US nurse looking to relocate to OZ needs assistance

Published

Hi I am a US nurse with 2 years of med/surg experience looking to relocate to oz within the next couple of months. I have done lots of research concerning visa, registration. No agencys seem to be replying to me. Would just like some advice from anybody who has done this transition before? How you did it? What the work schedule will be like? How it is transitioning? THe process in general. Thanks so much!!! Any response will be greatly appreciated!!!!

i think the right thing to do is talk to my manager.. its just an uncomfortable situation bc its like so far in advance! months you know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical.

On the other hand, it also means you're committing to stay there until you leave. But I know that, compared to here, labour laws are all screwy and many places will let you be fired without cause (there's no such thing as 'at will employment' where I work). What's your relationship with your manager like? Does s/he know you're interested in nursing overseas?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical.

I spoke with my NUM today - you suggests putting "references available on request" on your covering letter. Apparently putting your former, but not current, employer as a reference can raise concerns and possibly be enough to tip you off a short list

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My relationship with my manager is ok.. she doesn't know i want to do nursing overseas yet, but i was just in touch with some agencies and it looks like i wont have to worry about this for a couple months because they can start working on getting me a job once i am registered with AHPRA, and seeing as I am getting my paperwork notarized this week and sending in the documents, 3 months is how long they told me it would take to get registered so after that i will talk to my manager because it wont be so far in advance. I can't believe it takes that long to get registered. I was hoping to be over in oz by july, i hope that can still happen!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Im just curious if you've gotten your registration yet? or heard anything about it? I applied in October, from Canada, and I havent gotten mine yet. I had heard 90 days. When I email the AHPRA they send me a reply saying they've received my paperwork and will contact me if there are any problems throughout the registration process, but won't give me any further information.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

oh my god!! Why has it taken so long?? i really hope that doesnt happen to me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in General 9yrs; Ortho-2y Intensive Care-6y.

Hi,

You can try contacting AHPRA(Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). Go to www.ahpra.gov.au

Your qualifications will be assessed and things will go on from there.... And you will have to www.immi.gov.au to know the process of migrating here in oz.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Rach!!

I'm just reading over the entire post now because it seems that we are both going through the same thing!

I am a nurse from the US with 2 years experience working on a cardiac/telemetry floor and looking to do travel nursing over in Sydney by July as well. :)

It seems like you've been having the same difficulties/frustrations with all this registration and paperwork as I am!!

I am actually going to sydney for vacation in about 2 weeks so I started contacting travel nursing agencies in Sdyney to set up some time to talk to someone face to face about benefits, housing, assignments, basically how everything works!! but i've been hearing the same thing from everyone. They are all basically telling me to recontact them again after I officially get my nursing license through AHPRA because most jobs that the agencies have available are sort of an ASAP basis. So, basically, they don't know what the openings will be like from one week to the next because it is constantly changing, that's why they don't really care to talk to you until you have your license.

That being said, I also read that it takes about 90 days to process and if that nurse from Canada applied and October and hasn't heard back from now, I think that is crazy!!! I really hope it doesn't take that long because like I said, I am planning on going there in July as well.

Which visa did you apply for? I applied for the Work and Holiday visa that is good for a year. It's the one that you can only get one in your lifetime and you have to be between a certain age to get it.

Anyway, we should keep each other updated since it looks like we're both planning the same things :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Omg definitely!!!! Wow it is so good to finally hear from somebody who is going through the same situation!! So since i started this thread i have made some kind of progress.. I have the visa (working holiday is what i got.. bc its harder to get the sponsorship one. That was really the easy part. I have also finally submitted all the paperwork to AHPRA. Which is Alot. It was a freaking headache the whole thing.. now i just wait.. I know that nurse from canada still hasnt gotten her registration but i have been researching on the blogs.. and have found out that october was an insanely busy time.. and they have gotten better. If you want any more advice or just want to vent about moving to aus definitely PM me. I've just been navigating this the best way i can on my own. Yes and your right.. i have contacted a ton of agencies and they all tell me the same thing.. contact us when you are registered... registered.. etc etc. i would definitely go talk to them it can't hurt. I wish i had done that when i had been there .. Have a great vacation!! So jealous! I love sydney ... hence the reason i am trying so hard to get my ass back there! lol.. feel free to message me whenever :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion