US RN moving to Melbourne

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I'm a RN and engaged to marry an Australian citizen. I will relocate to the town Sunbury near Melbourne . I'm a US citizen, with an Associates of Nursing degree (ADN). I have experience in ICU, ER and most recently Long term care and work as The Director of Nursing Services in an facility in the US.

Where do I begin in being able to work in Australia as a nurse? I really don't know where to start or what my options are.

Thanks

You can't get licensed as an LVN, only as an RN. If you want to be an RN Division 2 (enrolled/practical nurse) then you'll need to apply to a course and get credit for your previous studies. Please read the website of the Nurses Board of Victoria: http://www.nbv.org.au

LavaRN went back to school and got her bachelor degree before becoming licensed.

Hi, I've just read the website and it doesn't say there that you have to be an RN. Also, I've met an enrolled nurse from Canada recently and she was able to register here in Melb. She said all she had to do was take a skills assessment exam. She also didn't have to do a bridging course. I only know one nurse who had to do a bridging course and that's because she's from the Philippines. Can you tell me where you got your info from? Thanks.

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Hi, I've just read the website and it doesn't say there that you have to be an RN. Also, I've met an enrolled nurse from Canada recently and she was able to register here in Melb. She said all she had to do was take a skills assessment exam. She also didn't have to do a bridging course. I only know one nurse who had to do a bridging course and that's because she's from the Philippines. Can you tell me where you got your info from? Thanks.

You stated you have an ADN, there is no ADN (RN) in Canada, in order for you to be a RN in Canada you need a Bachelors degree.

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You stated you have an ADN, there is no ADN (RN) in Canada, in order for you to be a RN in Canada you need a Bachelors degree.

I've clearly stated I'm an LVN from TX and not an ADN(RN) from Canada. Please read carefully before replying. Thanks.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi, I've just read the website and it doesn't say there that you have to be an RN. Also, I've met an enrolled nurse from Canada recently and she was able to register here in Melb. She said all she had to do was take a skills assessment exam. She also didn't have to do a bridging course. I only know one nurse who had to do a bridging course and that's because she's from the Philippines. Can you tell me where you got your info from? Thanks.

If Australia is like the UK then Registered nurse means both Enrolled nurse (LPN) as well as BSN a lot goes on where about you fall on the list. ghillbert says RN Division 2 (enrolled/practical nurse) meaning they are RN level Division 2. In the UK Enrolled nurses are Registered nurses on part 2 of the register

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Specializes in CTICU.
hi, i've just read the website and it doesn't say there that you have to be an rn. also, i've met an enrolled nurse from canada recently and she was able to register here in melb. she said all she had to do was take a skills assessment exam. she also didn't have to do a bridging course. i only know one nurse who had to do a bridging course and that's because she's from the philippines. can you tell me where you got your info from? thanks.

there is no such thing as an lvn in australia. as i stated, per the nbv website, you must be licensed as an rn, either division 1 or 2.

from http://www.nbv.org.au:

each overseas applicant must satisfy the board that they:

  1. have obtained a qualification that is substantially equivalent or is based on similar competencies to an accredited course that leads to registration in victoria;
  2. are competent in speaking or communicating in english for the purposes of practising as a registered nurse;
  3. are in good standing with the nursing regulatory authority in the country of last practice;
  4. are fit and competent to practise as a registered nurse; and
  5. have provided evidence of identity and have paid the prescribed fee.

you are correct that you may or may not have to do the "board accredited competency program for overseas qualified nurses".

there's really no need to be snippy with people who post trying to help you - it's a quick way to get no help at all.

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i've clearly stated i'm an lvn from tx and not an adn(rn) from canada. please read carefully before replying. thanks.

i believe i was responding to

"originally posted by nursegirl62 viewpost.gif

thanks for your reply! can i ask what kind of degree do you have? adn or bsn?

it is funny but because of the requirements for my adn, i actually had 2 years of college level classes to take before i could even get in.so all together i have 4 years in for a two year degree.

i need about a years worth of addtional classes then i could have a bsn too....but havent been all that excited about doing the extra time needed in school.

thanks, melanie"

i suggest you take your own advise and please read carefully before replying, thanks.

