maria8484

I was wondering whether it is possible to work in an Australian hospital on a maternity unit as an RN without additionally being a midwive. I am a US nurse currently working in postpartum/newborn well-baby nursery. I've worked in the past in AUS on a med/surg floor but will be moving back with my family and wondered whether I would need to do an additional year course to continue to do the same job I am currently doing (and love!). I have not worked in a special care nursery but have looked at some job posting and see that most require being "neonatal trained." Is this referring to a special course or simply work experience? Thanks so much for any input!

I was actually a new grad from the US and went directly into nursing in Australia. My best advice, if you are sure you want to do it, is to apply to Graduate Nurse Programs in the state you are interested in. There was basically a common application, a series of questions you needed to answer, and then you ranked your choices and interviews were given from there. As a new graduate, I found it to be very challenging at first. I was the only graduate in the program trained in a different country. Medications have different names, the role of the nurse is a bit different, an entire different health system, their training is different (I found the nurses there did A LOT more clinical hours that I did a top university in the US) etc. I moved there for my husband, but if I could do it again would have definintely gotten a years worth of experience in the US first. While the fundamentals were the same, the scope of practice varied, the hospital system was different (having to mix your own IV antibiotics, something I had never done). In addition, orientation was extremley different. Offers I had from hospitals in the US had usually a minimum of 8 weeks working with a preceptor during orientation, while I got a 5 day hospital orientation in AUS, 5 days with a preceptor, then had a full patient load. It was definitely a huge learning curve, and if I could do it again definitely would have honed my skills and increased my confidence in the US (in hospitals and a system I was familiar with), before working in a different country. Good luck!

Thank you so much for your help! I truly appreciate it. I have an interview this week, so all your advice was really useful. Anyone an expert on interviewing or have a few tips? Thanks again! Maria

I am in the process of applying for new grad programs and would love any advice. I am a bit unfamiliar with the application process and how best to present myself on paper, particularly in terms of the selection criteria. Does any one know of any good resources to use as a guide for nursing resumes? I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed and any advice anyone could give would be hugely appreciated. Thanks!! Maria;)