Australia Or Usa?

suzanne4, RN · Nov 29, 2007

Suggest that you do some reading on these forums, there is much information that you need to be aware of. Such as the fact that there are no visas available for the US, so that is out of the running at this time, and Australia also requires a bridge program that you need to pay for before you will be granted a license to work there.

elmar22 · Nov 29, 2007

Australia also requires a bridge program that you need to pay for before you will be granted a license to work there.

Not all PI trained nurses are required to undergo the bridge program. Those who got several years of experiences in countries like UK & Ireland are waived of this requirement....Oh, by the way, Australia is ranked 3rd by the Human Development Index (HDI) of UN as the most livable country in the world (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0778562.html ).

suzanne4, RN · Nov 29, 2007

If the nurse is currrently in the Philippines and has no other experience, then they have to complete the bridge program and that is what I was responding to. Nothing more.

If no work experience out of their country (PI), then the bridge program is a requirement of those that trained in PI.

My point to this is that it is not an automatic thing to be able to go there and begin work immediately.

wxyz · Nov 30, 2007

Hi to the both of you! Thanks for the reply.

Well, I just asked that kind of question because I am confused about where to go.

I already passed IELTS, CGFNS and NCLEX, but I don't have visa yet. I am aware about the retrogression that's why I plan to work first in Australia while waiting for the lifting of the retro in US.

But I am also thinking what if I surrender my chance of going to US for Australia? Dont you think I will regret it? I dont have any idea about the life in OZ, including the cost of living and salaries of nurses there. :uhoh3:

Hope you can help with this one.

Thanks!

wxyz · Nov 30, 2007

Oh by the way, I already got nearly two years working experience. Would that be enough for me not to take the program?

Thanks!

suzanne4, RN · Nov 30, 2007

You will have to check with the state in Australia that you are interested in, but from what I have seen and heard: if the training and experience was in your country, you will need to take their bridge program that takes about 6 months to complete.

Right now, for even a chance to work in the US, you are looking at more than two years. And longer if you do not already have a pending petition. There are many more applicants than there are visas available.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 30, 2007

You may wish to check out the Australian forum that we have here, there have already been discussions there about salaries and cost of living.

Best of luck to you.

rkm · Nov 30, 2007

Maybe Australia is the better option, as there is no end in sight for the retrogression.

wxyz · Dec 2, 2007

Thanks for the help. Well as of now, Im preparing the requirements needed for the registration in NSW. Someone told me that the processing there is quite faster than the other state like Queensland.

May I just ask suzzane reagrding the 6months bridge program. Will I receive any compensation for that? or I will pay for that bridge program?

And do i need to have agency as I go along with my application?

Thanks!

suzanne4, RN · Dec 3, 2007

You will not get paid for the bridge program as you will be considered a student at that time. And you will actually have to pay for it, not sure what the cost is running right now.

Three years ago, it was about $4,000 for the program.

And be aware that after completing the program, you will still need to pass their licensure exam as well as the IELTS and their English requirements are stricter than what the US requires.

Most do it thru an agency, not sure if it can be done on your own at this time.

wxyz · Dec 4, 2007

I already passed the IELTS just last month and luckily met the required score for Australia...That's why Im in a hurry to be there before it expires.. :lol2:

$4000! Oh wow! That's a quite huge amount. I think I need to find an agency that will offer support.

Uhm, do you know some agencies? Or if none, do you know where can I find them?

Thanks! God bless!