Competency Assessment Service - Queensland, Australia

cvekowalska · Mar 4, 2009

Joe turtle,

If you need more info, you can drop me an email at

I did the one day clinical challenge test in Woolloongabba last November 2008, I passed the exam but I went through the hole of a needle. It is extremely difficult, the exam lasted 5 hours 10 minutes. I did the actual clinical setting at Princess Alexandra Hospital.

If you haven't work at any clinical setting in Australia, you better go for the 1 month clinical placement as there is orientation with that program. The problem with the 1 day clinicals is you do not have an orientation. I was an AIN here working at an Aged Care but I had a very hard time passing the 1 day clinicals, I paid $500 for the 1 day clinical exam and for sure you dont want to fail it or they will refer you to the 1 month module which you have to pay another $900.

They placed me in different facilities of the hospital, gave patients, you manage their nursing care, you delegate with the subordinates. My first assigned area was the Rapid Assessment Unit, and holy ****, with all those machines in front of me, I almost collapsed. I made massive deep breathing and the Preceptor gave me a Cardiac Patient. She told me I have 1 hour to assess the patient head to foot. Then she required me to call the Physician and relate my findings, the doctor asked what was my medical diagnosis, a primary and a secondary. The patient was on Holter monitoring, ECG interpretation is a basic skill for nurses.

But good luck to you, you can never tell yourself that you are capable to pass it not unless you try it, I hope you have a long and wide clinical experience back in the Philippines.

I was also required to take an Arterial Blood Gas sample etc.

I survived because I think because my Pre med course was BS Bio, went up to 3 years medical proper then nursing. Regarding a place to stay, my best advise is find a room-mate, or flat mate. backpackers is another idea. Search the net at. easyroommate.com.au, or shareaccomodation.com.au

Go to queensland via Sydney. Then take a domestic flight from Sydney to Brisbane. Or by train can be.

Carlos Kowalska

joeturtle · Mar 4, 2009

Carlos,

Thank you very much for sharing this information. I am confident with my clinical skills since I worked in the ICU for quite some time. However, I would not be prepared for the Australian set-up. Well, I have to face the test head on and prepare even harder. I don't know if it would be much different since what I will have will be a simulated setting and not the actual clinical setting. Again, thank you for the info, now I know what to expect.

cvekowalska · Mar 4, 2009

Dear Joe turtle,

A friendly advise, while you still have some time, try to download in the Internet the MIMS Australia. Medication here is far different from what we have in the Phils. as Phils. curriculum is patterned in the US. Here medications are all UK based. Just like Furosemide there, Frusemide here et.al. But the concept of medicine calculation is the same. Try browsing the most important drugs in MIMS Australia.

Also try to familiarise yourself with computer charting, there are available practice in the net.

The delegation and endorsement principle is a must for you to know by heart.

And one more thing, make the Australian Nursing Manual - your Bible!!!! Follow it and you'll get registered. I have a friend who was a C.I. back in Phils who failed the Clinicals because she did not follow the Australian Nursing Manual but this was in Sydney. But at any rate, the Nursing Practice Manula will be your guide.

Also, familiarize yourself with the most common diseases as you can expect these are the kind of patients that they will throw to you for competence evaluation. - I hope you will not get a Filipino preceptor.

The most notorious preceptors here, sad to say and very unfortunate - are our very own Pinoy nurses. Fortunately there is no Pinoy in the Nursing Board.

Make a difference - once you get registered and one day if you'll be appointed by the Board to be a preceptor - make a difference among the rest.

COPD's, Cardiac, Colon, Diabetes are the most common patients they give you.

And one more thing, If you do not know how to use a machine being asked from you to use and manipulate - never pretend - tell your preceptor and evaluator honestly - you do not know how to use it, There are instances in the evaluation - if your preceptor is good - will teach you how to use it before she starts evaluating you.

God bless to your exam. Everybody feels jittery with the clinicals, even myself, It took me 8 months to fully adapt to hospital setting here - its totally different from Phil. setting.

