USA Theatre RN to Perth

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Hi Everyone,

I plan to permanently move to Australia in January 2013. I have just started to look into the process of visas and nursing licenses.

My question is, would it be to soon to start the process now if I'm not planning on moving for 19 more months?

Also, what is the best way to go about the process? Apply for nursing license first? or Visa first? or apply for both at the same time? I would like to apply for the skilled workers visa as I have 8 years of R.N. nursing in the Operating Room (theatre), I have my bachelors degree in nursing, I'm 38 years old, and I plan on living permanently in Australia.

Has any one gone through this process? How was it? and how long did it take to get everything done? Any suggestions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone,

Kim in USA

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usatooos.. im in the process of trying to move to oz. i applied for my working/holiday visa first which was the easiest to obtain.. and i am now in the process of getting registered by AHPRA... you have to send them a ton of documents.. from passports.. licenses.. school transcripts.. certification of employments.. and then you wait to be approved. the website is ahpra. gov.au.. and dont think you need to to take the english test.. I called them last week seeing as its been about 3 months since i sent in my application.. and asked about the english test since i didn't take it.. she told me that if i sent her letters from high school and university stating i was taught and assessed in english.. then it would be ok.. but yes i sent in my application late march.. they sent me an email april 6th stating that they recieved it.. and i am still waiting.. it took awhile to collect all the documents as well.. i started the whole process in february. good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Hi Kim. You should try & apply for everything concurrently. You need to go to the AHPRA website and look for info there, here it is:

http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process.aspx

You will get work no problem with 8 years experience. If you move to Adelaide in Southern Australia, Royal Adelaide Hospital is always looking for OR nurses my CN friend who works here told me. Look on: careerone.com.au and type in 'Registered Nurses, Adelaide, SA'

You will need a police clearance and some states require a Working with Children Check (WA & NSW do is all I know). Whether you need an international police clearance, AHPRA can probably tell you. WA requires 2 different types of criminal checks and all the hospitals etc there are run by NurseWest - it's very different and a bit harsher, to the rest of Oz.

I wish you luck and welcome you to our unpredictable but beautiful land! Get ready for some stinking heat waves as well!

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Specializes in icu.

Yes start your application to AHPRA as soon as possible - and apply either to an agency or to a hospital direct. Many hospitals will assist you with your visa application

PS - you might have to learn "Australian" when you get here:;

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

At your age you would need a work sponsored visa or an independent work visa. If you are looking for a work sponsored visa get your registration first. As someone who interviews new staff frequently it annoys me because if I have a job advertised I need the staff sooner rather than in 6-8months once you have got your rego.

contact the international recruitment dept of a hospital in Perth to see what advice that they can give you.

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Just wondering if anybody on this thread had any advice. I am a US nurse in the midst of my AHPRA registration .. finally talking to a registration officer now.. thank god. Just wanted opinions on whether its a good idea to move to oz without having a job lined up.. or to try and secure a job while in the USA. I'm hoping that i get approved soon. because she only wanted like one more document, but i just dont know if when i get my approval if i should give my notice.. or stick around and try and find a job. Don't know if its easier to get a job over here or over there. Thanks!

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Specializes in icu.
Just wondering if anybody on this thread had any advice. I am a US nurse in the midst of my AHPRA registration .. finally talking to a registration officer now.. thank god. Just wanted opinions on whether its a good idea to move to oz without having a job lined up.. or to try and secure a job while in the USA. I'm hoping that i get approved soon. because she only wanted like one more document, but i just dont know if when i get my approval if i should give my notice.. or stick around and try and find a job. Don't know if its easier to get a job over here or over there. Thanks!

What is your speciality and where do you want to work? Personally I would apply first - I know my hospital does help with visas but we are pretty remote

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i already have my working holiday visa approved. My speciality is medical/surgical oncology. I want to work in southwest sydney.

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Specializes in icu.

Hmmm - those quals we would probably happily have you up here in north west Queensland (not that I am trying to recruit.............ah! rats - yes I am!! We are always short staffed)

But best bet would be to simply apply - you are coming at the right time of year anyway since this is a lean time for recruitment

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Haha I love queensland!! But my boyfriend is in sydney.. so sorry haha. Yeah so depending on how much more time passes between getting approved.. i might just move without a job lined up.. but well see. Thanks for the help.

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