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Hi, So I am a dual citizen, grew up in oz, but moved to the us after highschool and have complete my BSN here and am currently an ICU nurse. I am thinking of moving back to Queensland and most likely working for Queensland health. I know there are no RT's (respiratory therapists) in australia to manage vents in the ICU. I also have heard the ratios are 1:1 in australia where it is generally 1:2 in the US unless they are on a balloon pump, CRRT, fresh CABG etc. I have also heard that US nurses have a lot more autonomy when it comes to patient care? Is any of this true? My questions; how similar is ICU nursing between the two countries? do australian nurses complete additional training for vent management is it in uni, or is it learnt on the job? how is physician / nurse interaction in the ICU ? (in my hospital it is very much a partnership, very respectful and unlike a lot of other floors in the hospital) What is the pay like, is there any extra differentials for ICU nursing? Do you need any extra certifications or qualification to be an ICU nurse in oz or is your bachelors and experience enough? Thanks in advance :)