ccampbell66

Joeldew, just thought I'd give you and any others interested an update. I did move to Australia and have been studying at QUT in Brisbane. Overall it has been a positive experience. I will graduate in June 2015. I will probably stay and work here while I sort out US course requirements, etc. I'm also considering continuing my adventure by looking at other overseas options for work. Coming here in some regards may have complicated my nursing career, but it has been an experience that few (especially at my age) get to have.At least I want be wondering what it would have been like if I had not taken the opportunity.

Thanks Joeldew!

Ongmtam85, thank you. I sent you an email.

Ongmtam85, I am an American. I am considering coming to Australia to study for my entire BSN. Where in Australia did you study? I'm looking at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane. Where are you taking your extra Paed and Obs? I'm told nurses in the US have a much harder work load. The differences you mentioned I believe are correct. I didn't quite understand your last statement? So are you being allowed to work in the US with an LPN designation while you take your extra coursework?

Joeldew, Have you kept up with your former American classmate?

I am curious where you studied in Australia for your BSN? I spoke to the head of nursing today at Armstrong Atlantic University located in Savannah, GA. She told me that in the past they have accepted foreign nursing students who are lacking a few courses to obtain licensure in the US. They are accepted as special cases.

Sarah, I read your post and am wondering how it is going for you? I am an American but have received and offer to study in Australia at Queensland University of Technology for my BSN. I am reaching out to people who may have some insight that will help me make a decision. I am assuming you are Australian. Do you think the process would be different for an American coming back? I would be interested in hearing if you got things worked out. Best, Carter

ghillbert, are you Australian? If so I would like to talk to you about a topic unrelated to this. Thanks. Carter

Elkpark, you make a valid point.

justbeachynurse and esme12, thank you for your input. Esme12, yes I have looked into accelerated programs, etc. What I find very frustrating in the US is that there are not standardized entry requirements. Every school I look into seems to have a slight twist on what their prerequisites are. I have been focused on the prereqs for a local university. If I want to apply to other programs, then their always seem to be other classes required. Then there are some programs that will not except some of my classes that are over 7 yrs old. It has just been a frustrating process. I will finish my prereqs for the local university after the first summer session, but because of when they will completed I can not start the program (assuming I get accepted) until the January intake. The Australian program starts in July. The nice thing about how Australia's nursing programs are structured is that they build the prereqs into the programs. I would get out approximately 9-10 months earlier from Australia. Granted I would have to probably take some bridge programs, but I would have had a learning experience of studying abroad. I just don't know what ultimately is the better way to go taking everything into account.

I am an American currently living in the US. I have been accepted to the nursing program at QUT in Brisbane. from the research i have gathered, it appears that QUT is a highly regarded University. I'm trying to decide whether or not to go. If I go I would graduate 10 months earlier than if I stay in the US. The downside is I assume I would have to take some bridge classes in order to be able to pass the NCLEX if I came back to the States. Time wise then it may work out to be the same. I just don't know what to do. It would be so helpful to talk to someone who is from the US that studied in Australia, or if not that, then an Australian nurse who came to the US to work. If you have any advise or a contact for me please let me know. Thanks! Carter

Congratulations! I have been accepted to the nursing program at QUT. I'm trying to decide whether or not to go. If I go I would graduate 10 months earlier than if I stay in the US. The downside is I assume I would have to take some bridge classes in order to be able to pass the NCLEX. Time wise then it may work out to be the same. I just don't know what to do. It would be so helpful to talk to someone who is from the US that studied in Australia. By chance do you have a contact? What would be your general opinion. It's hard to weight the experience against extra studies, however, if I stay in the States I can't start a BN program until January. I've been accepted at QUT for July. Like I mentioned previously if I go to QUT I would graduate approximately 10 Months earlier than staying in the US. Any thoughts or contacts to help me make a decision would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Carter

Thanks for your input suga_junkie.

Joeldew, Thanks for your input. I have been accepted to the nursing program at QUT. I'm trying to decide whether or not to go. If I go I would graduate 10 months earlier than if I stay in the US. The downside is I assume I would have to take some bridge classes in order to be able to pass the NCLEX. Time wise then it may work out to be the same. I just don't know what to do. It would be so helpful to talk to someone who is from the US that studied in Australia, or if not that, then an Australian nurse who came to the US to work. If you have any advise or a contact for me please let me know. Thanks! Carter

Thank you Silverdragon102. Are you Australian or American? I notice you have been practicing a long time. If this doesn't apply to you, do you know an American who studied in Australia that might be willing to talk to me? Thanks! Carter

How did things go for you? I left you a post in another place, but in case you don't see it, here is my situation: I am an American and have been considering coming to Australia for nursing school. D you think that's a huge mistake unless I plan to stay in Australia? My main issue with US programs is that the prerequisite requirements are not standardized. What's required for one program is different from another. You could take the prerequisites you need for one university, but if you don't get in and you want to apply to another, you might have to go back to school to take whatever extra classes they require. It's so frustrating!

Stevenyzwife, I am curious how things went for you? I am an American looking at coming to Australia for nursing school. I'm trying to decide if that is a big mistake unless I plan on staying there to practice.

Hi! I am trying to decide whether or not to go to nursing school in Australia. I have been frustrated about the lack of standardization regarding prerequisite requirements for US BSN nursing programs. I have been taking the necessary class for a local university, but if I want to apply to other schools around the country, I could be in school another year trying to take all the prerequisites that make up all the other school's entry requirements. The beauty of Australian BSN programs are that all the course work needed is built into the program. My hesitancy to go to Australia has to do with how difficult will it be for me to pass the NCLEX if I study in Australia? International rates as a whole are extremely low. So I guess it would be great to hear from anyone who studied in Australia and will be/or has taken the NCLEX. What wisdom can anyone impart on me to help me make this decision. I should mention I'm 47 so to me time is of essence! Thanks!

JustBeachyNurse, thank you for your reply. The link gave me a tad more info than the NCLEX website I had looked at, but it still doesn't break results down by country. 20 something % pass rate internationally is pretty dismal. I'm hoping Australia is higher up there but just brought down by all the other non-English speaking countries.

DidiRN, thank you for your reply, although it was not quite what I wanted to hear. I have been so frustrated trying to find schools to apply to in the US. Not there aren't a lot, but because the prerequisite requirements are different from school to school. Why are they not more standardized?! I am 47 and decided to go back to school for nursing. I have been taking the prerequisite classes that I need for the local college, but when I look at other schools requirements they are always different. What is attractive about Australia is that the what are considered prerequisites here in the US are actually built in to the course of study. There is just one application to get into a nursing program. Here in the US you have to apply and be accepted to a university, and then apply to get into the nursing program. Getting into the university doesn't mean you automatically get into the nursing program. If I was to selected 5 programs that I was interested in applying to, I would probably have to go to school 6 months to a year longer to knock out the variations in prerequisites. It's just so frustrating! One school that interested me in CA has a 2.5 yr backlog of wait listed qualified candidates. At this point in my life I just want to start a program and get working!

HI! I am an US citizen seriously considering getting my BSN in Australia. Does anyone have any idea of the NCLEX pass rates for Australian students? Does anyone know if Australian BSN programs are similar to those in the US? Does anyone know about how difficult it is to come back from Australia and get licensed in a particular state? Thanks! Carter

HI! I am a US citizen. I am seriously considering going to Australia for my BSN degree. Does anyone know how well Australian students do on the NCLEX exam?