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I personally think you are better off studying nursing in the states because with all other expenses (board and lodging), extra payments for sending documents from Philippines etc (when after you graduate) would also be expensive. You can ask other nurses who studied in the Philippines that it is not very simple or cheap anymore to study nursing. Even the living expenses are getting more expensive. It will save you the hassle from doing the IELTS and having to convert your education from foreign-educated to educated-in-an-English-speaking school/university. I heard of some issues of getting a RN licenses in the states, despite having the visa/green-card. Because it is NOT whether you have the visa to stay in the country or your nationality that they are looking at, it is WHERE you get your education. Don't get me wrong, I never regretted studying in the Philippines, because I personally think I was given a more thorough and comprehensive training, despite it being a"non-English-speaking-country". We did 4 years of studying not just nursing health education (but also other useful subjects like Logic & Philosophy, Psychology, Economics etc), plus 3 summers in between of RL experiences (& other subjects). The experience you get with dealing with 3rd-world country patients cannot also be thought at any 1st-world country. It makes you stronger, wiser, and manageable. Like I said, if it's expenses you are looking at, it depends on which province (for the living expenses) or University in the Philippines you will studying. Just do your Math and make sure it is somewhat accurate or close to reality. Because you might get disappointed especially after realising you almost spent the same amount. Give an allowance of extra $1,000 for getting your training/college education accredited. 10 years ago when I was applying to take the NCLEX, I only needed IELTS. Nowadays, you also need to do a credentials evaluation. Just check this out: https://www.ncsbn.org/16_IEN_manual_WEB.pdf And check the requirements of states of california's licensure application; see what's the difference of the application for foreign -educated and locally-educated onces. If it is the same requirement for those who studied in the states, then go for it: study in the Philippines. I hope this was somehow helpful. Goodluck! FYI: My cousin considered studying in the Philippines for PT (because it only takes 5 years in PH while it takes 7 years in US). She decided to stay in the states because the adjustment she has to make in the Philippines, the board and lodging and to figure out all the expenses from studying to getting her US PT licenses was just too much hassle and headache. I'm sure there are more valid reasons. But yes, just so you know, she choose to stay in the states.

I used my supervisors's signature and they seem to accept it...

AHPRA finally replied... but their reply was still about the final approval... But I think, I should have included the inquiry number, so that they will follow-up my previous e-mail... I inquired again (thru their website) but now with the inquiry number... I hope their reply will be somehow different... Patience.. patience..patience...deep breathing then sigh...

In my opinion, its better that you choose Australia since their economy is much better and the salary is also better, but do keep in mind that the cost of living and tax maybe more expensive... But based on my friends assessment you can save more in Australia...

thanks for the info... i think i will inquire again on monday.. can't wait for april to get an update again... but we do need to be patient...

I know!!! I am also so tempted to transfer! But to transfer when we're already on final approval? Would they start our application all over again? And if they will, will they give us the LOE after 1-2 months or will the length of time increase again??? So confused and so tempted!

go on duty, either hospital, clinic or private...at least your nursing experience gets more comprehensive... If it's really hard to find a nursing job, get any job that gives you a descent salary, so that you can add money to your funds for Aussie...

Wow.. Again, thank you so much... So i guess, they didn't ask you for a visa to enter Hongkong even if you're a Filipino ctizen, right? they probably won't ask me also for a visa when I arrive in kuala lumpur, in case I would choose it for my stop over, right? Anyway, I think I'll get a ticket from one same airline only to avoid getting things complicated. Once I get a little used to it, maybe I'll do the 2 airline thing to get cheaper tickets.. Thanks again..

Base from what I read from previous posts, for visa 456, it doesn't matter how long you had the money in your account or how much you have... But what was important was their letter from the school (where they will take the BP)... I think the difference of this with student visa (where you will need a larger amount of money that needs to stay for longer period) is because student visa allows you stay in Australia for a year or for ow long you have your BP, while 456 visa lets you stay in Australia for not more than 3 months (per entry)... So you won't really need as much money than someone whose on student visa... Well, that's just my speculation...

