Graduate Nurse Programs in Australia

[Heparinlock]

Hello everyone!

I searched the net hoping to find employment opportunities in Australia. I found this program offered in most hospitals - The Graduate Nurse Program. I found it really interesting since im a Newly Registered Nurse here in the Philippines with no relevant Hospital experience yet. I would really really love to start my Nursing Career in Australia and get a World-class training in hospitals there.

I would like to ask, if you are enrolled in that program, will you be paid or it will just be pure volunteer work for you? if it really is just volunteer work, how will you support yourself in Australia? will you be allowed to work outside the hospital?

Thank you very much!

Best Regards,

Heparinlock, RN

[suzanne4, RN]

Very true, it is getting harder in the US for a new grad here to get a new grad program, so those are always going to go to the people that trained there first.

And it is impossible actually for a foreign-trained nurse to get one of those positions there as the Aussie government also requires some experience as well, as well as a bridge program.

[victorian]

Thanks suzanne!

I am already starting to process for my initial registration in Victoria Australia. I am planning to join the Graduate Nurse Program for 2009.

How long will that Bridge Program take place ma'am suzanne? will I be allowed to work when i'm enrolled in that program? I'm considering Epworth HEalthcare.

Thanks and best regards;)

heparinlock, may i ask who certified the documents you passed to NBV?

[R*Star*RN, BSN, RN]

Does anyone know -- do all non-Australian RNs have to do the bridge program?

I have been very interested in living in Australia even before I started nursing school, and actually almost went to university there to become a nurse.

Now I have just graduated and obtained my RN liscense in the US, but I am also a Canadian citizen which would allow me to work in Australia for up to a year at a time. Would it be possible after gaining work experiance to live/work in Australia for a year without doing the bridge program?

Thanks :)

[elmar22]

At the risk of sounding harsh, I don't think the New Graduate Programs should take foreign trained RNs. Australia and NZ have their own new grads who have been trained to work with the local population and they should always have priority. Australia and NZ need experienced nurses, not new graduates from a foreign country, who require substantial acclimatisation and further ongoing supervision and training.

I believe every country should foster an environment of teaching and support of its own nurses and active measures to continue to keep those nurses as they become skilled and experienced.

I agree..the article below shows how competitive to get a slot for AUS graduates for the New Graduate Program. I don't think they will accept new graduates from foreign countries.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/...620272639.html

[elmar22]

I agree..the article below shows how competitive to get a slot for AUS graduates for the New Graduate Program. I don't think they will accept new graduates from foreign countries.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/...620272639.html

Correction of the URL of the article:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/new-nurses-denied-work-at-hospitals/2008/01/19/1200620272639.html

[suzanne4, RN]

Does anyone know -- do all non-Australian RNs have to do the bridge program?

I have been very interested in living in Australia even before I started nursing school, and actually almost went to university there to become a nurse.

Now I have just graduated and obtained my RN liscense in the US, but I am also a Canadian citizen which would allow me to work in Australia for up to a year at a time. Would it be possible after gaining work experiance to live/work in Australia for a year without doing the bridge program?

Thanks :)

If you graduated from the US, then you do not need to do a bridge program. The US also has a treaty agreement with Australia as well in terms of living there and working there; just like the Canadians do if you were a US citizen.

You still will need to have your file and credentials evaluated to work there as an RN, the licensing process will need to be completed and each state has their own requirements there.

Best of luck to you and congratulations on passing the NCLEX exam.

[chelseaxyrene]

I just want to ask about GNP. There are universities in Australia that offer 1 year nursing program for overseas nurses. If I graduate from an Australian Institution and be registered, will I be eligible to undergo the GNP? Thanks!