BN (1 yr conversion programme)

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Hi all,

I'm an overseas hospital trained RN and always wanted to move to Australia. My IELTS score was 7 in all modules except in wriing, an overall score of 7.0. To register with any Nursing board, you should have a 7.0 in writing so I planned to go for a conversion programme for registered nurse which I thought would be best for me since I had my RN 10 years back and haven't been working as RN. I believe I will be eligible for registration after finishing this course.

Luckily, Flinders university has offered me for this year programme. Now my question is, should I go for this programme which last a year and cost AUD 15000+ or should I do another IELTS and try for registration directly with Nursing board?

Do many nurses do this kind of course?

Thank you in advance.

Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

Firstly, before you make this decision, check with the Nurses Board in the state you are planning to stay in. I assume in your case it would be South Australia.

Secondly, you state you haven't been working as an RN for 10yrs. I know in my state, after 5 years you have to do a refresher course.

Also the Australian system, and even the drug names will be different. For example, in America, paracetamol is called acetaminophen (hope I spelt that right), and pethidine is meperidine. And you will also find the attitudes of patients different.

Following this, I would suggest that you do the conversion course.

Best of luck

Jay

Thanks Jay.

That's what I thought of taking the course. I would gain a knowledge of nursing in Australia and also a degree when I complete.

regards,

go4pan

Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

Hope things go well for you...

Well, the things didn't go very well as I expected. What happened is, I am supposed to do the Pre-visa assessment 12 weeks prior to course commencement. Since the course starts July 08, I was consulting agent to start PVA. Unfortunately, recieved a call from IDP that the course I was taking is full.

When I consult with them, uni said they don't accept early payment so that I could hold a place. Now the next intake is July 09 and I cannot accept the offer until April 09 after passing my PVA assessment. So I guess have to check my luck again or any suggestions from you guys?

Thank you.

Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

Can you go through another university? 2009 is eons away! Does Australia want nurses or not?!!!

I am so sorry to hear your news...

Specializes in CTICU.

Look at other universities, there are plenty. I'm sure at least some of them offer conversion programs. The other alternative is, people may drop out of this one, so ask to be on a cancellation list. I'm sure the uni won't want to miss out on your $$$.

Specializes in Medical.

For all the conversion courses available, check out Good Guides here

Thank you to all.

I'm looking into some other uni's as well but for Feb 09 intake.

I'm wondering how's the western australia like? Does anyone have been worked or studied in curtin or murdoch? Are they well recognized in nursing?

Please drop any experience or news.

regards,

go4pan

Specializes in Medical.

WA's beautiful (I hear), though ages away from the east coast (where the majority of capital cities and the bulk of the population are). Curtin and Murdoch are well known, but from an accreditation point of view it really doesn't make a huge difference where you go - nobody will decide not to hire you because you went to X, or thing you're a true star because you graduated from Y.

I'd be more inclined to look at how well the course, clinicals and location suit you than reputation when picking an undergraduate nursing degree. Good luck!

can anyone explain to me what is the 1 year conversion programme? I'm waitng for the results of the assessment of the nmb in nsw and I'm thinking that if I might study there. thanks!

Specializes in Medical.

The conversion program is for nurses currently qualified in Division Two of the Nurses' Act (ie division 2 nurses, formerly known as State Enrolled nurses, with a smaller scope of practice and requirement for closer supervision) to qualify as division one nurses (wider range of scope of practice, more autonomy, stronger and longer career path).

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