Thank you so much for the details, it was very helpful... Now I know,I don't need a visa for connecting flights (if its from 1 airline only).. But I was wondering if its the same, if you will use 2 airlines... I was planning to get a connecting flight using two tickets from two different airlines, Ex. Manila to Kuala Lumpur (Cebu Pacific), then Kuala Lumpur to Sydney (Air Asia), because it cheaper that way... But I guess, it's too complicated so maybe I'll just go with one airline... Thanks anyway...

Even with baggage its cheaper actually...But depends on the date... We'll just see when the time comes..thanks anyway..

Thanks for the info... Actually, my concern for connecting flights (especially if the tickets are bought from 2 different airlines), will they ask for a visiting visa, even if I'm only staying at the airport? I checked the kuala lumpur embassy and I saw that Filipino citizen need visiting visa to get to malaysia... So I'm hesitant to get a connecting flight from philippines to sydney via kuala lumpur (getting it from 2 different airlines)...

Ok thanks...it seems that PAL is more expensive, Jetstar is cheaper...but I'll think about it...

No, I haven't.. but I'm thinking ahead so that I don't have to panic when the time comes...:)

Philippines to NSW (for CON's BP)... So i have to go to sydney airport right?

Ey-em... may I ask if you already had a flight for Australia? May I ask what airline you use? I was looking for the cheapest but I read in the older post you can have connecting flights (via kuala lumpur) to make your flight cheaper... but it sounds complicated...

please reread the start of this thread to learn more...

I think it was supposed to be for me...

Really? I so wish to be unemployed right now and be an Australian resident :hrnsmlys:

WOw, wow, wow... I guess, the thought that you could do better is what's stopping you from staying there, right? I mean your current salary is waaaaayyyy better than mine but if the salary of an Australian registered RN is almost times 2 than your current then I don't blame you from wanting to quit your job and do BP.... Still can't get over your current salary.... wowowowow.... I wish the salary of nurses here in the PH is the same as your current... At least,I'd think twice on leaving the country...

I'm planning to borrow money from relatives and the rest from a lending company... That's why I said I'll probably have a net of 100K only, with all the debts that I'll be paying.. That will probably be my net for the 1st or 2nd years in australia... Wow, you earn a pretty good amount already. I'm really anxious to start working there, so that I can earn as much even with all the debts...

I'm planning to borrow money from relatives (and I mean a lot of relatives) and the rest from a lending company... That's why I said I'll probably have a net of 100K only, with all the debts that I'll be paying.. That will probably be my net for the 1st or 2nd years in australia... Wow, you earn a pretty good amount already. I wish I could reach that amount when I finally work there even with the debts....

I have already asked them.. If you will read my previous post, I asked them why the rate of assessing each application is not consistent. They told me that the rate depends on the case manager. So you, my friend, are very lucky to have such a diligent and fast case manager, to have been on final approval already after less than a month, while the rest of us waited for 3months or more... I don't mean to be offensive nor rude, but it's probably not helping if you keep insisting that you know what we feel... Sorry, I know its not you're fault, I just hope that my case manager would inherit some your case manager's diligence and finally get on with my application and give me that LOE....

We have the same dilemma.. My family needs money now, especially with my mom getting sick and my siblings' educational plan got bankrupt... So I really need to earn my keep, not just for me but also for my family... But we have to think ahead of us... 2 years of P30K monthly from Middle East is so much lower or almost nothing to the P100K monthly you'll earn in Australia (even with debts) after a few more weeks ( i hope, if not months)...

I agree with aila... If you haven't receive a final approval letter yet, it MIGHT be wise to transfer... How many months ago was your application received? 2-3 months? So like I said before, there's a possibility that if you transfer, that 2-3 months might go to waste and if SA becomes clogged like WA, you might end up waiting longer... If your willing to take that risk, then go... It might do you good to transfer... But its still your decision... Goodluck...