NEED HELP. Medical Issues of a nurse

buttercup99 · Apr 25, 2009

I'm not really qualified to answer this question but no-one has answered yet so I'll give you my opinion. I don't see how your health problems would be a problem especially if you are stable. If they asked, you might give them a doctor's letter but it probably wouldn't get to that point. From what I know, if you have an employer lined up, especially in an understaffed area such as aged care personal carer, it shouldn't be too hard to get the visa.

We have so many Phillipinos coming to Australia to work in our health care and aged care system so I think the government has a pretty good attitude towards letting you guys in!

You said you are already a RN, so you might be interested in how to transfer your RN over to Australia. You usually don't need to do more study UNLESS your english skills are quite poor or you have not been in practice for a certain amount of years. I have many Chinese RNs in my class at uni and they chose to be there as they didn't feel confident in passing the language test.

Here are some links regarding the requirements to transfer your RN to South Australia. By reading your post, you obviously have great English so should have no trouble passing the reading/writing/speaking test (IELTS.)

http://www.nursesboard.sa.gov.au/reg_lang.html

The next link explains the process for getting assessed as an overseas nurse. Keep in mind, you only have to get the additional ANMC test if you are migrating to Australia through the "skills stream" (whatever that is.) If you are applying or have a visa, the ANMC assessment does not apply:

http://www.nursesboard.sa.gov.au/reg_aoqa.htm

This is the application form for applying to the Nurses Board. In the declaration, they are asking if you have any medical condition that may interfere with your safe practise. If your medical conditions have no chance of making you unsafe to practise then you don't need to declare that. If you declare, they ask you for information, and they often register you with or without limitations on your practise.

http://www.nursesboard.sa.gov.au/pdf/App_assess_nursing_qual.pdf

I only know about SA, so if you want to move to a different state, this link has contact details and websites for the relevant nurse boards.

http://www.nursesboard.sa.gov.au/link_nmra.html

It could be easier than you realise to get registered in Australia. In any case, I hope your plan to do your Certificate 3 goes well. At least you will get to brush up on some skills!

Good Luck with everything! :up:

chescarn_phils · Apr 25, 2009

Buttercup99 thank you for the reply I really do appreciate that you take time in reading my question. :specs: I already pass the IELTS exam and got 7 as my total bandscore so I'm in a very good position right now the only thing that worries me is the health part because those things does not really bother me but I am afraid that it might cause a problem.

And yes I am considering to pursue a study to become a registered nurse in Australia but that is after i finished the certificate 3 program that my employer wanted me to take.

buttercup99 · Apr 29, 2009

The way I understand it, if you get 7 or over in your IELTS and you are qualified in your country as an RN, you don't need to do any further study to be an Australian RN. All you do is fill out this form http://www.nursesboard.sa.gov.au/pdf/App_assess_nursing_qual.pdf

In my class, the only overseas RNs who are doing part of the Australian RN degree are doing it because they either didn't get high enough IELTS or they are not confident to try passing IELTS as they feel their English is too poor.

This is how it is in South Australia according to the website, I don't know about the other states.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 29, 2009

Some states are requiring nurses from the Philippines to either complete a assessment or do a bridging program. A lot depends on your transcripts/training and experience. Much has been written about this in the International forum