Refused by AHPRA (workexperience in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK)

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Dear all,

I just received a notification of the Australian health practitioner agency that my application for registering as general registered nurse will be refused.

Through research I understand that a lot of colleague nurses had problems/ experiences with the AHPRA and I hope that you can help me out with some information.

It is sooo frustrating as I have prepared everything for two years now, took the IELTS twice and I am in Australia now. I hope to find work in ANY care related field or somehow manage to get back to work as a nurse. I appreciate any advice! Many thanks!

Here my situation:

I got my nursing degree in Germany 2004 (we don't use the bachelor/master system for nursing there, it is called degree but contains the same curriculum as a bachelor I would say)

I have been working in Germany for 2,5 years (no registration system there)

I have been working as a general registered nurse in the Netherlands for 7 years (I hold a BIG registration assessing me on HBO-level- equal to bachelor)

I have been working as a general registered nurse in the UK (and of course I hold a registration for general nursing there as well)

I passed the IELTS test with a overal band score of 8

And as far as I know I sent off all required papers

My application consits of 65 pages

They reason that my education is too low... on AQF level 5 instead of 7. That would mean I wouldn't even be able to attend a BP right?

I saw that AQF level 5 would be an enrolled nurse, but apparently I am not even allowed to work on that level.

AHPRA wrote:

"AQF level 5 will not lead to any type of registration since you applied for Registered nurse registration and for registered nurse registration the minimum level of qualification required is AQF 7 or a Bachelor's degree and should meet all the 8 criteria.

You have worked as a registered nurse therefore applying for enrolled nurse in Australia will not assist you in gaining registration as an enrolled nurse either"

I don't know what to do or whom to ask.

I'd love to stay in Australia and seek work here. Does anyone know opportunities?

I'll be in Adelaide next week... is there an office I can go to for support?

Any tip is welcome!

Many thanks!

Antje

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to Nurse Registration forum

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Hi Antje

I have looked online and there is an office in Adelaide South Australia(details copied in below). I think it is definitely worth going in to speak with someone in person. At least then they may be able to explain or offer suggestions on what you should do. If it was me I would call ahead and book and appointment. Good luck

[h=3]South Australia[/h][h=4]STREET ADDRESS:[/h]Level 11

80 Grenfell Street

Adelaide

SA 5000

[h=4]MAILING ADDRESS:[/h]AHPRA

GPO Box 9958

Adelaide

SA 5001

[h=4]OPENING HOURS:[/h]Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi Antje

I am also from Germany, been an ICU nurse for 6 years but can't get registration with AHPRA. What did you end up doing?

Sarah

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Hi Sarah,

I hope you are doing fine down there in Canberra. I live in Brisbane now and work as a AIN in residential care and as a trainer in Art Therapy (my second occupation).

Well, as I didn't want to study nursing all over again, I decided to secure my income in a different way for now. It's a personal decision and up to any individual to make. Of course you can study nursing again and I am pretty sure with RPL (recognition of prior learning) you wont have to do the whole course. Depends on the University of course how much of your prior studies they recognize. If you really love your job and want to go back, that would be an option. However, studying in Australia is very expensive, especially when you are not a citizen yet.

I decided to do a Master next year in a related field instead of doing the BA nursing (again). Makes more sense to me to add to my knowledge than wasting my time.

Still, I'm in the process of applying for a scholarship so I have a chance of financing the study. It would be such an advantage if education was free.

Anyway, I think if you have a dream of doing something you should go for it, even if it challenges you sometimes!

I remember reading an article once of a nurse in palliative care, stating that most of her patients where regretting not to have lived their dreams or expressing their love to people around them. You wont hear those things from me, that's for sure ;)

I wish you the best of luck on your path! Keep us up to date! I'm sure everyone here would appreciate your input.

Cheers,

Antje

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