Carlos Kowalska

ters · Mar 4, 2009

Hi Joeturtle!

I have a friend who is interested in seeking registration as an RN in Australia but has no work experience. Is work experience vital in obtaining registration in Queensland or do you know of a Filipino RN who has no work experience but was able to obtain eligibility to take the bridging course or CAS for Queensland registration? Also, my friends is a second courser. Do they discriminate against second coursers?

I hope you can help me with these concerns. Thank you very much and congrats for passing your CAS exams.

dolcevitarn · Mar 4, 2009

Dear Joe turtle,
A friendly advise, while you still have some time, try to download in the Internet the MIMS Australia. Medication here is far different from what we have in the Phils. as Phils. curriculum is patterned in the US. Here medications are all UK based. Just like Furosemide there, Frusemide here et.al. But the concept of medicine calculation is the same. Try browsing the most important drugs in MIMS Australia.
Also try to familiarise yourself with computer charting, there are available practice in the net.
The delegation and endorsement principle is a must for you to know by heart.
And one more thing, make the Australian Nursing Manual - your Bible!!!! Follow it and you'll get registered. I have a friend who was a C.I. back in Phils who failed the Clinicals because she did not follow the Australian Nursing Manual but this was in Sydney. But at any rate, the Nursing Practice Manula will be your guide.
Also, familiarize yourself with the most common diseases as you can expect these are the kind of patients that they will throw to you for competence evaluation. - I hope you will not get a Filipino preceptor.
The most notorious preceptors here, sad to say and very unfortunate - are our very own Pinoy nurses. Fortunately there is no Pinoy in the Nursing Board.
Make a difference - once you get registered and one day if you'll be appointed by the Board to be a preceptor - make a difference among the rest.
COPD's, Cardiac, Colon, Diabetes are the most common patients they give you.
And one more thing, If you do not know how to use a machine being asked from you to use and manipulate - never pretend - tell your preceptor and evaluator honestly - you do not know how to use it, There are instances in the evaluation - if your preceptor is good - will teach you how to use it before she starts evaluating you.
God bless to your exam. Everybody feels jittery with the clinicals, even myself, It took me 8 months to fully adapt to hospital setting here - its totally different from Phil. setting.
Carlos Kowalska

Where do you get the Australian Nursing manual?

cvekowalska · Mar 4, 2009

Each of the Australia Hospital has their own Nursing Manual, we always refer to that. That is the Bible of our profession, If we follow that standard based on their manual, we will surely get registered.

You do not need any clinical experience to be approved for the CAS program. the QNC evaluates your papers on a case to case basis. You just have to make a declaration that you do not have clinical experience, aside from your RLE - and perhaps the reason for this.

Guys, better hurry up!!! The National Registration Scheme in Australia is well under way to take effect this June 2010. It means tougher requirements as there will only be 1 Statutory Body to register nurses. Right now it is done per State, and Queensland is very liberal to that. Sydney is one of the most diffuclt State to register at the moment. All the Individual Nursing Boards will be eliminated by next year to give way to the National Registration Body.

Good luck with your application. Three things to remember - Be Good at Assessment - Be Good at Pharma - Be Good at AnaPhysio - you have with you the Best Weapon.

CK

jaylimjr · Mar 4, 2009

Hi Joeturtle. can you help me with this book pls..khit copy lng..

Transcultural Nursing in Multicultural Australia by the Royal College of Nursing. 1996

It seems its only available in Australia's library.

thanks po.. God bless..

