Are grad nursing programs mandatory?

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Hi all,

I will be graduating from UQ's Master of Nursing Studies (Grad Entry) in July 2011. I didn't realise until this point that very few hospitals have mid-year intake for graduate nurses throughout Australia. Does anyone know if doing a grad program is mandatory or if it is possible to gain employment straight from uni? I was considering taking 6mths off to travel if i can't get a job but i'd also like to start making some real money again! I'm particularly interested in sexual health. Another option might be moving to the US to start a grad program in September. Does anyone know if it is possible to move to the US straight from uni, or do you need a year experience?

Many thanks,

Zoe

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

What capacity are you looking at working in and with for the USA? ie what visa?

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Specializes in Mental Health, Emergency, Surgical.

No, in Australia it is not required to do a graduate year. There aren't enough places for everyone anyway. I have just graduated in South Australia and I have scoped it out. I have an agency lined up that said it's fine that I'm a new grad. Some places have said no, you must have your GNP year and others have asked to see my placement reports.

You can also do Graduate Diplomas straight out of uni - again, some unis prefer you to have experience while others just require you to be registered. There are various Grad Dips in sexual health - one at Uni of Sydney. Some are also named Grad Dip in Primary Health or in Women's health at various unis. I don't know how that articulates with a Grad entry masters however that is the only way to specialise.

Good Luck and if you go for what you want, you'll get your foot in somewhere.

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thanks buttercup99, much relieved now. silverdragon102, probably the E3 visa as you only need a job offer to obtain it. but im not sure if each US state has different regulations regarding experience of internationally trained nurses. for example, i know you need 12mths experience to register in the UK, but international nurses only need 6mths experience to register in Australia. talk about double standards.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
thanks buttercup99, much relieved now. silverdragon102, probably the E3 visa as you only need a job offer to obtain it. but im not sure if each US state has different regulations regarding experience of internationally trained nurses. for example, i know you need 12mths experience to register in the UK, but international nurses only need 6mths experience to register in Australia. talk about double standards.

E3 you may find requires you to have some experience. ghillbert would be the best one to answer this (or look for some of her old posts) US do require generalised training so if your transcripts do not have hours both clinical and theory in obstetrics, paeds, mental health and adult you may have problems meeting requirements

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