I am an RN in the US, Washington State specifically, and I have been in the process of moving to Brisbane. I received eligibility from AHPRA, so now all I need is a job and a visa. I plan on staying in Oz around 2 years, potentially longer. I have a very open mind :) I have 3 years total experience, 2 years in Post-Partum, and Labor and Delivery, as well as 1 year in an OBGYN office. To my understanding, there aren't RN's in the field of obstetrics in Australia, correct? Will the fact that I only have experience in obstetrics hinder my ability to find a job in Australia? I am very open minded, as I said, and I am willing to work in any field of nursing that will have me.
Also, is it possible to get a Working Holiday visa just to get over there, and then apply for an employer sponsored visa once I am there? I just feel that it might be a little easier to find a job if I am physically there. Any answers or advise is greatly appreciated, as I have been in this process since December and really want to get down there as soon as possible. Thanks!
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!!
And the problem with that is that the "wellness" model becomes overwhelming and therefore they do NOT recognise deteriorating patients and we still, sadly, have women dying from maternal complications
Wow! Thank you all for that information. I was actually expecting that information. I would love to work in med-surg/ER/OR to gain the medical experience. I have always wanted to become a little more comfortable with general medical nursing, especially since pregnancy can be more complex than one thinks as it affects all of our systems. So I will start looking in those areas. Any recommendations of hospitals in Brisbane? I seem to be finding that most places like to feed new grads into med-surg, so they don't tend to hire overseas nurses, is that correct? And also, as I've been looking into ER or OR, they tend to want someone with a few years experience in ER or OR. Do you think that they would accept me with only maternity experience, even though I've been a nurse for 3 years?
The reason I am pretty specific about Brisbane is because I have some friends there. They are the reason I am relocating to Australia, and whom I intend to move in with. Otherwise I would be a nurse anywhere they needed me! :)
I agree, obstetric nurses do tend to "hold there noses up" to other nurses. But you are absolutely right. There is definitely some tunnel vision there.
Wow! Thank you all for that information. I was actually expecting that information. I would love to work in med-surg/ER/OR to gain the medical experience. I have always wanted to become a little more comfortable with general medical nursing, especially since pregnancy can be more complex than one thinks as it affects all of our systems. So I will start looking in those areas. Any recommendations of hospitals in Brisbane? I seem to be finding that most places like to feed new grads into med-surg, so they don't tend to hire overseas nurses, is that correct? And also, as I've been looking into ER or OR, they tend to want someone with a few years experience in ER or OR. Do you think that they would accept me with only maternity experience, even though I've been a nurse for 3 years?
The reason I am pretty specific about Brisbane is because I have some friends there. They are the reason I am relocating to Australia, and whom I intend to move in with. Otherwise I would be a nurse anywhere they needed me! :)
I agree, obstetric nurses do tend to "hold there noses up" to other nurses. But you are absolutely right. There is definitely some tunnel vision there.
Are you absolutely set on Brisbane? Only 'coz I know this nice little regional hospital that will welcome overseas people and is the gateway to some of the BEST camping experiences you are ever likely to have in your life!! It is NOT a "rural" hospital being around 80 beds but boy! are we remote!! We DO have more than one staff on duty at a time and in fact will not staff any ward for any length of time with less than two people - usually RN's. It is small but friendly and the local indigenous people are just wonderful - if very "traditional"
Don't go anywhere less than about 20 beds as you will have enough trouble learning the different names of drugs, scope of nursing practice, legislation surrounding care, and sometime local practices without having to manage it in a place that is four hours drive from the next town let alone the next major city.
To give you an idea though about distances here - my nearest major city is over 1,000 kilometres away. If I have to fly an ICU patient out (reasonably common) it is two and a half hours by RFDS - to get to the capital city is TWO RFDS flights away unless we borrow the government jet and getting THAT off the politicians is a real joy!! But how can you argue when the scenery out the "back door" looks like this
@us2oz.. just wondering .. about how soon after ahpra requested those extra documents from you (letter from high school, university etc) how fast did yo get approved after wards? i am hoping to move by august/september, and i have just sent ahpra the last piece of paperwork they need last week.. so im just wondering how much longer did you have to wait after that was done.
