samjohns

Congratulations to Aelith and others for selflessly giving all the right information to all aspiring and would be Australian RN/migrants. Whatever it may take to realise your aspirations, be focused and go for it. Ten years ago, I applied on my own for family permanent visa under the Independent Skill Migration programme. For 2 years I can’t get a proper job here but made another life changing decision to change career pathway towards nursing. It was a long arduous process of completing the 3-year BN, then later the 2 year Masters in Psychiatric Nursing in a Queensland university while working with QLD Health and Aged Care facility. I’m now planning to do Nurse Practitioner course. Last year, I personally sponsored my sister and her family under the Regional Skilled programme after a year of processing all the necessary requirements (IELTS, points system, skills assessments, permanent resident visa, etc). Prior to forwarding her application, I did the entire exhaustive resources gathering; mainly through relevant authoritative websites such that the degree of success of her meeting the minimum required points is high and so, avoid financial losses. Knowledge and right information are powerful assets, and the ever resourceful and resilient Pinoys are very good on this. There is acute and chronic shortage of nurses here and lifelong opportunities abound to those who can surpass the big hurdle that is, getting the RN registration – in my case with Queensland Nursing Council. Early next year, we are sponsoring my wife’s cousin who is an RN in Philippines. I hope I can contribute to this message board when I start collating information and contacts. My unsolicited advice: 1.Almost all first hand information is available on reliable websites such that I don’t ever use agencies or third parties at all. I used http://www.google.com.au a lot. Be knowledgeable as only you have the vested interest on this. 2.Plot strategies, doable action plans, to-do lists, timetables to achieve your desired goals such as Australian registration, Permanent resident, employer. 3.Make contact with Australian offices such as QNC, Immigration, University (by phone or email) only when necessary after you done the hard work. Be direct and specific. 4.Be patient, passionate, committed and focused to your end goal as the lifetime rewards are sweet and great. 5.Depending on how Australia fares with the current global financial crisis, there are still a lot of nursing opportunities mainly in public health. 6.RN wage is at par, at best competitive with other professions with yearly increases for level 1 RN, shift and weekend premiums + other incentives (annual leaves, professional development, retirement benefits, salary sacrifice to offset taxes, etc) Cheers and all the best to all, whatever path you take! Sam

I would agree with Lavalin. Most Philippine graduate RN’s would rather work in US than anywhere else for several reasons e.g. nursing curriculum and licensure exams are patterned after U.S., exchange rate is more favourable, more opportunities, etc. You’ll spend more money and time in Australia before you get your RN registration due to additional extraneous competency requirements vs work-ready Philippine RN applying for U.S. By the way, for Australia-graduate RN, regardless of work experience one has to do extra education for maternal nursing, paediatric nursing, mental health nursing, etc. to meet the U.S. nursing academic and clinical hours requirements, and before one can apply for CGFNS or NCLEX/state board exam. Also, with current changes to the European Union’s guidelines, all non-EU’s applicants like Australian RN’s are now required to take IELTS before applying for registration to EU countries like UK. Hope this helps with your life changing decision!!

Jenny Like other posters I would advice you to be a registered nurse in Philippines first before considering migration. If applying for Australia, RN's are in the demand profession list, you either apply as independent skilled migrant, hospital sponsored, or regional sponsored (check DIMA website). You have to apply/register with the state's nursing council. As overseas RN, you have to undergo 6 months post registration in the university as prerequisite for registration (check each state's website for the recent requirements). You can however, work as assistant in nursing (AIN) or enrolled nurse while doing this to help with your expenses. I work in Queensland and you can download Queensland Nursing Council’s (QNC) application package and competency assessment in their website. Whichever path you choose, prepare to invest time, research and resources. While preparing for the board exam, you can prepare for the IELTS (requires academic tests with overall score of 7), get a hospital job, google for Australian hospitals willing to sponsor overseas RNs. I suggest Australian public hospitals in remote/rural areas willing to sponsor foreign-trained but work-ready RN’s (check Queensland Health or any state website). If I’m right, DIMA’s age requirement is

Hello to all. Nursing is the way to go. I can't find a job with my engineering degree after I migrated to Australia but completed my nursing in Queensland 2 years ago in my past 40 age and never look back since. I will finish my Master in nursing this sem, I'm earning so much with 2 jobs, my wife finishes her nursing as well this sem while working as enrolled nurse. The chronic worldwide shortage of nursing will always assure one of a job even until retirement age. Areas of nursing specialisation are as broad as the opportunities nursing presents. My family is going home this December to cap a well earned rest. Good luck to all!!

dear mike hello kabayan. if you're sponsored by nsw health department enquire if you are eligible for NSW Health Department funded position (see http://www.nursing.aust.edu.au/ and http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/ for more details). Also enquire if you can work as assistant in nursing or patient care attendant (wage rate $15/hr, higher on casual rate) in hospitals while doing your bridging/adaptation course. Also check nsw nursing council (http://www.nursesreg.nsw.gov.au/) for current info. hope this helps. good luck sam