Australian nurse wanting to work in America

World Immigration

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Hello! I am an Aussie RN from Melbourne Australia. I am very interested in working as a nurse in America due to family reasons. Especially interested in Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Colorado or Arizona. I have completed a 3 year bachelor course in Australia and am concerned that I may not have the required obstetrics and pediatric hours required. Is there a course I complete in Melbourne or even in the USA to make up these hours? I would love to know where to begin the process of moving to the USA. i would like to add that i was an IV drug endorsed enrolled nurse for 5 years prior to an RN in case that helps. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you

Specializes in Telemetry, Emergency, Cardiology, Respiratory.
13 minutes ago, MikkieZhzh said:

Maria my aim is Texas but seems tricky with the obs/paeds missing so I'm hoping to try a state thats less lenient with registration then when I manage to relocate probable study the missing obs/ paeds in the US then move to Texas because I have been told once you have a license in any state you can endorse in any other state. I have called Australian nursing college they have grad certificates in paeds but do not have clinical placement so it will be pointless enrolling.

I would use caution when saying 'you can endorse in any other state' because as I mentioned earlier some states are much stricter in terms of educational requirements than the others. Some states like California have very stringent concurrency rules and will deny your application based on that. Others will require a credentials assessment from an agency like CGFNS. While your NCLEX-RN exam is valid in all States and territories, each individual state has its own eligibility criteria.

2 Votes
Specializes in RN.

YeXinZhi okay I get you but if I do supplement the deficient areas like pursue studies obs and paeds in the US in the first state that I get the license you mean I won't be able to get endorsement in another state like Texas because it looks like it is difficult to supplement here.

1 Votes
Specializes in RN.
1 hour ago, Silverdragon102 said:

You can not endorse to every state once you have a license. Sometimes the state will require you to provide a report as if doing initial application because you trained outside the US. We have seen this posted a few times from members that still have issues despite being licensed and even worked in another state

okay thank you. what of if I do the extra education there in the US will it be hard to get endorsement still? Here its proving difficult

1 Votes
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

It depends on the state and whether they will accept the course

2 Votes
Specializes in Telemetry, Emergency, Cardiology, Respiratory.
On 8/26/2019 at 3:14 AM, MikkieZhzh said:

okay thank you. what of if I do the extra education there in the US will it be hard to get endorsement still? Here its proving difficult

Hi MikkieZhzh,

I guess mine and Silverdragon's points are, what one state accepts as sufficient credentials do not necessarily mean another state will accept it as so. However, your NCLEX-RN exam is valid in ALL U.S. states. Having said that, passing the NCLEX-RN exam does not automatically grant you licensure as a nurse. The NCLEX-RN exam is ONE of the components of a licensure application, which may include criminal history check, credentials evaluation, mandatory education (i.e. HIV education in Washington state).

Your best bet is to apply to the State where you are planning to relocate to. If they say you need to do obs or peds or whatever deficiency they say you have, ask for a list of accredited schools. I say this because, as previously mentioned, states like California have very strict rules, and will only accept supplemental education from a very short list of schools within California ONLY.

Most states also require an SSN or an ITIN (tax number) before they will even consider your application while some states like Vermont, do not require. You will have to check with the relevant state board of nursing as each one has unique requirements.

2 Votes
On 11/7/2018 at 6:55 AM, AussieK said:

Hi Aussie nurses, and YeXinZhi,

With 15 years RN experience, mainly in acute/critical care & emergency, I'm also an Australian (NSW) nurse interested in working in the USA, preferably New York. My thoughts were to work there on a temporary basis - ie around 12-18 months. I have not started any process yet, but I have read your comments, and wondering how you've progressed.

I did communicate via email with US-based international recruitment agency 'Avant Healthcare Professionals' (check their website) who guide you through the lengthy and challenging process, and basically take care of most of it. They were excellent in answering some basic initial questions I asked before I began the process. It was through this communication they informed me that they offer a minimum 3-year contract at one location. For me, 3 years is too long, so I'm now looking for other agencies offering temporary employment. Any suggestions or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

where was the the location that avant offered if i may ask?

