fourwalls

Thanks energizernurse, That is what i was hoping you would say. What differences would you expect at non-unionised facilities? Thanks again

Hello to New Jersey ICU nurses, I am hoping someone could offer me some advice....thankyou. I am considering moving to New Jersey once I have about two years experience in ICU under the belt. I am wondering how the payscale works in New Jersey. For example, does the wage go up incrementally each year? If so, then what would a third year ICU nurse get paid? I understand there are many variable to the actual final wage, so really I am more interested in if there is a SET STANDARD payscale that New Jersey nurses are paid accordingly. I am currently working in a payment system that continues to pay the nurse incremental rises in pay, each 12 months, over an eight year period, where it plateaus without further qualifications. Is this similar to the system in NJ? Thankyou for any assistance you can offer on this matter! Fourwalls

Hi Nita, Thanks for your valuable info. But don't go yet!!!!!!! You are the best source of info I have found yet, 'cos you have been there and done it! The only other item of information I would really like to know is as follows: did your original nursing program supply you with obstetrics, paediatrics and mental health theory and clinical rotations? I ask this very specific question because that is the most common reason many Australian nurses have trouble applying for US work, my program and many others programs do not have that 'generalist' coverage of subject areas. the Aussie programs appear to be more 'specialist', (well not really but thats a discussion for another day) So for me, and others, we have to do 'make-up' courses before we are eligible to take CGFNS exams. We have to seek 'hard to find' courses that match the criteria - then we have to find a hospital that is willing to support the clinical experience - then we have to make sure the CGFNS approves the unique little educational experience we have customised for ourselves. It appears to me that you have bypassed this 'extra' study and hassle, so I am extremely interested what your nursing program included. Which Uni was it?...full name? Without confusing the issue, all I want to learn is if your undergrad nursing degree included maternity theory and clinical expereinces; paediatric theory and clinical experiences; and mental health theory and clinical experiences. In addition, you mentioned that you "moved to US within the week of getting done with Uni since your husband was there already but the process might have been smoother if I had contacted nursing lecturers in person while I was there." Are you referring to nursing lecturers back in Oz to hasten the application process OR are you referring to nursing lecturers in the US who could have made the process easier? Regardless, you have been very helpful Nita...thanks. I am really curious how you were able to go over the US without additional subjects. Hope to hear your reply soon! cheers:coollook: :) :)

Hi nita, Can't help you with Sydney hospitals but I am interested in your experiences in the States. Good/bad/ indifferent? Hoping to head there myself, I would appreciate your take on the US experience. As you may know from other posts, I am also interested to know if your original under grad degree fulfilled all subject expectations for the CGFNS and NCLEX exams. Did your program include maternity, paediatrics and mental health theory and clinical (as required currently). Sorry to chase you around, but you are the only RN I know on the planet that is an Aussie nurse that did not do any additional subjects for the US exams. Thanks heaps for your advice And welcome back to OZ!:balloons:

Thankyou to Gwenith, Suzanne and Nita, You guys don't know how hard it is to find info on this process. I have spoken to Visa reps, Nursing agencies, nursing lecturers. But you guys, in these short threads, have provided me with my first solid leads. No matter how much info you get from others it does not replace the knowledge that comes from nurses that actually have gone through the process. Great....Nita, please tell me the pathway that you travelled to achieve you goal of working in the States. I entered the world of nursing because I knew it was a international interchangable job, much the same as some one enters the job as a diplomat ( they know their placement is going to be abroad). I too, expect alot from my profession. I expect it to be readily interchangable overseas in many countries. I want to work and play in many places aound the globe, one of them being the States. In addition, I have my heart set on one of the advanced nursing positions that exist in the States. If only Australia had CRNA positions I would a happy camper! But thats a dream for down the track. For now i must understand the process to get approval for work in the States. So thanks again to all of you for being kind enough to answer my questions. You truly are an incredible source of info. Cheers:)

Howdy, We all seem to know one or two nurses who work overseas, but does anyone out there know of even one single Aussie nurse that has been successful in applying for work in the United States? I do not know a single one! at first I though this was strange, but i was sure I would eventually bump into some one who knew just one, none so far. My reason for locating one is to ask about the process to apply to work in the states. It appears the CGFNS, the regulatory exam, requires a pre-requisite of pediatrics, obstetrics and mental health theory and clinical hours before you are considered eligible for exam. I know of not one Australian nursing program that includes such a comprehensive range of subjectsa and clinical time built into an undergraduate degree. This on top of normal med/surg experiences. There must be nurses out there who got around this problem and are now in the US working! Please....anyone who knows just one successful applicant who is now working (or was working) in the US, please refer them to my thread. Cheers all Merry Christmas fourwalls

Hello Kerry I am an Australian Undergrad nursing student with his heart set on working in the States. I am interested in the process and educational background you have to qualify for work in the States. There appears to be very few Australian nurses who work in the States. Is this an accurate observation or not? All the information I can gather about the CGFNS process requires a course of study that includes obstetrics, paediatrics and mental health, both theory and clinical experiences. I am not sure if there is a program in all of Australia that comprehensively covers all these requirements. It appears that Australian programs are more specific in their programs. I am certain I will never get an obstetric rotation unless I become a midwife. any how, I am very interested in the process and educational background you have to qualify for work in the states. Thanks for any relply you can offer me. fourwalls