US RN wants to work in Australia

Ross1 · Jul 25, 2004

I am a nursing student in an ADN program in the USA and my spouse is an Aussie. So perhaps someday, we will return to Australia. I spoke with a reviewer at the agency in Australia that handles foreign RN applicants and she told me that nursing education and licensure in the USA is similar to Australia's and that US RN's have no difficulty in obtaining RN licensure in Australia, regardless of the educational preparation (ADN, Diploma, BSN etc). I did forget to ask about testing but can assume that one would probably need to take the Australian licensing exam. Of course, your biggest hindrance could be immigration issues so that is certainly worth exploring.

renerian, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2004

I have an ADN and wanted to work in Australia. I had to take some classes or something, test and some other things/plus a high fee. I could not find a sponser. I could not afford it. The fees alone were in the several thousands.

renerian

hypnotic_nurse · Jul 26, 2004

I contacted several agencies for travel nursing but each told me I would not be eligible because I am over 40!

gwenith, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2004

I contacted several agencies for travel nursing but each told me I would not be eligible because I am over 40!

Hmmm they should NOT have said that it is discriminatory and there are BIG fines over here for that sort of thing.

The first step always is to contact the registration board and there is a link to this and to the immigration website in the "sticky" thread at the top of the forum.:)

jjjsps · Jul 26, 2004

I know that they have a clause about age discrimination and getting a Visa. I did not know that it could be so hard and expensive to find a sponsor. I am wondering if there are exceptions (getting a work visa) for areas of special need.

Where is the biggest shortage in Australia of RN's? Has anyone gotten arround the age limit? I don't want to permanently live there I am interested to obtain a limited working visa.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2004

I know that they have a clause about age discrimination and getting a Visa. I did not know that it could be so hard and expensive to find a sponsor. I am wondering if there are exceptions (getting a work visa) for areas of special need.
Where is the biggest shortage in Australia of RN's? Has anyone gotten arround the age limit? I don't want to permanently live there I am interested to obtain a limited working visa.

Okay the absolute biggest shortage is rural and remote but believe me it would NOT be in your best interests to go straight out to a remote station. (When we say remote we MEAN remote) our drug names are different for a start. Other than that ICU is in short supply everywhere. Also mental health nursing especially in the rural hospitals.

citrus3 · Jul 29, 2004

Nursing licensure also depends on what state. I'm from New South Wales state which recognizes USA qualifications and licenses. They will require you to submit certain documents and pay a fee, no exams are involved. In Queensland, nurses are required to sit an exam but I'm not sure if this is required of overseas nurses. In Western Australia five years ago, they required negative MRSA swab results. I'm not sure if they still do. Yes, the best thing to do is to contact the board of nursing of the state you want to go to.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2004

Usually the first step is to contact what was the ANCI and is now the ANC - sorry just realised that they had a name change and the link I provided did not work:rolleyes:

The new link is

http://www.anc.org.au/

Overseas nurses who are planning on working in Australia may need to apply for a skills assessment with the ANC. This section of the website provides more information on the requirements and access to the ANC's full and modified assessment forms.

Some overseas nurses who wish to work in Australia must undertake an assessment with the ANC to be eligible for migration.
You should not apply for an assessment with the ANC if you are:
Enrolled Nurse /Registered Nurse Division 2
Overseas nurse who holds a permanent resident visa
Nurses applying for Working Holiday Visas
These nurses should apply directly to the relevant state or territory nurse regulatory authority.

lavarn · Apr 13, 2006

I am from the US, and I presently live in Melbourne. I am a LPN in the US, and went back to uni here, and graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing.

In Victoria, you do not have to take an exam to be registered as a RN.

You can visit the Nurses Board of Victoria website, and get the forms that you need.

The tricky part is getting permanent residency, and if you are over 45 it is not so easy. I was granted PR in March! wooohoooo!

Now, my dilemma is when I go back to the US, I want to be licensed there as well, and I don't have the needed theory/clinical rotations in PEDS/OB. I am presently working with the state board in the state that I am from, and hopefully there is a solution that won't be too difficult.

lava RN

HM2VikingRN, RN · Apr 13, 2006

I am starting school in the fall for an accelerated BSN program. The school offers an option to go straight through to Nurse Practitioner. What are the chances of being able to get a work permit? (I am a Hospital Corpsman in the reserves of the USN?) I am 45 should be 48 at finish?

augigi, CNS · Apr 14, 2006

Australia is not as far progessed into NP territory - there are few NPs as it is such a laborious procedure to gain the title, and there are less than 5 approved NP-preparatory Masters programs. So I guess I am saying having NP would not be hugely advantageous as there are few positions for them in Australia.

The age requirement only comes into play if you need a working holiday visa. There are occupational visas (we have a bad nursing shortage). Check out this helpful info: http://www.alfred.org.au/career_details.html?id=2003#Working_in_Australia_and_at_The_Alfred