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If Australia is like the UK then Registered nurse means both Enrolled nurse (LPN) as well as BSN a lot goes on where about you fall on the list. ghillbert says RN Division 2 (enrolled/practical nurse) meaning they are RN level Division 2. In the UK Enrolled nurses are Registered nurses on part 2 of the register

Thanks for that 'cause that's what I thought all along. :coollook:

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there is no such thing as an lvn in australia. as i stated, per the nbv website, you must be licensed as an rn, either division 1 or 2.

from http://www.nbv.org.au:

each overseas applicant must satisfy the board that they:

  1. have obtained a qualification that is substantially equivalent or is based on similar competencies to an accredited course that leads to registration in victoria;
  2. are competent in speaking or communicating in english for the purposes of practising as a registered nurse;
  3. are in good standing with the nursing regulatory authority in the country of last practice;
  4. are fit and competent to practise as a registered nurse; and
  5. have provided evidence of identity and have paid the prescribed fee.

you are correct that you may or may not have to do the "board accredited competency program for overseas qualified nurses".

there's really no need to be snippy with people who post trying to help you - it's a quick way to get no help at all.

hi, i'm not being snippy. the help is greatly appreciated by i'd like the help with the right info so there is no confusion. that's all. anyway here is something i found on wikipedia:

licensed practical nurses (lpns) are also known as licensed vocational nurses (lvns) in california and texas and as registered practical nurses (rpns) in ontario, canada. they are called enrolled nurses (ens) in australia and new zealand and as state enrolled nurses (sens) in the united kingdom.

so you see, an lvn/lpn in the u.s. is equivalent to an enrolled nurse(div 2) in australia. all i wanted to know was the steps on getting registered and not if i need a bachelor's degree to be registered. thanks for the help anyway.

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i believe i was responding to

"originally posted by nursegirl62 viewpost.gif

thanks for your reply! can i ask what kind of degree do you have? adn or bsn?

it is funny but because of the requirements for my adn, i actually had 2 years of college level classes to take before i could even get in.so all together i have 4 years in for a two year degree.

i need about a years worth of addtional classes then i could have a bsn too....but havent been all that excited about doing the extra time needed in school.

thanks, melanie"

i suggest you take your own advise and please read carefully before replying, thanks.

hi, i think you need to check who you quote first before you reply because you obviously quoted me and not the person you wanted to reply too. just so there won't be any confusion on the replies.

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My apologies needstobeanurse. I was reading the wrong quote, and why I quotes you was beyond me, I wanted to click on someone elses quote. Again, my apologies

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My apologies needstobeanurse. I was reading the wrong quote, and why I quotes you was beyond me, I wanted to click on someone elses quote. Again, my apologies

No worries. This site can be a bit confusing with all the nurses replying to different posts. Hehe :coollook:

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Specializes in CTICU.
Hi, I'm not being snippy. The help is greatly appreciated by I'd like the help with the right info so there is no confusion. That's all. Anyway here is something I found on wikipedia:

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in California and Texas and as registered practical nurses (RPNs) in Ontario, Canada. They are called enrolled nurses (ENs) in Australia and New Zealand and as state enrolled nurses (SENs) in the United Kingdom.

So you see, an LVN/LPN in the U.S. is equivalent to an enrolled nurse(div 2) in Australia. All I wanted to know was the steps on getting registered and not if I need a Bachelor's degree to be registered. Thanks for the help anyway.

I am quite well aware of what an LPN/LVN is. I was just trying to tell you that they are called RN Division 2 in Australia. I did not suggest you need a bachelor degree to get registered.

You asked LavaRN is she had any tips on becoming registered. I merely advised you that she got a bachelor degree before becoming licensed (and hence probably couldn't help you about becoming licensed as an RN Div2).

Anyhow. Why not just call the NBV yourselff?

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