needlefoxRN

It's not a requirement but you are encouraged to have it. We (as in Filipinos) are not covered by Medicare so getting private insurance is pretty much up to you. Medicare is for OZ and NZ citizens, permanent residents, and citizens of countries with a reciprocity agreement with the Commonwealth. Note that this is very different from the mandatory PII as outlined in the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

I wish you guys success!

I'll take my BP at the VCHN campus in Victoria. I only have 14 days to go before leaving so I'm up against the wall making last minute arrangements; it explains my tardy answer too ;p

@gmalaki About agencies... I suggest you follow ceridwyn's advice and read up the thread she(he?) pointed out.

@miks103 Yes you would need to exit the country after 3 months from the date of entry for the 456. When I was applying for my 456, I asked about it as well and the embassy personnel told me that you can convert the visa. :)

@zonroxRN I do believe an ICD-10 Coder falls under the field of Nursing Informatics. I'm with miks103 about it. It wouldn't really hurt if you try :) I was a DOH- HOMIS administrator and I met an ICD-10 coder once in a seminar. She was a nurse too so just give it a go.

Sorry if my reply is late. Anyway, I booked a one way trip but the way I understand it, it depends on the restriction given by the Australian embassy on the visa (mine is 456, multiple entry). I think ceridwyn commented about certain visa restrictions a couple of pages back in this thread. Try contacting VIA or the Australian Embassy Call Center. They answer questions regarding the visa at no cost.

Oh I thought they were one and the same. Yep that's two bookings. Sorry I can't help much with Sydney... I only have experience on booking a flight up to Melbourne.

Oh I booked mine online. The carriers have their own respective pages for booking. It's actually pretty straight forward. Just make sure you don't book online using a public computer like the ones from cafes (keyloggers) or from pcs which you suspect have malicious software (trojan). This is because online bookings require a credit card (or a mileage card). Here is Air Asia's link for instructions on how to book http://www.airasia.com/my/en/booking/howtobook.html

No problem. Yes Air Asia and Tiger Air (not sure about Jetstar) do not have direct flights. You take a connecting flight to Australia instead. It's the same with Cathay. They land you first in Hong Kong then from there take you to Oz.

Yeahhh I would be cautious about it. This is what I was referring to back then about certain agencies which try to feed on nurses who plan to go to Australia. Just be careful because the words "recruiting agency" and "free" usually means something else. Good luck!

@Ceridwyn Not to sound pedantic but it's "Filipino" - not "Phillipino". I wouldn't mind it much but you seem to always spell it wrong. Regarding nursing research, it is a mandate to have at least 3 units dedicated to nursing research (biostatistics or health statistics excluded) before earning the bachelor. It is also mandated by the Philippine Professional Regulatory Commission to apply it under a community setting before taking the national licensure exam. I remember when I took my national nursing boards (June 2008) that module 5 had about 25 items regarding the topic. You are welcome to contact the Philippine Nursing Research Society if you wish to broaden your knowledge about it. :) I would also suggests reading up on COPAR. It's an activity most, if not all, nursing students in the Philippines have to go through at one form or another. It's really quite an experience.

Ship? Not for me... I don't know how to swim. Try Air Asia, JetStar or Tiger Air. Direct flights are really expensive but these carriers usually have promos.

I was about to answer it but actually nailed it - ABC :) We also did "rapid assessments" in the ER where I was assigned.

Ok. Tell you what... go to http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/forms.aspx and try to download the AGOS-4 form again. I think you have an old copy or something. The one on the site is the latest. Question 16 should go like this: 16. Have you completed: • secondary education taught and assessed in English to the requisite level for entry into a nursing or midwifery program: and • a nursing or midwifery program taught and assessed in English

Oh sorry 14162S001. The third sentence was for our buddy Arjay. +D

I just checked the site and we are on the same boat. I was looking for that question too. You best not be trollin Arjay

Which form are you answering there? AGOS-4?

I am looking for the filipinos who will be attending the VCHN intake in march. Please message me! I'm looking for a flat mate =D

I do know someone who worked as a phlebotomist in PNRC. He is a nurse and has IVT training too. Perhaps you could try asking your PNRC chapter. Good luck!

I'm a former smoker myself. I switched to electronic cigarettes a month ago and have been disgusted with the smell of regular cigarettes ever since.

@isobelle and bellaire re: VCHN The MRSA screening can also be done there. My sister went with that route. Don't worry about it that much. However, make sure you bring all original results with you. She forgot one and we had to send hers by courier.

Just to update you, the school says it is currently done in Balarat.

Don't sweat it if you miss. I've been there myself. Even veterans miss from time to time. It's always tricky with geriatric patients (bursting veins) and pedia (esp. dehydrated ones). Also, I use a good light source if it's very hard to find a vein. Handling IVT trainees, I'm more comfortable with greens who are eager to learn and not being shy to ask for help when they need it.

I'm also looking into aged care and cioman's comments are very insightful. Thanks for sharing that!