Opportunities for employment in foreign countries

Published

Are there any travel nurse opportunites for US nurses to work in New Zealand or Australia?

****

Ruthie, that's cool that you were able to sign up for only 4 months. Guess the agencies try to draw you in for a year but sounds like they are desperate. Of course, the difference could be that you have been a RN for 8+ years. By the time I go I'll be an RN for less than 2 years. Some of the agencies I wrote to wouldn't even consider me unless I had min. of 2 years.

yeah i'm sure years of experience could make a difference but i would still be surprised if they refused you. actually when i signed up for the agency i said i would probably stay 6 months but then i decided to leave after 4. still there weren't any penalties, they didn't give me a hard time, and when i returned this year they were quite happy to offer me another job. You will still find that some agencies want to sign you for a full year, but that doesn't mean you have to work for the same hospital for that year - you could work 3 months in darwin, 3 months in sydney, 3 months in melbourne, and 3 months in some little outback town if you want to and if you go with the right agency. where as if you sign with the hospital for the year you are kind of stuck there. you could always sign with the agency for the year and then ask them to get you a 3 month contract with a hospital - there is usually the opportunity to extend the contract if you want - and then you still have the flexibility to try another place if you want to

****The private sector is beginning to sound very interesting. Could you tell me which agency you went with to sign up at St. vincent's. Were you pleased with their service and pay? So you agency actually gave you vacation pay?

i went with alliance nursing - they had the highest pay rate i have seen yet - they didn't pay vacation or sick pay, but they added the allowance for those on top of your hourly rate - because you are on the sponsored visa you are required to work full time, except for your 4-6 weeks holiday which is unpaid - ill admit i wasn't that thrilled with their service - but im sure my expectations were not very realistic - in america companies will do a lot to make their nurses happy and are nearly always cheerful and happy about it - i can't remember ever hearing anything discouraging or cross from an american agency - if you are unhappy with something in the states the company usually apologizes and tries to do something to make you happy - if you are unhappy with something here they pretty much just tell you that's the way it is and you should get used to it - when i joined with alliance i had hopes of traveling in australia - but whenever i mentioned it they would say they really preferred for me to stay in sydney for at least however many months before they would send me anywhere else - they are a smaller agency - just getting started really so they haven't got the wide base of connections with the hospitals that some others do - also when i signed i negotiated with them that they would reimburse me for the 300$aud physical required for the visa - they agreed but when i left made me write letters and make copies and fill out all sort of papers and practically beg and plead to get it - however on the bright side they did get me a great job at st vincents and i didn't have any problems with my paychecks and they didn't charge me any fees for leaving early - and they are growing all the time http://www.alliancehealth.com.au

if you want a company that pays vacation and sick pay you can try the nursing agency of australia - their pay rates are correspondingly lower though - also in australia all nurses are paid according to hours of experience - so you will make less than a more experienced nurse unfortunately!

http://www.nursingagency.com.au/

****I am still debating whether to sign up for a full year direct with a hospital. As I'm still relatively new at being an RN, being a traveller might be quite a challenge. A full year would also give me health insurance too. But you are right about such a big committment to a place I've never worked in. I simply can't afford to go there and interview before hand, nor am I sure I can afford not to work for 4-6 weeks as my cash is going towards paying off my credit. I am sure I'm over thinking this. Guess, I should just get the registration and then worry about it. In the meantime, if you have any other insight to the hospitals in Sydney, where to stay, agencies etc. etc, please let me know. YOu can also PM me. Thanks so much for your help!

