U.S. R.N. with associates degree contemplating austrailia

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2011

Is that the same as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing? We don't have associate degrees here.

I was in South Australia before, not much work going there. Here in Perth, in Western Australia it really is the untouched gem of our country. There would be more work in Sydney and Melbourne, but accommodation would be expensive.

Mind you, accommodation is expensive everywhere now.

With 2 years experience you will get work, I wouldn't worry about that.

Do a Google search for nursing agencies (insert which state or capital city you want to work in) and you will get heaps of hits. They will be able to tell you if they can sponsor you, what you need, etc. Most of them have international nursing and sponsorship info on their websites.

We have national nursing and health practitioner registration now, so when you get that, you pay one fee ($115AUD for RNs here), then you can work anywhere. So you could travel as well.

Go to the website for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) http://www.ahpra.gov.au/ and that will give you info as well. They are also very good at answering emails with detailed information.

Come to Perth, lots of work here for experience nurses, beautiful city, green and clean with heaps of parks and loads to do, no traffic jams, freeways everywhere, friendly people!

One thing - if you start off doing agency work, it can be up and down as I have had lately, shifts getting cancelled for no reason it seems at the last minute, and you have to run out to work when called in, but most agencies give you fair warning. The work should pick up now that Xmas etc is over.

Good luck.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2011

here is more info for you, i had this saved on word on my laptop. hope it helps:

nursing agencies, australia

hendercare - http://www.hendercare.com.au/

mediserve – http://mediserve.com.au/

drake, australia - http://www.drakeintl.com/au/home.aspx

ramsay health care – http://www.ramsayhealth.com.au/default.aspx. they operate many hospitals all around australia, employment info is on their website.

st john of god (for perth, wa) - http://www.sjog.org.au/. sjog also has hospitals in other states and territories as well.

** ** ** ** ** **

hmns (health management - www.hmns.net.au/[color=#0e774a] (for south australia and country regions).

nursewest (control all the public hospitals and recruitment through nursing agencies for all of western australia) - www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au/nursewest/index.cfm

[color=#0e774a]nasa, nursing agency of south australia - http://nasansb.com.au/[color=#0e774a]. on this site, there is a site for international nurses to visit. also down the bottom, it lists all the other main nursing agencies for other states and territories. you can click on them for more info.

nursegirl62 · Jan 31, 2011

I'm a US RN , and have an ADN . I received registration here 2 years ago. It was a tedious process that took several months. Basically had to demonstrate that my US education is equivalent to Australia.

I work in an ICU in Melbourne, only a couple of other Americans. The hospital I work for sponsored me on a work visa...another lengthy process.

Australia is fabulous! I have loved my time here, and it's a safe,fun beautiful place to live and work . If you want to do it, I say go for it ...persevere and patience.

dancerpro · Apr 26, 2011

I really must say that I enjoy this post very much. I graduate in 4 weeks and it is a dream of mine to move to Australia to work (I was lucky to travel there before and have always felt I should try to live there for a little). Nursegirl62, how much experience did you have when you moved? As a new grad I am sure I will need mucho experience before moving. Any info would be very appriciated.

Thank you all for leaving positive posts. I often feel discouraged and nervous about being able to find a job anywhere and you guys were very encouraging so thank you! :thankya::hgu:

nursegirl62 · Apr 26, 2011

I had over 20+ years of experience....HOWEVER don't let that stop you. I worked with a few nurses from the USA that only had a couple of years experience. If your young , and get your nursing license in Australia...you can work on what they call a working holiday visa, thus allowing you to work,travel and gain experience at the same time. I on the other being well over 45 had a more harder time, and required a 457 work visa which is sponsored by my employer and this is where many years of experience was helpful in getting a position(s) . Best of luck and congrats on your pending nursing graduation!