Meeting AHPRA requirements as a International Trained Nurse from the Philippines

World Registration

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what are the chances of getting bridging recommendation letter? Are they (AHPRA) planning to stop this program? Any updates? m worried

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Me too. I gave up a high paying job to give my all to this BP. Payed a large sum for the processing of my documents, IELTS, etc. My aunts in AUS are expecting me to be there this year and they are patient as well with regards to this ongoing thing with AHPRA. I gave up my job since Sept last year, took IELTS Oct, and sent my documents last week of November. It was my aunt in AUS who sent my documents to AHPRA since she visited us here in the Philippines of November last year. And the waiting goes on and on and on and on. But I gambled everything on this BP hoping to have a positive result in the end. But if that is not the case I'm trying to find ways for me to pursue my dreams in going to AUS. Any advise guys? Shall I go with this University thingy (1.5 years) or are there other options for me to be registered in AUS as a nurse?

Btw, I found this site when i copy-pasted and searched the net what was emailed to me by my registration officer. I just wanted to know how many were affected by this thing with AHPRA and these numbers are serious. Looks like everyone here who applied after Oct have pending documents. It's so scary knowing that I gave my all for the BP, but whatever the outcome will be I'm trying to find other ways to go to AUS to practice my profession.

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Specializes in EENT, MS, Aged Care.

If you think we should take action for these delays on our application, then we should. If UK nurses took their own fight to be heard, then we should also. How many Filipino educated nurse have you heard was given a decision after this new scheme? I know one. Single applicant after hundreds of us?

We can email Mr. Fletcher, CEO of AHPRA about our disappointment.

Our wait, especially those who have lodged their papers last year, is already irrational and illogical.

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I'm with you bro. I'll give Ahpra some more time with this matter, "The National Board is aware that the Philippines may not meet the evidentiary requirements for a number of the IQNM qualification assessment criteria and, as a matter of priority, is exploring the options that will enable Filipino-educated nurses such as you to meet these requirements".

I've been waiting for a result for 9 months already and the wait is a real burden. It's just hard that I remained stagnant for quite a while now. Time is ticking and it's no joke to sit and take IELTS again. It'll expire in a years time, 10k, and my hospital/ work experience as well will not fit in the 5 year post grad experience they are looking for.

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Hi guys! I just went in AHPRA office this afternoon in sydney.. im the only one who was there with the staff and they arent so busy.

I just brought my papers I thought it'll help with my application, MAN diploma, TOR, course description and outline. BSN course description etc.

I also got a chance to ask questions with the front desk in charge of receiving the applications.

First, i asked her how long would it take? She said Its quite long, it should take a minimum of 4 months up to 6 months for those with international qualification..(hoping for that to happen)

Second, is it true that there is no bridging for filo nurses anymore? I known some applicants who were partially refused.. She said, each decision from the board is according to an individuals assessment, so, you should only compare your qualifications with the AQF(aussi qualification framework) not with other applicants. So, it depends on what evidences and documents you submit.

Third, is there an approved Philippines trained nurse since they implemented the new iqnm? She said, actually, when you are given a letter of endorsement to do the bridging you are being refused for the initial registration.. thats why you need to do the bp first, and yes there are phil. Nurses given LOE to do bridging under the new IQNM. It all depends on what you give us thats why we ask for so many documents..

Thank you! She said, have a great day! Bye! And thats it.. I walk out in the ahpra office today with good faith..

..for you guys waiting for some updates lets connect.. [email protected]

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Specializes in Renal, dialysis.

@aj_ambas

So how and why are you in aus?

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I have dependant visa :)

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Good day guys! anyone here thinking about getting a 1 year BS Nursing course in Aus? they say its a better option, because after the course you'll be getting a Australian degree which is internationally recognized. But I have questions regarding this, I also applied to AHPRA already, and still awaiting for their response. If lets say the course starts FEB 2015 and I took my english exams this JAN 2014, when I graduate FEB 2016, would I still need to re-take the english exams?(IELTS/OET). Or no? since Im studyin already in Aus already? would anyone know about this??

They say 1 year BS N has many advantages, aside from working already in Aus maybe as a Nurse Assistant or any.

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Good day guys! anyone here thinking about getting a 1 year BS Nursing course in Aus? they say its a better option, because after the course you'll be getting a Australian degree which is internationally recognized. But I have questions regarding this, I also applied to AHPRA already, and still awaiting for their response. If lets say the course starts FEB 2015 and I took my english exams this JAN 2014, when I graduate FEB 2016, would I still need to re-take the english exams?(IELTS/OET). Or no? since Im studyin already in Aus already? would anyone know about this??

They say 1 year BS N has many advantages, aside from working already in Aus maybe as a Nurse Assistant or any.

hi! What school offers the 1yr BSN course?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hey all, I thought I'd join in the discussion.

