redrn007

I recently moved to Australia and I've dealt with Healthcare Australia and so far they've been pretty good. I did all the competencies before I left home and I think that made it a little easier. The only thing so far I really dislike about Healthcare Australia is the 10 page application. They could easily make it a little shorter. :-)

You can complete the application from another country. I did everything from the USA. Put your current address on the application. And I chose the option for receiving e-mails because its faster. As long as you were educated for 5 years full-time in one of the countries listed on the application. USA, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or Ireland.

I'm assuming you didn't take the documents to a notary public. You need to take your documents and get certified copies. Read the application and follow the directions EXACTLY. It went pretty quick for me. Here's a link to the current application form. http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-and-Endorsement/International.aspx Best of luck.

I applied in January (this year) for my AHPRA registration and heard back in mid-February that I was approved. Just follow the instructions exactly on the application. Sidebar: you do need to have your BSN to be a registered nurse in Australia. The work/holiday visa is also pretty straight forward again just follow the directions exactly. I applied for that April 14th and it was approved April 22! There are plenty of nursing agencies to work with (I've spoken with almost all!) and in my opinion Nightingale Nursing is the best. The respond quickly to e-mails and their staff is very professional/helpful. Its been my experience that many agencies say they work with work/holiday nurses but actually don't want to. Nightingale Nursing (The application for AHPRA) Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives There are other procedures which need to be done (National Police check, working with children check, CPR, TB test, proof of vaccinations are the main ones). Those are further down the road once you've made contract with an agency the can/should help point you in the right direction. So start with the AHPRA and then move to the visa. Best of luck.

Hi Jenah9-- How is work going in WA? Any major differences you notice in being a nurse from USA? How long will you be staying in Australia? Did you buy a car or are you using public transportation?

Thank you for the information, it has been very helpful. I'm planning on moving to the coastal NSW area. What is the nurse patient ratio at your hospital?

How does a "normal" day run? (I know its an ER... what is normal!) Do many hospitals have extended bed delay for the ambulances? Or hold admitted patients in the ER due to lack of beds? Also are extra qualifications such as TNCC (trauma nurse core course) ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) needed before employment? If so where is a good place to take the classes in NSW? I'm taking the first steps in moving from the USA to Australia. I'll be coming from February through March this next year. Hoping to get as much done as possible to make the official (next December) move more straight forward. Any info you share would be wonderful.