be an NP. However, I would like to know what job titles or functions are considered to be advanced practice? In the hospital setting, there are CNS or CNE or CNC's. In aged care, however, the only advanced role I can think of is the Care Manager and the Care Coordinator. Since I am working mostly in Aged Care and only doing part time and casual acute care roles, how can I progress into "advanced practice" nursing?

I am currently trying to get endorsed as an NP by the AHPRA and work in Australia. Did you ever succeed? Any suggestions?

Specializes in CTICU.

Someone posted the 2 pathways to become endorsed as an NP. I don't know why someone keeps saying you have to have 3 yrs experience as an APN before doing the masters in NP in Australia - it's a) not relevant to people who already have a MSN degree and b) not accurate.

You also cannot simply "transfer your credits" to an Australian university if you already have a US MSN degree and be handed an Australian degree. You would get advanced standing/credit for previous study, but you'd have to complete a certain percentage of the classes at the Australian uni in order to be awarded a degree from that institution.

As a US-trained NP, you do need to have 5000 hrs clinical experience as an NP before you can be endorsed as an Australian NP based on your overseas MSN. This equates to about 3 yrs experience as an NP. I have spoken with someone I know who is US trained ACNP who now works in Australia and the process takes at least a year according to him and is a giant pain in the orifice. It is application by submitting a portfolio via Pathway 2: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Requirements for Portfolio Pathway 2

Start early if you plan to move over there :)

The guidelines were recently updated.

Why on earth would you want to be a NP in Australia? You are so limited in what you can do as an NP, no autonomy at all, it isn't like the US at all!

I am an Australian nursing student studying at the University of Sydney and have been working as a pre-registered Nurses Assistant in two major hospitals within on health region.

If you have experience in one area before you began studying the NP Masters, then I think you will be ok working in Australia. I would contact AHPRA and find out how to get licenced first, additionally contact the Australian Board of Nursing and Midwifery. The more information you have the better it is for you.

I am in the same boat as you, I am a dual citizen with the US and want to do my graduate rotation in the USA in Critical Care with a sub-speciality in airway management, and finding it difficult to get a new grad rotation in Columbia, South Carolina or Augusta, Georgia!

Best of luck to you!

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Hello, Just wondering how your journey to becoming an NP in Australia went. I am getting done with my FNP here in the US here soon and would like to move to Australia and hopefully work as an NP.

Thanks

Marlena- Is that true about less autonomy? Can you explain further?

My boyfriend keeps dropping hints that I should apply for a Visa to work as an NP in Australia- as if it's so easy. I specialize in dermatology. I feel skeptical about availability of dermatology jobs for NP's in derm. I don't think it will be so easy at all.

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