South African Nursing ... Autralian Nursing

[ReneMendonca]

Hi, I am very new to this site and is still trying to figure out how it works. Anycase, here we go...

I am a Regitered nurse in Pretoria at the moment, in the process of moving to Aus. My Sister has been there for the past 6-7 years and my parents will be going soon. My husband and I really want to go, but I am so scared. I am scared of being in a work situation where I am not sure what to do. I am good at my job and I absolutely love my job, its just that I am wondering if they do things alot different there than here in SA...In the nursing industry. Is there a bridging course that you need to do? If there is, how long is it? Do you work while doing the course? I know these might sound silly, but I am so unsure and would be so greatful if someone that immigrated to Aus based on their skill as a nurse could tell me what they have experienced, and also just give me soe advice.

I Know about the IELTS...Getting results soon.

Regards

Rene Mendonca

[Mara]

Hi Rene

May I say welcome to our corner of the cyber world, I trust you will have many of your numerous questions answered here

Unfortunately I cannot help you with your nursing questions, just wanted to give you a great big hug and wish you well with your journey!

[ReneMendonca]

Thank you Mara..

[bbop]

Maybe take a look at this link and give them a call.

http://www.alliedhealth.co.za/Registered%20Nursing%20Jobs%20Australia.htm

[Sibella]

I know four nurses and three of them work at the same hospital and they love it. Nurses seem to have really flexible working hours as two of them are from my mothers group and when they are ready to go back to work they just do a few days a week as it suits them. One of them is a theater nurse and an ex South African, I can put you in touch with her but it really depends on which area you intend to settle as each state is different.

Good luck!

[ReneMendonca]

I know four nurses and three of them work at the same hospital and they love it. Nurses seem to have really flexible working hours as two of them are from my mothers group and when they are ready to go back to work they just do a few days a week as it suits them. One of them is a theater nurse and an ex South African, I can put you in touch with her but it really depends on which area you intend to settle as each state is different.

Good luck!

Wow! Thank you. I would beso glad, I would like to fine out about her registration and also her scope of practic there. I would be so happy if she could mail me, then I could mail her with a few questions.

mendoncarene@gmail.com

Thanks again

Rene

[Madelein]

Hallo Rene,

I haven't been on the forum for a while, but I might be able to answer a few questions. I am a Registered Nurse, a lot has changed since Immigrating to Australia 11 years ago (for Nurses).

South African Nurses are well sought after, you don't need to worry about that. Getting a job for you, depending your speciality, would be easy. Took me about 3 months to get used to the different scheduling of medications & names (in my Nursing years we used trade names and not generic). The rest is all back to basic fundamentals of Nursing.

First thing you need to do is to Register with Ahpra (Health Practitioner Board). Their website is www.ahpra.gov.au - lots of your questions will be answered. You will be assessed through Ahpra and granted Registration, depending your qualifications for mutual recognition. As far as I am aware, you don't need to do a bridging course (hope this is still the case) - there is a new model for international nurses. Once you're registered, the rest of your immigration application will be smooth and easy for you.

I have come over to Australia on a 457 visa (employer sponsored) 2 Feb 2004; Permanent residency Oct 2005 and Citizen April 2008. This worked fine for us, was a quick foot in the door (457, asessment for mutual recognition) - less than 2 months.

We basically have been everywhere: Kicked off in Sydney, moved to Canberra, Brisbane, Hervey Bay. Finally finished my GradCert in Remote Nursing and moved to a very tiny remote town in Central North West Qld (Bedourie) last year April. My position was made redundant and got a transfer with the same Company to the Gulf. Living in Normanton, doing Chronic Disease Management in Normanton and Morninton Island. Hopefully this is it and the moving is over - absolutely love my job and the teamwork is fantastic. We don't have kids, so the moving around thing wasn't too stressful. If I have to choose a major city for Nursing, I would move back to Brisbane anytime.

The world is your oyster when you have a career in Nursing. It is a lot easier than in South Africa, less responsibility (can become frustrating as you need a certificate for everything (for example IV cannulation,etc.) before they'll let you do simple procedures. But, I got used to this and are far more layed-back than I was 10 years ago.

I must confess I am not so clued up when it comes to Immigration forms, etc. But I will try and answer your questions as much as possible. Don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

Madelein

[ReneMendonca]

Hallo Rene,

I haven't been on the forum for a while, but I might be able to answer a few questions. I am a Registered Nurse, a lot has changed since Immigrating to Australia 11 years ago (for Nurses).

South African Nurses are well sought after, you don't need to worry about that. Getting a job for you, depending your speciality, would be easy. Took me about 3 months to get used to the different scheduling of medications & names (in my Nursing years we used trade names and not generic). The rest is all back to basic fundamentals of Nursing.