well i guess it's up to you as far as whether you would like to stay somewhere for a year - i met another american nurse who worked for the nursing agency at st.vincent's - she was on contract for a year and she asked for and was given without an complaint a nice long orientation - like a week or two or something - i would definitely advise asking for some orientation when you arrive if you are a new nurse - the reason is simply that you will have to learn to be very flexible with the rules you were taught in school - in america we tend to be fond of hard and fast rules like - you must catheterize a postop patient if they haven't voided for 8 hours - over here you are allowed to use more common sense like deciding well they are young and they aren't uncomfortable and they are drinking so you can give them a little longer without having to call the doctor - there are some big differences in organization like there is no such thing as a doctor's order sheet here - the doctors tell you what to do and you pass it on - and many of the drugs are different - not just different generic names but actually different drugs - and you usually give them out of bottles not individual doses which have been previously checked by the pharmacy - the major aspects of healthcare of course are the same - they just go about it a little differently - but i think if you have some orientation you will just be able to ease in more comfortably - - but i should say in australia i feel the nurses are in general very supportive of agency staff - they understand that you aren't familiar with the routine and will come and tell you what you need to do and help you instead of leaving you to your own devices which is the norm in america - and there was usually a charge nurse around not taking patients who you could ask questions

i would also recommend that you try to get a day or evening shift since at least on my unit there were far less staff on at night and sometimes they would be all agency - so they would have to call for a different floor with questions - not a good situation when you are trying to get used to somewhere

i don't really think it's necessary to stay in one place for a whole year unless you want to - i started traveling in america after 2 years of experience and after working for a month on most units i think you will achieve a pretty good level of comfort - around 6 months it gets boring (in my opinion!)

in sydney the mater hospital is 'connected' to st.vincent's (although in a different part of town!) - it's also excellent

in my search this year these are the agencies which seem to be offering the best pay and availability of jobs around australia

1. http://www.codeblue.com.au/

2. http://www.nursingaustralia.com/

3. alliance (link above) - not much avail of jobs but they say they are willing to try wherever you want to go (but they said that last year too!)

as far as where to live - depends on what you like - i you like to be in the center of the action i would recommend the central business district - you'll have the best transport links there - i saw a luxury 2 bedroom apartment in a highrise today for 150$aud/pw - if you like the beach i would recommend bondi - it has a nice atmosphere and lots of yoga studios, cafes, bookshops, and bars in walking distance unfortunately it's pretty expensive - last year i paid 185$/pw for a run down but artisticly decorated bedroom in a big old house with 11 other people 1/2 block from the beach - there are tons of travelers living in bondi depends if you like that or not - if you are into punk, grunge, bellydancing, or the gay scene i would recommend newtown - but you might get better advice on this housing from a local

yeah i think don't delay sending in your registration - i found that agencies seemed a lot more interested when they realized i was already registered - i don't know if it's because they considered it a measure of how serious i was or what but i think it's helpful in the bargaining process - also there is a fair pile of paperwork so you might as well dig in! - anyways the nsw registration only costs something like 25$usd = so even if the worse happened and you didn't come to oz you wouldn't be out much

remember that you can bargain with agencies = like when they say they will only take you for a year you can say = oh that's a shame because this other agency said it was no problem - you can trust them maybe a little bit more than the guy who's selling 'real leather' in the flea market - just always remember they are trying to sell you something and they are trying to make the best deal for themselves while still keeping you interested - and ask lots of questions - you can listen to the replies to see how well they match with each other - for example - is this recruiter just saying yes to everything i ask to get me to sign? or are they giving me real honest considered answers? and read your contract thoroughly before you sign. those contracts aren't necessarily set in stone you can ask them to change things that you don't like - sometimes they will sometimes they won't - watch out for fine print saying that they will charge you thousands of dollars if you leave before the end of your contract - i know i wouldn't want that hanging over my head - just in case you decide you don't like it or whatever - if they do charge something make sure it's an amount you would be comfortable with paying if you leave

you will probably love it here - everyone who i have talked to has had a great time and are really glad they came! but i think it pays to do your research before signing the papers to avoid nasty surprises later

