Question about nursing in Australia: opportunities

Published

Hello, as I read these posts I'm wondering about opportunities for nursing in Australia. I know line everywhere else in the world the so called shortage just doesn't seem to be there.

My question is this: would you think that an foreign nurse such as me from the US would have a better chance of getting a nursing position of I looked outside the usual places, such as Sydney and Melbourne? My back ground is Emergency/ Trauma / Critical Care. Living in Australia has been something I've have wanted to do since I was a teenager. I went to Australia for about a month when I was in the army and I found the people amazing and warm. In some ways a lot similar to Americans but different in good ways. I'm in no rush to go so I can do this as time warrants.

Thank you for reading my post.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Hi There, I believe as long as you are registered with AHPRA, you will get a job.

Especially if you are working in a specialty area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You think so, aussieboynurse? Because i've been hearing that it's really tough to get a job for nurses in OZ nowadays. Yet, despite of, I still want to try my luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I doubt it! Perhaps a few visits to Australian nursing forums or talk to a couple of hundred new graduates trying to find work, anywhere, and this is without asking for a visa as well.

If you are lucky enough to be able to have working holiday visa, (they must have experience though) usually these people can find work, as the employer does not have to pay for the visa and they know it is only temporary for six months, this gives these nurses a foot in the door so to speak. But if you are after a sponsorship visa, beware, do not take out loans to cover bridging programs, living exp etcl etc.

If you have theatre, anaesthetic experience this may be so, otherwise. good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My area is Critical Care. Will that help? Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think there are a lot of factors to finding a job in Australia, just like in the US. It depends on your specialty, experience, and where you want to live.

I have a work holiday visa and found a six month contract pretty quickly. This probably was helped by the fact that the hospital doesn't have to pay for my visa at all and because I have 4 years in my specialty. Try searching these sites for jobs and seeing whats out there: seek, adzuna, indeed, and hays. You can set up alerts on those sites that send daily job listings to your email.

I am in a rural area which probably helped. I imagine Melbourne and Sydney get a lot more migrants than Tasi...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! Can you give me any idea how I can practice my nursing career in New Zealand? I have been working in one of the international hospital in thailand but I'm a Filipino. I've heard a lot about nice stories especially people living in that country. I want to try at the same time experience with another country.

The thing is that I have 2 years experience already in our country and I'm working as a staff in back office. Can you advised me what I need to do and test I need to take to be q qualified nurse n New Zealand? Thankz...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Start with the New Zealand Council

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hi there

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
hi there
Welcome to AN! Are you a nurse in New Zealand?
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been a Nurse Practitioner in the US for 20 years. I am currently getting my endorsement from the AHPRA. I am wondering if anyone has had experience finding employment as a NP in Australia? Is it better to move there first? Can you get a working VISA without returning to the US for it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion