Hey, any Aussies working in the USA?

suzanne4, RN · Oct 20, 2008

If one has never worked in the US, then they are not going to be doing what we call travel assignments in the US. These require US experience and being able to hit the floor running without any orientation, other than to perhaps the computer, etc. But nothing in terms of nursing, etc.

Even for US nurses that travel, they are required to be licensed in each state where they will work. If they live in a state that is covered by the Compact License, then that license would be valid for all of the Compact states; however a foreign nurse, one is never issued a compact license initially since they are not usually a current resident in the US and that must be maintained. If the nurse moves from their initial state, then the compact part of the license ceases to exist and that license is only valid for the one state.

Retrogression is still affecting all that wish to come to the US as well; just for those from Canada, Mexico, and Australia can qualify for a treaty visa and they have to hold a passport from that country. Landed immigrant status or permanent resident status is not accepted for this.

It still comes down to what courses were completed during the program and the number of hours in both clinical and theory if one will be accepted by the US to get licensed here.

straight4 · Oct 21, 2008

Thank you for your explanation. As mentioned in my previous post, I do have a US green card. I also realize that we need at least a year's experience to be a travel nurse. Currently, I am trying to find out as much as possible to plan for the future. So even for this travel nurse position, I foresee myself possibly doing it...sometime. Eventually.

I just wanted to confirm my fear that as a foreign grad (educated in Australia), it would make things very difficult (lengthy) for me to be a travel nurse, if it was possible in the first place. Therefore, I was intrigued when AussieRNinHI seemed to be a foreign grad who was doing travel nursing. So regardless of whether I have US residency, I guess being a foreign nurse will make it very difficult to be a travel nurse?

AussieRNinHI · Oct 21, 2008

Hi Straight4..

The only stumbling block i had was when I had applied to the BON and they came back saying i did not have enough hours in 2 subjects, so until i did them and passed them i was not able to sit the NCLEX exam. I already had my greencard since my husband is an American. I started to hunt for travel positions while in Australia. I did not come across any difficulties looking for a travel company and finding a job, there were so many, .. i dont know if it is because of my experience, or just luck, but i am actually at the end of my 2nd 13 week contract with the same hospital... they are a good bunch to work with, and have been really accomodating and nice.

tylerxx30 · Oct 22, 2008

Hi, thought this would be a good place to ask the opposite question..

I was thinking of going to Australia for a year to work..I've spoke with a recruiter and because I'm over the age of 30 I will need to choose a specific hospital for visa approval..they assure me that it's not a problem..but, here's the question:

1> money (pay), is is the same...how do taxes work

2> ICU work ..is the same...better or worse?

3> over time..is that possible with an 8hr work week?

4> Fun?

5> friendly/ accepting?

6> I was considering Brisbane...b/c I'm a single male and wanted to learn to sail and I scuba ...wanted a bit of single life..

any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

tylerxx30 · Oct 22, 2008

how do you like working in HI? does it pay enough by travel company?

AussieRNinHI · Oct 23, 2008

Hey Tyler!

I am actually in Alaska :-) At the time i created my nickname I was in Hawaii. Saying that, I have never worked in hawaii as a nurse. I have had a job offer in honolulu, ages ago, but was not licensed then. It was a pity, because the pay was pretty good.

With regards to working in Australia, I know there are certain requirements, but im not sure what they are for overseas nurses. I went back last year for 10months and i worked in Brisbane, mainly Wesley Private hospital and St Andrews hospital (check this link, its of the Wesley Hospital, its the largest private hospital in Brisbane, i enjoyed working there, I worked in OR there and saw some of the people i worked with in this clip

) .Agency nursing tends to pay more, because you do not get benefits that normal hospital staff get...you know, like sick leave, Annual leave (PL). For example as staff, for my level, I would be getting $30-31/hour, as agency, i would be getting 40-45/hour. Depending on what you earn, you fall under a certain tax bracket, normally its usually 30 cents for every dollar. Taxes will automatically be taken out from your pay. There are forms to fill out, you will need a tax file number. the company or hospital you work for should provide you these forms. The company i worked as an agency nurse in Brisbane was "australian recruiting" you can look them up on line. The lady who deals with the nurses is really nice and im sure she would be able to help you with regards to your questions, as they do hire internationally. i can give you her name if you like. The standard of health care is pretty high. We have a body called "The Queensland nurses union" who are proactive for nurses' rights. This is their website: http://www.qnu.org.au/ and this is of the Queensland nursing council by the way (for getting your nursing license).. you can contact them and find out about what you need to do http://www.qnc.qld.gov.au/contact/contact.aspx

There's no question about not having fun in Brissy! there are lots to do, and lots to see! There is around 1 million people there, and its close to the Gold Coast, you can either drive there or catch the train. There is a train system in Brisbane. Brisbane itself is beautiful... To fly to sydney would only take you an hour. If you want to scuba dive then while you are in Queensland you need to go up north to Cairns, you have great access to the Great barrier reef there!!