Up Vote Up Vote ×
****

well i guess it's up to you as far as whether you would like to stay somewhere for a year - i met another american nurse who worked for the nursing agency at st.vincent's - she was on contract for a year and she asked for and was given without an complaint a nice long orientation - like a week or two or something - i would definitely advise asking for some orientation when you arrive if you are a new nurse - the reason is simply that you will have to learn to be very flexible with the rules you were taught in school - in america we tend to be fond of hard and fast rules like - you must catheterize a postop patient if they haven't voided for 8 hours - over here you are allowed to use more common sense like deciding well they are young and they aren't uncomfortable and they are drinking so you can give them a little longer without having to call the doctor - there are some big differences in organization like there is no such thing as a doctor's order sheet here - the doctors tell you what to do and you pass it on - and many of the drugs are different - not just different generic names but actually different drugs - and you usually give them out of bottles not individual doses which have been previously checked by the pharmacy - the major aspects of healthcare of course are the same - they just go about it a little differently - but i think if you have some orientation you will just be able to ease in more comfortably - - but i should say in australia i feel the nurses are in general very supportive of agency staff - they understand that you aren't familiar with the routine and will come and tell you what you need to do and help you instead of leaving you to your own devices which is the norm in america - and there was usually a charge nurse around not taking patients who you could ask questions

i would also recommend that you try to get a day or evening shift since at least on my unit there were far less staff on at night and sometimes they would be all agency - so they would have to call for a different floor with questions - not a good situation when you are trying to get used to somewhere

i don't really think it's necessary to stay in one place for a whole year unless you want to - i started traveling in america after 2 years of experience and after working for a month on most units i think you will achieve a pretty good level of comfort - around 6 months it gets boring (in my opinion!)

in sydney the mater hospital is 'connected' to st.vincent's (although in a different part of town!) - it's also excellent

in my search this year these are the agencies which seem to be offering the best pay and availability of jobs around australia

1. http://www.codeblue.com.au/

2. http://www.nursingaustralia.com/

3. alliance (link above) - not much avail of jobs but they say they are willing to try wherever you want to go (but they said that last year too!)

as far as where to live - depends on what you like - i you like to be in the center of the action i would recommend the central business district - you'll have the best transport links there - i saw a luxury 2 bedroom apartment in a highrise today for 150$aud/pw - if you like the beach i would recommend bondi - it has a nice atmosphere and lots of yoga studios, cafes, bookshops, and bars in walking distance unfortunately it's pretty expensive - last year i paid 185$/pw for a run down but artisticly decorated bedroom in a big old house with 11 other people 1/2 block from the beach - there are tons of travelers living in bondi depends if you like that or not - if you are into punk, grunge, bellydancing, or the gay scene i would recommend newtown - but you might get better advice on this housing from a local

yeah i think don't delay sending in your registration - i found that agencies seemed a lot more interested when they realized i was already registered - i don't know if it's because they considered it a measure of how serious i was or what but i think it's helpful in the bargaining process - also there is a fair pile of paperwork so you might as well dig in! - anyways the nsw registration only costs something like 25$usd = so even if the worse happened and you didn't come to oz you wouldn't be out much

remember that you can bargain with agencies = like when they say they will only take you for a year you can say = oh that's a shame because this other agency said it was no problem - you can trust them maybe a little bit more than the guy who's selling 'real leather' in the flea market - just always remember they are trying to sell you something and they are trying to make the best deal for themselves while still keeping you interested - and ask lots of questions - you can listen to the replies to see how well they match with each other - for example - is this recruiter just saying yes to everything i ask to get me to sign? or are they giving me real honest considered answers? and read your contract thoroughly before you sign. those contracts aren't necessarily set in stone you can ask them to change things that you don't like - sometimes they will sometimes they won't - watch out for fine print saying that they will charge you thousands of dollars if you leave before the end of your contract - i know i wouldn't want that hanging over my head - just in case you decide you don't like it or whatever - if they do charge something make sure it's an amount you would be comfortable with paying if you leave

you will probably love it here - everyone who i have talked to has had a great time and are really glad they came! but i think it pays to do your research before signing the papers to avoid nasty surprises later

sorry - just wanted to let you know that a lot of my last reply was mixed in with your quote - hope it's helpful!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ruthie,

Do you know how long it generally takes for a nursing board to get back to you once you send in your application? I am just waiting for a couple more documents to be able to send mine in to the Nurses Board of Victoria. Geez they want a lot of information. It says that it's $120.00.... I'm presuming that's australian??? but not a 100% sure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Nurses Board of Victoria. Geez they want a lot of information. It says that it's $120.00.... I'm presuming that's australian??? but not a 100% sure.

