Does Australia have a registration exam?

[madascanbeRNtobe]

Hi everyone and peace.

Thanks for taking the time to read and answer my question. I am a nurse in Canada, I graduated from a 4 year degree program in January of 2010, hence I was a graduate nurse. In February of 2010, I wrote a registration exam, which I passed, and then became a registered nurse.

I have been working full-time hours since my graduation, in a general medicine unit in a large city teaching hospital ( large by Canadian standards, just under a million people), and am now looking for some travel opportunities before i get old and settled down. I have been considering Australia as one of my options, as a place to come live for 6 months, but I want to work as a nurse while I am here.

Basically, my plan is to apply for an Australian Nursing License, and to apply for a 6 month work and holiday visa, and apply for a part-time nursing job in general medicine, to also give me time to travel. I want to stay out of the major cities (no, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane etc, coz i'm a small-town girl at heart)

I have done some initial research, and have the online application to apply for an Australian nursing license. It seems, I meet all the requirements, but im confused as to whether once (and if), my application is successfully processed, I have to write a registration exam? (or such a thing does not exist in Australia, because I can't find any mention of it).

Also, if I do decide to go through with this, I am planning for about October 2012 to make the move. In your opinion am I giving myself sufficient time? Also, in your opinion (as you guys live and work in Australia), is my plan totally ludicrous or can it be feasible? (like would someone hire me, knowing i'd be leaving in 6 months, would they be more willing to do that in a smaller town vs a city?)

Thanks so much

Mad

[madascanbeRNtobe]

Also one thing to keep in mind is that overall Australia has a much higher cost of living than Canada. Like I have just over 2 years of experience, and I make just over 30 dollars an hour, but to go to Australia and to make 30 dollars an hour, and to pay significantly more a month for rent, groceries etc is pretty much taking a pay cut.

I just want to do it for a few months, so it does not factor too big in my decision, but it may in someone else's

Mad.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I'd be taking a pay cut for sure, but in exchange for more sunshine, warmer temperatures and the beach, it's worth it.

[madascanbeRNtobe]

Yah, I kind of understand what you are getting at Joanna, but I do like the weather here with our four distinct seasons. The winters are cold like they are supposed to be, and the summers are hot like they are supposed to be. :)

I'm also saving up quite a huge chunk of my pay right now, while my costs are low being child-less and all, who knows what the future holds with job security, and children etc.

Anyways, Joanna, I don't think you have applied for your license yet, but when you are ready to, and have questions about the process, feel free to ask me as I am going through it right now. But just so you know, with the fees for the english exam, you are looking at spending about $750 just for the license, and the visa is a whole other process.

Mad.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the info Mad :) I hope the process goes smoothly for you. I visited Australia a few years back, and I love it. I also despise the winter, and I would be more than happy to leave winter permanently.