Overtime is possible, and i do think, they work 12 hour shifts in ICU dont quote me on that though! :-) Im sure you will have lots of fun and fall inlove with Australia! Anyway, i hope some of this info helps you!! :wink2:

straight4 · Oct 23, 2008

Hi AussieRNinHI,

I'm sorry but I am a bit confused...

So do you mean you are a travel nurse who travels to different hospitals within Alaska?

I at first thought you were a nurse who traveled to different states, so I was wondering about how complicated/difficult it would be to be approved by the BON of every state you intend to travel to.

And may I ask which two subjects you were lacking, where you took those subjects, and how long it took you?

Lastly, would you have any advice on whether to attend Univ of Adelaide or La Trobe Univ, in terms of quality of education/life, scope of studies, cost of living, student life, etc?

Thanks again. =)

AussieRNinHI · Oct 23, 2008

I am a travel nurse, and currently my travel assignment is in alaska. My contract is finishing soon and i am looking at going somewhere else. As for the different BONs here, how difficult it is depends on the BON's rules and regulations, normally you can just get an endorsement. Initially though you have to apply to a state where you want to go and work, you can do this by either going to the BON's website and reading the requirements or contact them for more info. via email or phone. Each state require you to sit for the NCLEX exam before you are licensed to work as an RN. You must satisfy the requirements. I did not have enough clinical hours in maternity and psychiatric. i had to redo both subjects and it took me 1 semester. Deakin University in Melbourne offers courses for you to be able to do this, it is designed for nurses from Australia wanting to work in USA. I do not know what Latrobe or University of Adelaide is like. i have never been to Adelaide, but have heard that it is very pretty. Sorry i cant be of any help with this regard.

allnurses Guide · Oct 23, 2008

Hi, thought this would be a good place to ask the opposite question..
I was thinking of going to Australia for a year to work..I've spoke with a recruiter and because I'm over the age of 30 I will need to choose a specific hospital for visa approval..they assure me that it's not a problem..but, here's the question:
1> money (pay), is is the same...how do taxes work
2> ICU work ..is the same...better or worse?
3> over time..is that possible with an 8hr work week?
4> Fun?
5> friendly/ accepting?
6> I was considering Brisbane...b/c I'm a single male and wanted to learn to sail and I scuba ...wanted a bit of single life..
any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks.

It's generally easier to post your own thread so you don't confuse people.

Djuna · Oct 23, 2008

I am a travel nurse, and currently my travel assignment is in alaska. My contract is finishing soon and i am looking at going somewhere else. As for the different BONs here, how difficult it is depends on the BON's rules and regulations, normally you can just get an endorsement. Initially though you have to apply to a state where you want to go and work, you can do this by either going to the BON's website and reading the requirements or contact them for more info. via email or phone. Each state require you to sit for the NCLEX exam before you are licensed to work as an RN. You must satisfy the requirements. I did not have enough clinical hours in maternity and psychiatric. i had to redo both subjects and it took me 1 semester. Deakin University in Melbourne offers courses for you to be able to do this, it is designed for nurses from Australia wanting to work in USA. I do not know what Latrobe or University of Adelaide is like. i have never been to Adelaide, but have heard that it is very pretty. Sorry i cant be of any help with this regard.

Wow, that post was so confusing. You really need to separate the process for the US and Australia to make it easier for someone who knows nothing.

Also, NCLEX is a one time only test, you do not sit it for each US State.

allnurses Guide · Oct 23, 2008

It's clear to me - she's just describing the process for an aussie to be licensed in the US.

sydneysista · Nov 16, 2008

Hey there,

I haven't sat for the NCLEX yet. Do you recommend the Saunders? Not the Kaplan? How long does it take to hear back from the CGFNS..I am going to NYC. How long does it take to study for the NCLEX?

Thank you so much..

Any info would be really appreciated!

:)