First thing you need to do is to Register with Ahpra (Health Practitioner Board). Their website is www.ahpra.gov.au - lots of your questions will be answered. You will be assessed through Ahpra and granted Registration, depending your qualifications for mutual recognition. As far as I am aware, you don't need to do a bridging course (hope this is still the case) - there is a new model for international nurses. Once you're registered, the rest of your immigration application will be smooth and easy for you.

I have come over to Australia on a 457 visa (employer sponsored) 2 Feb 2004; Permanent residency Oct 2005 and Citizen April 2008. This worked fine for us, was a quick foot in the door (457, asessment for mutual recognition) - less than 2 months.

We basically have been everywhere: Kicked off in Sydney, moved to Canberra, Brisbane, Hervey Bay. Finally finished my GradCert in Remote Nursing and moved to a very tiny remote town in Central North West Qld (Bedourie) last year April. My position was made redundant and got a transfer with the same Company to the Gulf. Living in Normanton, doing Chronic Disease Management in Normanton and Morninton Island. Hopefully this is it and the moving is over - absolutely love my job and the teamwork is fantastic. We don't have kids, so the moving around thing wasn't too stressful. If I have to choose a major city for Nursing, I would move back to Brisbane anytime.

The world is your oyster when you have a career in Nursing. It is a lot easier than in South Africa, less responsibility (can become frustrating as you need a certificate for everything (for example IV cannulation,etc.) before they'll let you do simple procedures. But, I got used to this and are far more layed-back than I was 10 years ago.

I must confess I am not so clued up when it comes to Immigration forms, etc. But I will try and answer your questions as much as possible. Don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

Madelein

Thank you Madelein

You answered many questions for me, and in the process probed some more. I am in the process of gathering all documents needed for AHPRA..about 99% there. Gonna try and send everything in the first week of Jan. I know that there have been many of changes made by AHPRA, but all seems reasonable. Maybe not such a bad idea with all these pop-up nursing schools here.

Anycase, thanks again! Will contact you when I'm ready with some more questions.

Rene

[ReneMendonca]

Hallo Rene,

I haven't been on the forum for a while, but I might be able to answer a few questions. I am a Registered Nurse, a lot has changed since Immigrating to Australia 11 years ago (for Nurses).

South African Nurses are well sought after, you don't need to worry about that. Getting a job for you, depending your speciality, would be easy. Took me about 3 months to get used to the different scheduling of medications & names (in my Nursing years we used trade names and not generic). The rest is all back to basic fundamentals of Nursing.

First thing you need to do is to Register with Ahpra (Health Practitioner Board). Their website is www.ahpra.gov.au - lots of your questions will be answered. You will be assessed through Ahpra and granted Registration, depending your qualifications for mutual recognition. As far as I am aware, you don't need to do a bridging course (hope this is still the case) - there is a new model for international nurses. Once you're registered, the rest of your immigration application will be smooth and easy for you.

I have come over to Australia on a 457 visa (employer sponsored) 2 Feb 2004; Permanent residency Oct 2005 and Citizen April 2008. This worked fine for us, was a quick foot in the door (457, asessment for mutual recognition) - less than 2 months.

We basically have been everywhere: Kicked off in Sydney, moved to Canberra, Brisbane, Hervey Bay. Finally finished my GradCert in Remote Nursing and moved to a very tiny remote town in Central North West Qld (Bedourie) last year April. My position was made redundant and got a transfer with the same Company to the Gulf. Living in Normanton, doing Chronic Disease Management in Normanton and Morninton Island. Hopefully this is it and the moving is over - absolutely love my job and the teamwork is fantastic. We don't have kids, so the moving around thing wasn't too stressful. If I have to choose a major city for Nursing, I would move back to Brisbane anytime.

The world is your oyster when you have a career in Nursing. It is a lot easier than in South Africa, less responsibility (can become frustrating as you need a certificate for everything (for example IV cannulation,etc.) before they'll let you do simple procedures. But, I got used to this and are far more layed-back than I was 10 years ago.

I must confess I am not so clued up when it comes to Immigration forms, etc. But I will try and answer your questions as much as possible. Don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

Madelein

Hi Madelein

Still wanted to find out from you...

I know about the fact that you have to obtain certificates for almost everything you do as an RN in Aus, but I wanted to ask you how you go about doing these courses. Is there a list that you can choose from? Does your employer send you? Where do you do it...through the hospital? Seeing that I would not have done any of these when I start there, what would I be doing in the mean time? Or do you do these courses before you start working... Oh my word, I know that I appear to be very confused and maybe a bit stressed....I can assure you I AM!!! hahah!

Well my application is in to AHPRA...they have received it, so lets wait and see!

Regards

Rene

[aquagirl]

You qualification needs to be a Bachelors Degree.

Look up the "Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia"

then search for "internationally qualified nurses and midwives"

and search for "bridging programs"