Any Australian trained RNs working in the US?

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Hello, I hope someone can help :). I completed my University degree last year and have been working as an RN since January in Australia. I've been studying for the NCLEX-RN test in hope of moving over soon, unfortunately I didn't pass the test last month, it was so hard! :(. The content we studied at Uni is different and the medications also have different names. Any tips or advice from an Australian who passed the test?? I'm using Kaplan and Saunders as study guides... any help would be greatly appreciated!! Cheers :).

I already have my eligibility letter. That's why I'm curious why I didn't get my ATT that quick also. Oh well.

I have also been here a year and I can't wait to go back to work. I have actually tried looking for work here, nursing related but I'm finding it hard because they want me to have my license first. I thought that I could get like a grad position but apparently not. I even applied for CNA positions but they said I would have to have certification for that. Maybe its different in Fl? I'm not sure. Pay rate in FL isn't that great here too.

I wish I could find work soon. My hubby has been really good but he sometimes doesnt understand the whole RN licensure process. He's not put pressure on me but another income coming in the household would help alot. Also, we've only been married for 10months, I'm not use to taking out/ spending money I didn't earn. He keeps telling me it's "ours" but I'm just not comfortable with it. I've learnt how to clip coupons and only shop for sale items.

I hope we get our licenses soon. I'm gonna keep doing practice questions and practice, practice, practice. I'm going to Barnes & Nobles soon to get that La Charity book.

I hope my percentage will improve, I'm a little weary that I'm only getting 50-60% mark.

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I hear you!

Its been terrible for us too. My hubby is working and has a great job BUT............. it covers all of our expenses with nothing left over! I don't even have medical insurance right now!!! I keep thinking.....please don't get sick please don't get sick!!!!

I have just started working as an overnight support person in a residential facility (kids)......you don't need any qualifications for that. I had to take it just in case i don't pass this silly nursing test. The money is terrible..........i cant believe that people get paid so little in this country and that health care is not free.......... we are spoilt at home i guess!!!

Hey listen don't buy the La Charity book just yet. Its only small you could get it done in a week or less if dedicated. Let me sit my test on the 10th and if all goes well i will post you my copy...........i won't need it again after that (fingers crossed)

I keep going to Barnes and Noble and getting a coffee and doing questions out of the books then putting them back:-)

Keep going with your questions you are at a good point........seriously i started off the same......its just practicing the test reading tricks. Did you read the Kaplan strategies 2010 book? Its worth a look at if you have not already!!!!

Chat soon!!!!

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Me too, no health insurance :(. I exactly know what you mean. I have been very carefull with not geting sick and keeping my fingers cross not to.

Thanks for the offer, but I already bought the book. I wish I could go to the book store (or even the library) as often as I can (I feel I could just sit there & could do alot more work). But my hubby uses the car for work during the week and public transport here is very scorifice. I bought the book last week so I could work on them this week @ home. Thank you very much for the offer. I did have some time to sit and read some of the Kaplan strategies while I was there and I might go back this weekend again and read more of it and do the Qs.

Just curious what other book resources are you using?

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Well...............don't laugh! i have done sooooooo many books its not funny!!!

I have done Kaplan, Saunders, Davis, Exam cram, La Charity..........i have the the box of Saunders review cards, and i have done the exam master site, Nclex 3000 and i have the Kaplan audio files and the Feuer files on my ipod!!!!!

Talk about over kill!!!!!

I am the kind of person that gets bored quickly so i kind of go back and forth through the different sources!!!

It may be my down fall in the end!!!!

God i feel sick just thinking about this test! next friday can you believe it?????

I have been on night duties all week with my new job.......so i am not studying as much as i should.........i hope that i will do ok on the day!

I am trying not to put too much pressure on myself......keep saying that the first go is a trial run and will help me "work" out the nclex!

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Well...............don't laugh! i have done sooooooo many books its not funny!!!