It is Au$120, which worked out to US$91 and change at the exchange rate in effect when the charge came through on my credit card in April. NSW only charges Au$50 for a licence. Your big surprise will come in December, though. Vic makes you pay for a new registration every year! And if you get your papers in any month prior to December, you'll pay the full rate for a partial year.

That being said, I have nothing but praise for the Aussie licencing authorities. They DO want a lot of info, but look at their position. People who come to Australia sometimes do so because they're having trouble in their native lands. Have you followed the stories about the deadly doctor in Bundaberg? I wonder whether the demands for documentation and the delays are a way of weeding out the people anxious for a quick 'n' easy exit from what's bedeviling them at home.

The nursing board officers I dealt with in NSW and Vic bent over backwards to help me when I contacted them on the Internet, telephone and in person. I can't imagine a nursing bureaucrat in the U.S. receiving a phone call, getting up from her desk, going to a file cabinet to pull an applicant's case jacket and analysing it quickly enough to give an immediate answer to a question. In the U.S., they just don't give customer service like that. But NSW officers did. So you get what you pay for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Ruthie,

Do you know how long it generally takes for a nursing board to get back to you once you send in your application? I am just waiting for a couple more documents to be able to send mine in to the Nurses Board of Victoria. Geez they want a lot of information. It says that it's $120.00.... I'm presuming that's australian??? but not a 100% sure.

i have only applied for licensure from the state of NSW and to be honest i don't really remember because i did it way ahead of time - i think it was like a month ? im sure it's faster if you pay extra to have your mail expedited and you might be able to do something like send them a return postage paid envelope in the same expedited mail service if you are in a rush - i think it would also be helpful to call and ask them - at least in nsw they aren't too bad about answering the phone - depends on who picks up as to how helpful they are - some are really nice - - yeah whatever is quoted on the app in dollars is most likely australian dollars since im assuming they would use the same app for nurses from other countries? but like i said i have no experience with the victorian board - sorry

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.
It is Au$120, which worked out to US$91 and change at the exchange rate in effect when the charge came through on my credit card in April. NSW only charges Au$50 for a licence. Your big surprise will come in December, though. Vic makes you pay for a new registration every year! And if you get your papers in any month prior to December, you'll pay the full rate for a partial year.

That being said, I have nothing but praise for the Aussie licencing authorities. They DO want a lot of info, but look at their position. People who come to Australia sometimes do so because they're having trouble in their native lands. Have you followed the stories about the deadly doctor in Bundaberg? I wonder whether the demands for documentation and the delays are a way of weeding out the people anxious for a quick 'n' easy exit from what's bedeviling them at home.

The nursing board officers I dealt with in NSW and Vic bent over backwards to help me when I contacted them on the Internet, telephone and in person. I can't imagine a nursing bureaucrat in the U.S. receiving a phone call, getting up from her desk, going to a file cabinet to pull an applicant's case jacket and analysing it quickly enough to give an immediate answer to a question. In the U.S., they just don't give customer service like that. But NSW officers did. So you get what you pay for.

We do things Well AND professionally in Oz! And you're right Bukko, we are weary of ingrates and desire to weed 'em out! Not only, but also, we have one of THE BEST health care systems, and facilities, in the entire world. We like, and aim, to keep it that way. Hence the thorough checking of those who wish to work in our health facilities.

If you folks think those reg fees are high, we pay $160AU in South Aust! And that's an annual fee! :angryfire

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:balloons: I am a registered nurse with 20 years experience in the USA and am very interested in doing temporary contract nursing in the area of child/adolescent psychiatric nursing in New Zealand, Samoa or other south pacific region. Would greatly appreciate any information about work in New Zealand and/or what child/adol. psych hospital nursing is like. Thanks so much everyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion