Australian nurse moving to Oregon

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Specializes in PACU.

Hi, I am an Aussie nurse of 7 years hoping to move to Oregon to join my boyfriend (a US citizen). I have just started researching the process of getting my nursing registration there and it seems like a long difficult and expensive process.

Can anyone tell me where I start? I have started studying for the NCLEX and I have a copy of my academic transcripts. I have read that the USA is not likely to accept my degree, how do I find this out and how do I made the requirements up? Also how do I get the criminal background check sorted if I am in Aus? I didn't want to go through an agency because I was just hoping to get the E3 visa. If anyone has done this process recently, any guidance would be greatly appreciated! Pretty much where do I start, and what steps should I be taking?

Thanks!!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

US nurses are generalist trained and require clinical and theory in adult, geriatric, obstetrics, pediatrics and psych/mental health. Most AUS nurses are deficient in obstetrics. It's very difficult to make up deficiencies. Deakin University used to offer the needed courses but I've read not so much any more

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Starting point would be visiting the state board of nursing (links are at the bottom of the page to state BONs) and look at requirements for International trained nurses. As mentioned you need to be general trained so any deficiencies may cause problems especially in finding somewhere to make up the hours required

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Specializes in PACU.

Wow, so in other words, the USA isn't accepting Australian nurses anymore? That is a shame for both countries, and creates a major problem for me. Thanks for your help.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

AUS nurses are trained to AUS standards. Those standards are not the same as US standards. Very few schools offer the classes such as OB with clinical & theory that will bring an IEN to the minimum standards of the US. (Guess not enough revenue plus difficulty to secure clinical placements for US schools)

It's not that US isn't accepting AUS nurses they just need to meet the qualifications the same for a US nurse trying to go to AUS. It's difficult but not impossible.

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Specializes in PACU.

Thanks for your help @JustBeachyNurse. Do you have any idea what schools do offer the make up classes?

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Specializes in PACU.

Also, is it even worth getting a CGFNS evaluation initially due to the likelihood of it being inadequate, or should I do courses first?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Also, is it even worth getting a CGFNS evaluation initially due to the likelihood of it being inadequate, or should I do courses first?

I'd try the evaluation first. The limited schools that may offer to remediate deficiencies will likely need verification of which courses you need Deakin University used to offer the needed coursework.

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Specializes in Critical Care / Emergency.

Hi Fraucheri,

I am an Aussie Nurse too. Get your Credential Verification Service with CGFNS frsi and go from thereon. Make sure you submit a complete requirements. I did my criminal clearance with any Australian Police Branch that has a fingerprinting (manual) capacity. I think it costs $48.

Once your CVS states your are comparable with US education, you can apply for the Board you wish to practice (New York is a bit different) I am still struggling to find a direct E3 Visa sponsor. I have offers with Avant and O Grady but their terms of employment is too harsh.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi Fraucheri,

I am an Aussie Nurse too. Get your Credential Verification Service with CGFNS frsi and go from thereon. Make sure you submit a complete requirements. I did my criminal clearance with any Australian Police Branch that has a fingerprinting (manual) capacity. I think it costs $48.

Once your CVS states your are comparable with US education, you can apply for the Board you wish to practice (New York is a bit different) I am still struggling to find a direct E3 Visa sponsor. I have offers with Avant and O Grady but their terms of employment is too harsh.

CVS is just for NY state better if looking at another state just getting CES report done which is accepted by most states

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Specializes in PACU.

Hi @cvekowalska! Thanks for your reply! Just a question, were your uni qualifications accepted or did you have to provide evidence that your clinical practice included infant and nursing care? The only uni in Aus that offered the course (Deakin) stopped it in 2015. I am hoping that my experience in PACU looking after many caesarian section patients (with baby friendly), will be accepted. I also look after paeds and mental health (ECT) patients. How did you get through the qualification hurdles? And how long did the process take? I'm hoping for the E3 visa as well as I need to be flexible with where I work. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care / Emergency.

Hi mate, apologies CVS was mistakenly typed (Thanks SilverDragon for correcting) I actually applied for CES first, but applied also for the CVS for New York. I was a Midwife, so my O&G and Paeds were very good. I suggest with your clinical experience, prepare a very thorough job description, employment certificates indicating units worked including hours (thats I did) It took me about 2 years working full time on my papers to meet the qualification requirements. I sat the NCLEX in Sydney. There are only limited Nursing Boards accepting foreign applications without a Social Security Number so I started in one of those and later applied for endorsement. Still I am working on my E3 Visa!

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