Rachi, I am sorry I couldn't figure out how to email you back, otherwise I would have responded. So to answer your question here, I heard back pretty quickly after I sent in the last piece. Usually a few days to a week after they receive it they notify you. As for the questions in the email, I must have deleted it, would you remind me of the questions you asked. I think you asked about when I plan to move. I was hoping to move soon after I was approved by AHPRA (back in May), but I haven't had much luck finding work over the internet. I got tired of waiting in order to get an employer sponsored visa, so I applied for the Work and Holiday visa. It allows you to stay for up to 1 year and work, but you can only work for 6 months at any one location. I am hoping that I can find a job with this visa and then maybe find sponsorship for a longer visa once I am in the system. I just applied for this visa last week, and I am planning to move end of August, just to give the visa enough time to process. I have to put in notice at work and what not. Hope this helps!
Thank you very much for your reply it did help! Yes I have the working/holiday visa as well.. dont worry that was the easiest part.. it prettty much took like 3 weeks to process.. and then you get an email saying you have the visa! (silly me thought that would be the long part!) I feel like you and will be moving at the same time (fingers crossed) I've heard its pretty easy to get a job once your there since they have a shortage and everything.. and yeah i have the same idea as you.. once im there hopefully i can find a hospital that likes me and can sponsor me. Just any advice on what your going to say to your manager? I'm not quite sure how to phrase it.. and to ask for a letter of recommendations and what not.
I would not call it 'easy' unless you are qualified in the most needed which is , anything to do with theatre, midwifery, icu, nicu, renal, mental health or have Ed /trauma experience and can go remote. No experience would be difficult as agencies are not supposed to employ unless on their grad program, which not sure any of them run anymore due to health facilities not paying big money for inexperienced nurses that need mentoring.
Our health funding is also going national so the public Hospitals have to prove areas of need to get funding.
Therefore they are not sponsoring as much nor hiring as much.
Aged care still we see some work but this area is now seeing many more overseas nurses applying, the pay is not the best though.
Just wanted to put you in the picture. There is work but it is not easy evev as a local with general med/surg skills to get into the public system.
Private is getting the overflow this may have slightly easier options.
I understand it may not be easy that was probably a poor choice of words but I gave been on contact with recruiters and they have told me that with my experience I will be able to secure a job quickly as there are alot of vacancies
Just apply to Queensland Health "work for us" and be prepared to hassle the daylights out of them. They are ssssllllooooowwww and seem to work better under a bit of pressure - but please do NOT rely on them and do send out your CV's and enquiries independently.
Rachi, I am sorry I couldn't figure out how to email you back, otherwise I would have responded. So to answer your question here, I heard back pretty quickly after I sent in the last piece. Usually a few days to a week after they receive it they notify you. As for the questions in the email, I must have deleted it, would you remind me of the questions you asked. I think you asked about when I plan to move. I was hoping to move soon after I was approved by AHPRA (back in May), but I haven't had much luck finding work over the internet. I got tired of waiting in order to get an employer sponsored visa, so I applied for the Work and Holiday visa. It allows you to stay for up to 1 year and work, but you can only work for 6 months at any one location. I am hoping that I can find a job with this visa and then maybe find sponsorship for a longer visa once I am in the system. I just applied for this visa last week, and I am planning to move end of August, just to give the visa enough time to process. I have to put in notice at work and what not. Hope this helps!
so any advice on how to give notice ? Ive never had to really have this conversation before, so any pointers I would appreciate!
@Mcadamia - Thank you! I actually put in my Expression of Interest with Queensland Health and they have been SO helpful, I am very grateful for that. But I will take your advise and put out my CV on my own as well. Job hunting is hard overseas!
@Rachi - I am very close with my manager at work, and she has been aware of every step of this process, so it wasn't hard to say, "Okay, now it's REALLY happening." Usually they are very understanding and sad to see you go, at least in my experience. I'm not sure what it's like where you work. Also, I put in my notice for a month from now, and they told me that if I needed an extension for any reason that would be just fine. So I'm not too worried about that part of it. I just want to give them enough time to find someone to fill my spot.
Mcadamia
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And the problem with that is that the "wellness" model becomes overwhelming and therefore they do NOT recognise deteriorating patients and we still, sadly, have women dying from maternal complications