There are NO UNIVERSITIES authorized to carry a one year BSN course. To be politically correct, it's the standard 3 year BSN course with credits for prior learning (CPL).

Deakin University is one such institutions which commonly assesses Filipino nursing curriculum against the standard BSN and tailor a 1 year program withs bits and pieces from 1st year to 3rd year nursing.

jdyboy: Going for a 1 year study is a good option but you must be on the ball in terms of planning your extension. If you will be on a student visa, it's good for only 1 year. Your student visa will allow you and your partner to work up to 40 hrs a fortnight when semesters are in session and unlimited during breaks, hence, I would suggest July intake so you get to have a longer semester break -- if an intake is available.

IELTS for the purpose of AHPRA and ANMAC assessments are valid for only 2 years. Source here

However, a one year study does not necessarily mean 52 Calendar weeks. That would suggest, 2 semesters which is 12 weeks each + clinical placement. Take Deakin University's calendar for example. Providing you get your registration and be able to lodge your application through ANMAC within those dates then it should be fine.

Be advised however, that studying Nursing does not qualify you to do assistant in nursing jobs. Certification for these are usually required in order to gain employment so be prepared for that as well meaning, you may have to do a separate program just to get the certificates.

EDIT:

NM what I said about ANMAC, if you manage to get registered with AHPRA then you already meet all their 5 standards including English proficiency. :D

Source here

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

The Australian Qualification Framework:

It really is a pain that AHPRA has brought about all these changes. Anyway speaking of Philippine qualifications and their relative comparability with the AQF, I believe that the appropriate framework would be the AEI-NOOSR. There is a case here of AHPRA denying an application and recommending a full course with CPL for Filipino nurses but this is well in the old framework.

The AEI-NOOSR as far as my research has taken me classifies education providers into three sections... Section 1 which demonstrate high quality education are thought to be "comparable" to an Australian degree of equal level example: Bachelors in PH Section 1 University = Bachelors in Aus (AQF 7). Section 2 schools are somewhat good but is 1 AQF lower such as PH Section 2 Bachelor's = Australian Advanced Diploma (AQF 6). Section 3 schools are below standard and is 2 AQFs below for reference. Section 3 school Bachelor's = Australian Diploma (AQF 5). Providers which have not been assessed are considered as Section 4 which is equivalent to an Australian Certificate IV.

Lucky for us Pinoy Nurses, our profession is regulated and unless there have been significant changes over the years, we should be assessed as AQF 7 regardless of the provider. However, our BSN degree is also different from an Australian one which is probably why most is referred to a board-approved bridging course. I found this information here (scroll down to a post by a fellow named TasBurrfoot, apparently he paid for a 1 year access for the Country Education Profile of the Philippines which explains why he knows how to interpret the Sections). Here's a list of the schools and their respective accreditation levels, apparently it is years old.

If AHPRA would adhere to the AEI-NOOSR (providing it hasn't changed) then an LoE should not be far away. Let's just hope that they will release them soon. Last Friday morning, I managed to talk to one of Deakin University's representative. According to her, they planned an intake for November this year however, she is not very confident that it will push through as there haven't been many LoEs released. They are tracking a case of 2 potential students who had their application in on October 2013. Quoting her words grimly "we are looking at a possibility of 11 months". Where she got that, I wouldn't know.

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Specializes in EENT, MS, Aged Care.

Hi jmolina1985. Thank you for posting that. I was afraid to talk about AEI-NOOSR here eversince I knew about AQF. I thought it will bring harm to all of us. According to the 2009 Country Education Profile, most schools in the Philippines are categorized to 3, some are 2, rarely 1 and worst are at 4. However, that was 2009 and some schools may have upgraded already. Subscription to this is worth 45$. I thought, AHPRA will base their assessment from this. Although, our licensure exam saved us and as such our degree is considered equivalent to australian degree. It's funny that I was keeping that information to myself until today

The letters that were sent to some posters here, saying that Filipino educated nurses may fail to meet number of criteria. But, AHPRA may do something about it. We don't know! I am doubtful because from this forum alone, there are around 40+ of us who are awaiting AHPRA decision and only one confessed that she received an LOE after the new criteria. No news about getting registration. I asked a consultancy owner and he said a number of his clients received LOE after February but waited around 6 months. Still, no news about refusal for bridging program.

Quoting my post days ago, we may have talked to the same person from Deakin.

My conspiracy theory says: AHPRA/NMBA may be doing something cruel for overseas nurses. 1) Delaying release of decisions 2) Rating previously equivalent overseas nurses such UK nurses to a lower AQF level to do BP.

Why? It gives the locals the chance to grab job opportunities which as of today is getting scarce even to citizens of Australia. You see, October is not so far away from today, and we're seeing 1 year of almost no overseas nurses in Australia.

Why again? They say that their new Prime Minister are not really PRO overseas migrants.

Is AHPRA/NMBA just doing an order from the Boss? We don't know.

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