1 Votes

Hey

My name is Ann, recently I have completed my Bachelors in Nursing course in Australia. I am kind a worried about Nclex exam. I am not sure will I be approve for Nclex application. I know its weird to ask but if you're US citizen does that help ? Also, do I have to take any bridge course or any other course in order to get higher chance for Nclex exam approval.

1 Votes
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Being a US citizen doesn’t matter as it all goes on your training

3 Votes
Specializes in Paramedic, Registered Nurse.

Hi Ann

Like the comment above, being a US citizen doesn't help.

This is a comment I left for another person, I think it will answer your question...

I've done thorough investigations, and unfortunately there is no such bridging course in Australia. I had my conversion report done when I only had 1 semester left of my RN degree, and included my paramedic degree (so two bachelor degrees), and through liaising with a very helpful uni in Texas, I would have to do 2-3 years of their nursing degree.

Deakin University in Melbourne used to offer the conversion course for qualified RN's, however they no longer offer it. The representative from Deakin said you may as well do a bridging course in the USA, rather than do additional courses here in Australia, because you run the risk of the USA Registration Board still not accepting it, and have wasted all that money and time. Basically, you may as well pay there and do it properly, than pay here and it be for nothing.

If it helps, here is the question I initially posed to Deakin and their response:

My question:

Do you offer stand alone units in obstetrics and paediatrics for RN's, which include clinical placements?

I understand Australian nurses lack the obstetrics and paediatrics academic and clinical placements required for licencing and registration. I was directed to Deakin and told they might have these supplementary courses, as people have undergone in the past.

Deakin answer:

In the past we did offer additional single unit studies and the compulsory clinical placement to fill the lack of maternity and paediatric studies for nurses wishing to register in the USA. This was a process costing up to $4000 to complete all the requirements and could take up to 6 months to complete.

However in recent years a number of US Nursing Registration Boards have rejected our studies as not meeting their requirements so we no longer offer studies.

We now advise nurses to complete the additional studies at the available US providers to ensure registration can be achieved. You may be able to seek further details on how to go about this from the Board of Nursing you are wishing to register with.

2 Votes
Specializes in RN.

Hello everyone. Has anyone recently been successful. Which Unis can one approach in the US especially Texas to supplement? Please help thanks

1 Votes
Specializes in CTICU.
On 8/28/2019 at 1:30 PM, YeXinZhi said:

Most states also require an SSN or an ITIN (tax number) before they will even consider your application while some states like Vermont, do not require.

I know this is not a new post, but for those reading now, I believe for several years now Vermont has required a SSN for initial and renewal RN licensure.

On 2/1/2020 at 1:59 AM, MikkieZhzh said:

Hello everyone. Has anyone recently been successful. Which Unis can one approach in the US especially Texas to supplement? Please help thanks

What does Texas BON say? I would ask them for approved courses.

Specializes in Oncology/Haematology/Stem Cell Transplant, Med/Sur.

Dear Oznurse73,

I am also an Australian Nurse - I have passed the NCLEX with my bachelor of nursing with California about 16 years ago and did not need to do any additional courses. I did my Nursing degree at Southern Cross University located in Lismore NSW - if that helps you at all. I am not trying to rub sand in the wound. But I wonder how you are proceeding with your hours with Peds & Obstetrics?

I got thinking after reading the posts - and have a couple to suggestions.

1. Explore if you could do the nursing components of peds & obstetrics online through a university in the USA - (if this is feasible) if this would help your plight.

2. I know the Mater Hospital in Brisbane has Education programs (they may be able to provide some insight into the areas you are inquiring about) - they are large health system (Mater public Hospital/Mater Private Hospital & Mater Mothers Hospital) and located right beside the Children's Hospital in Brisbane so you might have success inquiring here. www.matereducation.qld.edu.au - www.mater.org.au

3. I would also consider looking at Canada for further education in these areas - for us - it might be cost effective (commonwealth country) but their is a close affiliation with Canada and the USA - you could go on this site and see if Canadian nurses had any issues with these subjects or if someone can provide further information for you. I have recently learnt that the same NCLEX exam is recognized in both Canada & USA.

I am just brain storming.

Good Luck

Brissygal

2 Votes
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