I have done Kaplan, Saunders, Davis, Exam cram, La Charity..........i have the the box of Saunders review cards, and i have done the exam master site, Nclex 3000 and i have the Kaplan audio files and the Feuer files on my ipod!!!!!

Talk about over kill!!!!!

I am the kind of person that gets bored quickly so i kind of go back and forth through the different sources!!!

It may be my down fall in the end!!!!

God i feel sick just thinking about this test! next friday can you believe it?????

I have been on night duties all week with my new job.......so i am not studying as much as i should.........i hope that i will do ok on the day!

I am trying not to put too much pressure on myself......keep saying that the first go is a trial run and will help me "work" out the nclex!

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WOW, you do have alot of text books. I'm confident you will pass!!! I hope you do and I know you will.

Best of luck. I'll be praying for you.

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Ditto mate!!!!

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Just got my ATT!

I could hear my heart pounding fast.... it really is happening soon. My aim was end of this month, I'm gonna have to see how I do with my studies. Lucky I made the calls and inquiries about why I didn't get my ATT soon. I called BON yesterday and they said they will have to re-send another eligibily letter to pearson vue and boom, it came so fast. I would have to thank you for it TabithaB. If you didn't mention how you got yours quick I would have problably waited and waited.

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I am so glad for you!!!!!!!

Hit the books kid and get it over and done with.........you and me both.......then we can start actually living in this new country!!!

I personally can't wait to have an all day shopping spree in Boston........the thought of it is all that keeps me going LOL!!

I would do anything for new shoes :-)

Let me know what date you end up booking for!

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Hey all

Aussie trained RN here too. I'm about to get my ATT and planning on taking NCLEX soon. Just started on reviewing seriously not long ago, I really just want to just take it once (as all of us takers hope to do).

BTW, I'm in FL. Got here on fiance visa and married my American man end of last year. Long distance love for 4 long years ...lol.I just finished my hurdles with the immigration proccess, so now I'm starting with my NCLEX journey.

I'm using Kaplan books that I inherited from a friend but I think it is a little outdated. I'm kinda hesitant to go straight to practice questions. So I'm going through contents first. Is it worth going straight to Q's???

How do guys go bout it?

Hi Crystelle and TabithaB,

Hi Girls, Im Belinda, an Aussie also looking at moving to the US this year (FL) with my American Husband of 6 years...however I dont yet have a nursing qualification..Have been excepted into Aussie Uni (Externally) and an Enrolled 12 month nursing program..After reading through your conversations between each other I would love to get in touch with either of you to ask a few questions regarding Nursing in the US. I come across these forums as I was trying to find out more info Re: either studying for Enrolled Nursing (I was thinking to hopefully work there in the US faster) then continue with the RN Online external program.. Or just start the RN Nursing program and get that underway. Seems like you girls have both had problems in regards to getting the Credentials Evaluation Service, Nursing and Science Course by Course Report to except your Aussie degree subject for subject here in the US. This is whats concerning me.. Do you think it be the same if I came over there to the US as an Aussie enrolled nurse do you think (trying to transfer to LPN)? Otherwise do you think If just do the degree I would have the same problem also..??? Thinking of doing the degree externally through Charles Darwin or Enrolled through Australian Nurses Federation.

Cheers Girls!! Would love to hear from you!! :)

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Specializes in Paediatrics.

I know this is an older topic, but I just thought I would contribute :D

I graduated and worked in Sydney, Australia in 2008. I did my new grad in a children's hospital before moving to Califonia, USA in 2009 to be with my American husband.

I received my ATT last years and I'm scheduled to take the exam on May 7, 2011 at 8am(!).

Oh gosh. I hope i'll be fine. Good luck everyone!

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Hi ACUJenny, a lot of the others posting on this forum have found issues with not having enough clinical and theory hours in paeds and mid, did you run into this problem? I'm currently studying nursing in QLD and very keen to move back to Texas in the US as soon as I finish. Would be very keen to hear about your experiences?

thanks

Coco

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