USA Labor and Delivery RN moving to Australia

allnurses Guide · Jun 15, 2011

There aren't RNs in obstetrics in Australia? What do you mean? Where did you get that info?

What have you done to look for a job so far? If I were you I would start looking at the websites of the Brisbane hospitals, focusing on the women's or L&D if you want to, or any of them if you don't care. Many places will do phone interviews and set up jobs that way without you being there. My experience was mostly in critical care which has severe shortage so I am not sure about for floor nurses.

Rachi321 · Jun 15, 2011

US 2oz.. hey i am a us rn.. trying to move to oz... i sent in my ahpra registration in march. How long did it take you to get registered? How was the process?

UStoOz · Jun 16, 2011

@ghillbert - I just assumed that information actually :) I have been researching it online and have found that only midwives work in obstetrics. But if there are positions available for RN's, I would feel much better. I have actually been communicating with Plexus, a nurse recruitment agency, about finding a job. I haven't really heard much from them, and it's making me quite anxious because it's almost like "my life is in their hands" and they aren't letting me know how it's going. So I took it upon myself to apply somewhere. I have only applied to Mater hospital, and they sent me an e-mail within a few days saying they were unable to offer me a position. I was a little discouraged by this, but that's why I decided to come post on here to get a little feedback. I am definitely willing to jump into another branch of nursing, I would love to enhance my skills, but I am just not sure if anyone would hire me and also sponsor my visa if I don't have experience in say ER, or Critical Care. What do you think? Should I stick with the agency and wait it out, or branch off on my own?

@Rachi321 - It took a LONG time. I sent my registration mid-January of this year with the quickest postage I could buy. About 1 week later they e-mailed me saying this: "AHPRA acknowledges receipt of your application for registration. The application is currently being assessed and you will be notified if any further information is required. Once your application has been assessed and processed you will be advised of the outcome." I didn't hear anything from them, even though I e-mailed them once or twice, until beginning of April requesting payment authorization because I had apparently allotted the wrong amount for that. I sent that form scanned into the computer via e-mail as well as sent a copy in post and he e-mailed me back 1 week later saying "We have received payment. Your application will be allocated to a case manager." The next day I received an email stating that they were doing a preliminary assessment and asked me to provide a few further documents. Then there was some more back and forth between us about things I was missing, I provided them, and then finally received my eligibility letter in mid-May. So don't be discouraged, they just take a while to actually get to your application. As long as you were very thorough, it should go quick once they start the assessment. But I had not sent in a letter from my secondary school saying I was taught and assessed in English, as well as a few other odds and ends that were easy to retrieve, so it took me a bit longer. I hope that helps! I actually followed the thread about AHPRA on here religiously, desperate for new developments, but all the advise I can give you is to be patient. Your time will come :)

Rachi321 · Jun 16, 2011

I am so glad you wrote that!! I was getting so anxious, so today i called them and they told me the exact same thing!! I am missing the letter from my secondary education which is college? She told me that it hadn't begun to be processed yet but that she would move it along. Ugh it has been so frustrating. You just got letters from your high school and college saying you were taught in english and sent it to AHPRA?

UStoOz · Jun 16, 2011

I've definitely been in your shoes! Waiting for that thing was torture. But now that I have it, it seems silly that I worried so much. Now my worrying is about finding a job. It's always something :)

Nope, secondary education is High School. I went to my HS and said "I need a letter saying that you taught and assessed me in English" and they made me one, after a little explanation of course. But make sure you get the Principal or similar to make the letter, because the first one I got was just from one of the school counselors and they didn't like that one. My University made me a letter without hesitation and they also attached a course listing with full course descriptions as well as theory/clinical hours for each course. You need to have that too, if you don't already.

Rachi321 · Jun 16, 2011

ok thanks for the advice i really appreciate it. i am going to make some calls tomorrow hopefully get the letters as soon as possible. Yes i did send a copy of my transcripts with course title, clinical hours etc. Best of luck with everything, keep me posted with everything, its great to meet someone in the same situation as i!

Rachi321 · Jun 16, 2011

ustooz.. just wondering.. like you said the principal had to sign the letter for high school, who signed the letter for university.. the dean?

UStoOz · Jun 17, 2011

Yes, the dean. I contacted the "front desk" at my nursing school and she facilitated it all. She even emailed me a copy to have for my records. It was very nice.

Rachi321 · Jun 17, 2011

Thanks... trying to get on it.. how is your job search going? when are you going to move?

ceridwyn · Jun 17, 2011

There is a a strict line in Australia, well victoria......midwives rule in mid wards.....I have tried several times to get clinical experience in mid and the midwifery unit managers quake in their boots to think of hiring an RN that is not a midwife as well......there is now a direct entry degree and these midwives/student midwives definately think superior to RN's....the other day my daughters friend was saying she is not going to be 'just a nurse' but she is going to be a midwife. This is just one example, I have heard others talk of this.......though with lots of experience you may just clinch a position on a midwifery unit.......though be prepared to find the demarcation line between RN's and midwives, they rule in mid.

Who does the 'nursing' after the baby is born, who knows!! or looks after medical/surgical conditions that crop up after delivery this apparently is not nursing!!

dvsbec · Jun 17, 2011

I worked in Queensland as both an RN and a midwife. You will find it very very difficult to get a job in Ob/Gyn field as an RN as most hospitals (certainly the government funded ones) will most likely hire a midwife rather than an RN. If you did find a place to hire you, they would only have you working on a post-natal ward or in special care nursery - they only have midwives working in L&D.

For the purposes of gaining a work visa - I would look at getting into more general areas such as medical or surgical. Or, look to get a position in ER, ICU, or OR and gain some experience there - speciality nurses with at least 12 months experience in specialty areas are usually well sought after.

Another thing to consider - it is usually easier to get a nursing position in remote areas around australia. however, you need to consider that these areas are usually hours away from the main cities, and very poorly staffed. You are often the only nurse on duty with very little support. Just something to consider!

Good luck - having just been through all the red tape and dramas of finding a nursing position in another country and all the hassles of getting permits sorted, i don't envy you at all!