punjabi · Mar 4, 2009

Dear Joe turtle,
A friendly advise, while you still have some time, try to download in the Internet the MIMS Australia. Medication here is far different from what we have in the Phils. as Phils. curriculum is patterned in the US. Here medications are all UK based. Just like Furosemide there, Frusemide here et.al. But the concept of medicine calculation is the same. Try browsing the most important drugs in MIMS Australia.
Also try to familiarise yourself with computer charting, there are available practice in the net.
The delegation and endorsement principle is a must for you to know by heart.
And one more thing, make the Australian Nursing Manual - your Bible!!!! Follow it and you'll get registered. I have a friend who was a C.I. back in Phils who failed the Clinicals because she did not follow the Australian Nursing Manual but this was in Sydney. But at any rate, the Nursing Practice Manula will be your guide.
Also, familiarize yourself with the most common diseases as you can expect these are the kind of patients that they will throw to you for competence evaluation. - I hope you will not get a Filipino preceptor.
The most notorious preceptors here, sad to say and very unfortunate - are our very own Pinoy nurses. Fortunately there is no Pinoy in the Nursing Board.
Make a difference - once you get registered and one day if you'll be appointed by the Board to be a preceptor - make a difference among the rest.
COPD's, Cardiac, Colon, Diabetes are the most common patients they give you.
And one more thing, If you do not know how to use a machine being asked from you to use and manipulate - never pretend - tell your preceptor and evaluator honestly - you do not know how to use it, There are instances in the evaluation - if your preceptor is good - will teach you how to use it before she starts evaluating you.
God bless to your exam. Everybody feels jittery with the clinicals, even myself, It took me 8 months to fully adapt to hospital setting here - its totally different from Phil. setting.
Carlos Kowalska

now ..that scares me... :zzzzz

punjabi · Mar 4, 2009

Hi Joeturtle. can you help me with this book pls..khit copy lng..
Transcultural Nursing in Multicultural Australia by the Royal College of Nursing. 1996
It seems its only available in Australia's library.
thanks po.. God bless..

joeturtle...me too.. :coollook:

cvekowalska · Mar 5, 2009

Guys, the Books being recommended by CAS Office are exactly what will come out in the exam. the Part A Challenge Test, I would say, are all book based!!! If you read the books by heart - you will surely pass, those that acquire a grade of 80% and above for each of the component - are given the privilege to sit for the 1 day clinical exam - this will save you a lot of money, instead of paying for the moduels which is $900 each.

I went straight for the 1 day clinical practice in actual setting. Its not that easy, challenges are constantly given. But, please - MY RULE IN LIFE - ALWAYS TELL YOURSELF - IF OTHERS WAS ABLE TO PASS IT - WHY CANNOT WE??? IF THEY CAN, IF THEY DID - THEN WE ALL CAN PASS, WE ALL CAN DO IT! :)

I bought my books - the one specifically given by CAS office (It was posted here in earlier post) at ebay.com.au

A lot cheaper - I saved a lot of money.

On a side note - make good for your IELTS exam, the rigor of that exam is another torture - in my own opinion it is simply money making. Because here in Australia - you can see a lot of people - working in hospital - who doesnt know how to spell correctly - For sure, If I'd be given the chance to subject them to these english exam - they will repeat endlessly - but thats the irony of life - they arent required to get it - so they let others sit for that IELTS - $$$$

Good luck folks

CK

joeturtle · Mar 5, 2009

Carlos,

Thank you so much for all the tips. I really can't thank you enough for sharing all the tips on the clinical challenge test. I feel less anxious now with all the information you have provided in this forum. I still have 3 more weeks to prepare. I will give it my best shot. What you have shared about Filipino preceptors is really sad. I mean they are supposed to help their countrymen. I hope more nurses will be like you and help other nurses realize their dreams instead of making it difficult for them. We can only pray for those types of people. Again, thank you for the tips and if you remember some more, please post them here. You made it as a registered nurse in Queensland and that is a source of inspiration for all nurses taking the same path. :up:

joeturtle · Mar 5, 2009

Hi Joeturtle!
I have a friend who is interested in seeking registration as an RN in Australia but has no work experience. Is work experience vital in obtaining registration in Queensland or do you know of a Filipino RN who has no work experience but was able to obtain eligibility to take the bridging course or CAS for Queensland registration? Also, my friends is a second courser. Do they discriminate against second coursers?
I hope you can help me with these concerns. Thank you very much and congrats for passing your CAS exams.

Yes, there are some applicants who received approval from QNC even without work experience and second coursers may also be approved by the council. I too am a second courser. However, remember that applications are always assessed individually and on a case to case basis.