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!
@ceridwyn - I really appreciate your input here. I appreciate your honesty. I want to know as much as I can before I get over there so that I don't have any false hope or too high of expectations. You are very helpful! Any advise is welcome!
i guess you are lucky then! i am not that close with my manager because i only see her for like one hour each morning! Shes kinda stand offish.. so i havent really let her in to what my plans are because i felt like it just wasnt in my best interest.. until had everything set. Now that Im getting close to getting approved... hopefully... i am probably going to have to have the talk with her soon and im just getting a little nervous about it now!
A little insight from an insider - Gold Coast hospital is about to double in size so it is worthwhile throwing your hat in that direction. Not Brisbane but within driving distance at least (well by Aussie standards but don't listen to me too hard on that score I am currently in "The Isa" and we consider anything within 500 kilometres within a days drive;)
Mcademia - I heard! They are actually promoting (is that the correct word) me over there, so we will see. I think I can handle an hour commute. I've never had to do that, so it will be a good learning experience. Hopefully I can do 10 hour shifts or something so I won't have to commute 5 days a week. Thank you for the insight :)
Ok, new question. Do Aussie nurses wear their own scrubs, or do the hospitals provide/require a certain type of scrubs? I am debating whether I should give mine away or not. I don't want to waste packing space if I won't even be allowed to wear them over there. Also, is CPR the same over there as in America? I am due to renew my CPR soon and was wondering if I should even bother since I will be leaving.
NO , No no, scrubs, these are only used in some ED's and in OP theatre and sometimes in some ICU"S long pants, shorts if up north and shirts are the uniform used here, no scrubs no scrubs, no scrubs.......sorry this question has been asked a few times thought I would confirm and confirm again.
Some hospitals supply a uniform. Some states supply the uniform for all public hospitals, here in Victoria often there is no uniform in the public hospitals, they just insist on long pants and shirts with collars. no midriff showing.
ps if you do need to wear scrubs, the hospitals supplies generic versions! sml, med. large x-large.
As for CPR some hospitals go through at as part of orientation. Australia follows the same procedures as the Internationa resus org. so you should be fine.
I have seen crocs on permanent theatre staff that wear scrubs and their own footwear, I would be seen as inapproriate in any hospital, community health or nursing home I have ever worked in to wear crocs.
Shoes are no longer specified, but must be closed in shoe, usually navy or black and have straps or plain shoes navy or black, small to no heels.
Not sure what you mean by sneakers, but if you are talking about addidas or asics, nike sport shoes, no these are not worn either. Nurse often wear the support shoes one of the common brands are hush puppies, dianna ferrari, usual nice thick sole, rubber, support arch that sort of thing, no gym shoes or crocs.
Ok thanks good to know! I guess ill find out more soon enough. So annoying just talked to my case manager on tuesday (wed oz time) she said she FINALLy received the last document she needed (transcript of my clinical courses) on tuesday.. and she would assess them and reply to me as soon as possible.. Been waiting about 4 months... This is Crazzzy!
Wow, this post has been so helpful for me! I am an RN living and practicing in Oregon- I work as a case manager in psych and maternity right now but am hoping to move to Australia and start working as a OB nurse again ( I worked in Washington state in L&D, PP, newborn for 2 years). Sounds like working as a labor/delivery nurse is difficult as this is mainly done by midwives in Australia.
Does anyone have any helpful resources about the role of a midwife versus a RN in Australia? Are there any programs to transition from RN to Australian midwife?
How about working in mother baby unit? Would they hire a RN?
I haven't even started the project of applying for everything for registration. Are you using the application:
Application for general registration (graduated or trained overseas)
as a Registered Nurse, Enrolled Nurse or Midwife
As far as getting a holiday visa, I am 30 so I don't think I qualify for that. Is the visa to be sponsored by your employer fairly simple? Does it take a long time? I am going to be marrying my boyfriend, who is Australian (so I will be a citizen), but I don't know how long all that paperwork will take versus just getting an employer to sponsor me in the meantime. We are still living in the US but moving to Australia around November 2011.
On another note, how much does a nurse get paid in Australia?
I keep hearing "there is a nursing shortage in Aus, it will be easy to find work" but I'm starting to think it is similar to the US, where there may be a shortage but doesn't always mean there are jobs!
Obviously I am just beginning this whole process and it seems very very overwhelming!
Thanks for any feedback and/or helpful websites you can provide.
@US2Oz.. dont know if you're reading this anymore .. but im getting really anxious my registration officer told me last tuesday that she got my last piece of information and was hoping to assess and reply to me as soon as possible.. now a week later.. i don't know what to do.. if i should email her agin.. or if thats just gonna annoy her.. this thing is going on 4 1/2 months.. i just want to know already!
@ Rachi - It never hurts to call/e-mail, but in the whole process I never really got responses and was on hold for at least 30 minutes when I called. Give it another week, then call. They are very slow with processing things over there, so I guess us Americans are just going to have to learn to be REALLY patient. I applied for my Work & Holiday visa on July 5th, received the e-mail telling me what I need on July 11th, they received my Medical exam (and everything else they were asking for) on July 30th and still haven't heard anything. So much for 3 week processing on my visa Guess I will have to just extend my notice at work a bit.
@mernurse - yes, that is the appropriate application. That whole process to get your license over there seems to be taking about 4-5 months, so I would get on that as soon as you can. I think that is just about all the help I can be in regards to your questions. I'm not too sure about salary and if they hire in postpartum. Good luck!
Guess I will have to just extend my notice at work a bit.
UStoOz
14 Posts
@ceridwyn - I really appreciate your input here. I appreciate your honesty. I want to know as much as I can before I get over there so that I don't have any false hope or too high of expectations. You are very helpful! Any advise is welcome!