Long time reader, first time poster

[Laurendd]

Hi to everyone out there, this forum is such an invaluable resource!

I've been doing alot of soul searching lately and have felt the need to make some really important decisions regarding my career.

I am originally from the USA and ended up in Australia after I met a guy (you all know how the story goes). So I started building my life here which included getting my nursing degree. Well, as you might guess, the relationship broke down. I took a year off before my last year of uni to go home, be with my family, and decide if I was going to go it alone in Australia or not. I did come back to finish my final year of my degree (which will be finished in November!) and now have almost come to the conclusion that I will finish up here and go home. I know it is a hard road I have chosen but I wouldn't change anything even if I could.

I'm luckier than most, I have the full support of my family and I can work in the USA (although not as a nurse) while waiting for the CES and doing the courses I will inevitably have to make up. I'm in the same boat as others in the fact that my school does no maternal/ob subjects and even though I had a maternity placement set for october it was cancelled a couple of days ago. I know it will all work out for the best somehow. There are plenty of schools around my home in the USA and I plan to start emailing enquiries soon. I would have never known about trying to go in as a guest student had it not been for everyone here and it is so good to know that I am not the first, nor will I be the last to go through this. It takes me back to when I first came to Australia and had to go through the spouse visa nightmare. I got through that, I am hopeful that I can get through this.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

welcome to the site and good luck on your journey I am sure you will get there

[Laurendd]

Thanks so much, it feels really good to talk about it.

[suzanne4, RN]

Glad that you decided finally to start posting. Not sure which part of the US that you will be coming back to, but recommend that you get in contact with the community colleges in your area for completing the required hours that you will need.

I would start with that, most require that you submit an application and then be available for when they have an opening for the classes that you will need. Easier to get done as a guest student, as you will not be graduating from there, just completing the required hours.

Best of luck to you.