US RN moving to Oz visa questions

[5432112345]

I have a couple questions if anyone is able to help me out. I am a registered nurse with my BSN, and I have one and a half years of nursing experience on a neuro/surgical floor. I would like to move to Australia, but I'm not sure which visa I should apply for. I am under 30 and I do qualify for a working holiday visa. I would be interested in this, however, I'm not sure I only want to work in Australia for just one year. Also, I'm not sure how many employers would hire individuals with this visa because of the 6 month at one job stipulation. Has anyone gone over with a working holiday visa and been sponsored to stay longer? Or is it harder to get a job with a working holiday visa? Should I use extra time and money to apply for the skilled working holiday visa? I know one must go through ANMAC to have skills checked and so on. I am leaning toward applying for the skilled nursing visa, however, I'm curious if anyone has had success going the working holiday visa route. I would really appreciate some feedback :).

[YeXinZhi, BSN, RN]

Hi,

RNs on working holidays are quite common in Australia, the bulk of nurses coming from New Zealand.

With regards to employment options, working for a nursing agency will be your best bet, or you could try applying for a temporary relief position although most places would probably look at others with local experience first. Remember, the health system is very much different from that of the US (even lab values are interpreted differently). Also remember that working holiday visas cannot be extended beyond 1 year unless you work rurally in farming or agriculture.

I don't think it is a bad idea to suss out Australia first on a working holiday. See how you go working for a nursing agency and if you like it maybe you can come back on a long stay or permanent visa. That way, you get local experience.

You will need to go through AHPRA for your license and ANMAC for skilled migration assessment (if applying for a permanent visa).

I've never worked alongside American RNs on a working holiday but others may have. Give it a go, it never hurts to send your resume to some of the nursing agencies in Oz. They mught be able to give you detailed advice specific to your circumstances.