US RN --->> OZ RN ;) Many questions!

gwenith, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

For accomodation - rent but, if possible do NOT sign a lease until you have had a good look around. I would not recommend agency until you have a little experience here. THis is simply because there is no structure for agency (here one day somewhere else the next) and it makes it much much harder to adjust to the differences.

Some of these differences are the way we administer drugs - there are fewer premixed drugs here - we reconstitute virtually every IV on the ward and give it via a burrette. Also some of our drug names are different. Actually most of the trade names and even some of the generic names are different - famously acetaminophen = paracetamol and epinephrine = adrenaline. Even if you just sign up for a short term (3 month) contract somewhere the stability of the work enviroment will make learning the differences easier.

Our language IS different. Australians pepper thier speech with odd similies and metaphors like "she's chockers" or "full as a Goog" and the silly thing is we often do not realise that we are speaking our own version of incomprehensible until we see puzzled faces.

Join the union - even if at home you are a rabid anti-unionist. Our unions are different here and are about the ONLY way you will get professional indemnity. If you are offered a contract - run it past the union first. I connot emphasise this too much since our labour laws have just been changed and there is a big danger that overseas people like yourself, unaware of the normal terms and conditions. It is unlikely you will be taken advantage of but the simple step of running it past the union should protect you.

Public versus private. Well, theoretically you get to meet a "better" class of patient in the private hospitals:p;) Actually not a huge lot of difference - you meet the patient from hell in both places - it is just that it is a different hell. The public system almost runs on residents (JHO's) and Registra's (SHO's) and the emphasis should be more on teamwork within the system rather than a single entity (visiting consultant) having the ultimate say on the patient.

lavarn · Jul 11, 2006

i am a nurse from the us, and i have been living in melbourne for three years. i would be happy to help you if i can.

lava rn

arkansas to melbourne

UWSRN · Aug 18, 2006

lavarn... being that you are from the US... do you know anything about these travel nurse companies that I have been seeing websites and ads for? They say they help with relocation information, finding you a job, and that many pay for housing. Since I'm on the other side of the world... I'm a little hesitant to use one of these services.... but if true, would be of great assistance in making the transition over to Oz. Also, I make $70-80,000 here in the US but my cost of living is extremely high. Basically 1 of my 2 paychecks a month goes towards rent. Is it similar in Oz or do u think I would be able to save some money each month?

globalnurse · Sep 7, 2006

Hi everyone,
I'm a RN from the US (3 yrs work experience)... I'm moving to Australia in about 2 months. I have my visa already and my license is pending for NSW. I have an associates degree, will this cause an issue? I have not been able to find information about that... I've read some things online but I'm not sure there are true. Also I need to know what the difference is between public and private hospitals. Pros and cons of working for these 2 types of hospitals. Also I'm looking to work for an agency since I am not ready to settle down to just one hospital... I need to find the right one for me. Please any help would be appreciated. This is all very new to me since I'm moving to Australia and I have never been there. This is a huge change for me and I need all the help I can get!! I'm also looking for accommodations... I will be arriving in Sydney with my husband and need a place to stay... any ideas?!
Thank you in advance,
Paula

Hi Paula

since its now september and you posted this back in June, the info I write now may indeed be redudant. but what the heck, might still be useful anyhow :rolleyes:

in regards to your associates degree, this should no be an issue really, as many nurses will be RN with diplomas, but the process you need to go through and satisfy for your RN license with the NSW will compare the education you received that lead to your initial RN license in your home country anyway.

Public vs private healthcare/hospitals is another question that is quite complex to answer, at the end of the day private facilities deal with a lot of elective surgical & medical services. patients usually have private health insurance cover to use these types of facilities, and perhaps one can say that they might be a slightly better class of client, this can work the opposite way round also. demanding and unrealistic expectations. :rolleyes:

public facilities have lengthy waiting lists for surgical interventions and this has its pitfalls, patients are more likely to be quite acute by the time they come into public facilities, due to a range of reasons. the "public system" will pick up when things turn sour in the "private system"

anyway I could write for hours on this subject... at the end of the day, it's better for you to make up your own mind, and IMO it's got more to do with the people that make or break a great vs bad work site... hospitals or anywhere for that matter.

Not wanting to work or be stuck in one hospital, shouldn't deter you from contracting directly with one. agency work is for those that have a little more experience in the "system".... knowing how to chart; the how, when, where and why nursing is done, meds, routine, etc, these are things that will take you a while to adjust too, and you will, but you won't have the same level of support in an agncy as you would working as a direct hire. as an agency nurse you'll be expected to hit the floor "running"

there are hospitals that are in sydney that do have single accommodation, and where you can work for 3-6mths. one of these is the POWH prince of wales in randwick, very close to the city. the accommodation isn't anything remarkable and may even border on undesirable with amount of cockroaches that scurry round late at night, but its a nice way to get orientated to a new city, scene and way of nursing...

to find out more about nursing jobs at POWH or other sydney hospitals...

http://www.sesahs.nsw.gov.au http://www.gwahs.nsw.gov.au or for nursing in general with lots of really useful links http://www.ncah.com

you will find many nurses from all over the world, and many of them will be both employees (direct hires) and agency

as a RN or healthcare provider you also need to have indemnity insurance which is best taken as part of a membership with a union... such as

http://www.nswnurses.asn.au

hope this is all useful and helps... and good luck...

if you need or want any more advice give a shout out...