Moving to Mackay, AU

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Specializes in PCU, ICU.

Hello y'all, I am to graduate in May of 2012 with my ADN in Nursing, I am going to be joining my sister in Mackay, AU shortly after I pass boards. My questions are do I need to further my education to gather a BSN, or Midwifery to better obtain a job in Mackay? When should I start the application process for a Visa? What kind of Visa should I look for? If i do have to have a BSN or Midwifery am I able to go to AU and work there to obtain it? I do not have a passport at this time, would it be wise to go ahead and start that process as well since it's just over a year away? Some of the information i've noticed on this site seems to be in code to me lol not understanding the different kinds of visa's and ways of coming over. Any and all advice will be appreciative! Thanks!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Howdy. You should get the visa process underway ASAP. Contact the Australian embassy near you with any questions re this (should be in/on your white pages over there).

We have national registration now - you have one license to work in all our states and capital territories, and islands. This is done through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).All of our health practitioners are now registered under the one body. The yearly fee for nursing was $115 AUD, though I only paid $48AUD, depending upon when your old RN registration expired. Overseas applicants may have to pay more (there's a link on the AHPRA you can look up for fees info etc).

Here is the link:

http://www.ahpra.gov.au/ then click on Registration - there is also a heap of other info you can have a squizzy at.

I don't know if you just have a diploma you may not be able to work as a RN, as most RNs from the past 20 years have a Bachelor of Nursing now (older RNs here were hospital trained which ceased in the 1980s). Are you classed as a RN in your country?

You can chat to the AHPRA re this, they are very good at answering emails promptly. If you can't work as a RN, maybe you can work as a EN (Enrolled Nurse).

But I'd be prudent and get the whole process started early - you never know what glitch will hold you up!

What's your sister's email address, I want to go up there, I might give her a call and beat you to it, ha ha!

Good luck you will love it up there, but it's very, VERY humid!

Caz

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Specializes in PCU, ICU.

Thanks for the response, checked out the webpage and whatnot but it's a lot of information to sift through LOL I think I have a idea of what I need to do. When i graduate in 2012 i'll be classified as an associates degree RN, am interested in continuing my education there to gather my bachelors if need be. Oh and on my sis she's not moving back till Oct. lol and i'll take humid over 120 degrees any day :)

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Specializes in ICU.

Mackay is great I'm jealous! I'll get back there after school's done. Have a go on a kiteboard and check out slade point at sunrise. Good luck with Visa, license, etc... I'll be doing the same process in the future!

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