How to Become a Nurse in Australia

It has been six months of working here in Australia as a Registered Nurse Division 1. I am enjoying every minute of it. It was worth all the risks, sacrifices and money that I underwent to be a nurse here. I am thankful for all the people that helped me. I love my job and will continue to serve the sick and the needy. I would like to share also my success to those who would like to be a nurse down under. The following are the step by step process to become a nurse in Australia especially coming from the Philippines. It is also the same if you are from other countries except for some difference of names.

How to Register as a Nurse in Australia

Resources:

Ø Registration for Nurse Practitioner in Australia is governed by rules and regulations of the following agencies/Board. All information can be found at the following websites:

o Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – APHRA (http://www.ahpra.gov.au/)

o Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/)

Ø Application Guide: All Nurses

o http://allnurses.com/international-nursing/new-grad-filipino-501897.html

o New grad Filipino nurse wanting to work in Australia/New Zealand Part 2 - Nursing for Nurses

STEPS:

1) Years or Nursing Experience Required: at least 3 months as a registered nurse

2) English Proficiency: Register for IELTS Exam.

a. Minimum requirement is a score of 7 in each of 4 components (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Thus, you may need to prepare thoroughly for this Exam.

b. Testing Dates and Centres are available at

o http://www.idp.com/ielts.aspx

o http://www.britishcouncil.org

c. IELTS Exam Costs about PHP10,000

d. Results of IELTS Exam shall be available after a month from exam date.

e. Arrange result of the test to be mailed to AHPRA Nursing and Midwifery Board.

3) Apply for registration application AHPRA Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/

a. Please see attached Go to FORMS and download Application for general registration (graduated or trained overseas) as a Registered Nurse, Enrolled Nurse or Midwife - AGOS-04

b. Specify which AHPRA office or state in Australia you want to send the application.

c. All documents must be certified true copy. Do not send any original documents.

d. Supply other requirements such as arranging for PRC to send the Verification of License to AHPRA

e. Pay the correct amount of money using a credit card.

f. Wait for three to six months for the outcome of the application, they will contact you via e-mail or snail mail.

4) Outcome of the Application:

a. If approved, you will be required to take the nursing bridging program for overseas nurses. They will give you a list of the nursing schools across Australia.

5) Application for Nursing Bridging Program or Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses accredited by APHRA.

a. Contact accredited schools and inquire about school intake and fees. Most school’s tuition fees are approximately AUD 10,000 to 13,000

b. The Bridging Program has a duration of 2, 3, to 6 months. You may start to look for a school while waiting for your IELTS or APHRA Acceptance Results/

c. Please see attached “Nursing Program of Study – Provider Contacts” for list of accredited schools in Australia in AHPRA website

d. Once you have selected which school to enrol, you should submit all the required documents needed by the school. Each school has its own specific list of requirements. Better check them for accuracy.

e. Schools usually reply fast, once you have forwarded the complete requirements to them.

f. The school will issue a Letter of Conditional Acceptance, which you need to pay the Downpayment for the tuition to make the Acceptance unconditional.

g. Once you have accepted the school, you will need to inform APHRA of your school choice for the Bridging Program.

Note: You have to arrange your own accommodation in Australia. You can ask the school if they offer some assistance. Best option is to stay with your relatives in Australia.

6) Apply for Visa

a. Check requirements here: http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/

b. Lodge your visa either as student, business or tourist visa. It depends on the school’s suggestion of which visa. All these three will allow you to take the bridging program in Australia.

c. Minimum funds to show the immigration is AUD 1500 for each month throughout your duration of stay in Australia. This must be in your account for at least 3 months.

d. Once you have your visa, buy your plane ticket which costs around AUD 700 to 1000, and also buy your health insurance to cover your stay in Australia which costs around AUD 120 or more depending on your health insurance cover.

7) APHRA License

a. Once you have completed the program, your school will forward your grades to APHRA for issuance of APHRA License.

b. The APHRA License will now allow you to practice in Australia as a Registered Nurse, and your name will appear in the APHRA website as an RN. However, licensure and immigration is different. However, you still need a proper visa such as working visa to allow you to stay and work for a period of time in Australia. You need to find an employer to sponsor you on a working visa subclass 457.

8) Job Hunting

a. Apply online in various hospitals in Australia. If you opt to stay in the Philippines, interview shall be done via telephone or skype.

b. However, it is faster that you go back to Australia and get interviewed in person.

Note: All Application and Registration can be done Online. Payment is also done via credit card payment. Getting information on the above steps involves a lot of researching over the internet. Be sure to read all instructions thoroughly.

Good luck!

Free Volunteer Nursing Training Program in Manila

Ospital ng Maynila
Pres. Quirino Ave., cor. Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila 1004
Tel: 524-6061/525-7019

Requirements:

• Letter of Intent adressed

mmmTo: ___________________
mmmmmHospital Director

mmmThru: Mrs. Asuncion C. Balisado, RN, MAN
mmmmmmChief Nurse

• PRC ID
  
• TOR
• Diploma
• Board Rating
• Seminar Certificates

Follow-up your application after two weeks through phone.

Nurse's Salary in Australia

.
Australia Jobs Wages

Nurse's Wages in Queensland

.

Requirements for Middle East

The following are the documents required of most Ministries in Middle East (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, etc) from the Philippines:

• Resume/Curriculum vitae
• Transcript of Records
• Related Learning of Experience
• College Diploma
• High School Diploma
• PRC Board Rating and Certificate
• PRC id/license
• Employment and Trainings certificate
• NBI clearance
• Passport

All nursing records, certificate of experience and PRC papers must be authorized by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Middle East country that you wish to work at.

Nursing in Kuwait

In the Middle East, Kuwait would be the best open country to work in the field of Nursing next to Dubai. One is not required to wear the hijab (head cover that resembles a black veil) and the abaya (ninja dress). Other than that, there is no arranged schedule of shopping time like in Saudi Arabia. You can freely go out of your hostel anytime but curfew hours is still implemented.

Requirements:

• Bachelor of Nursing (preferably 3 or 4 years)
  
• At least 2 years post graduate experience
• Professional Nursing License in home country
• Fit to work
• All documents must be authenticated by Kuwait Embassy)
• Passing of Ministry of Health (MOH) exam administered by MOH Kuwait. The hospital who will sponsor will have to require you to pass this exam in order to have a working license in Kuwait.
  

Accommodation is commonly provided by the hospital. Salary ranges from KD 250-400 in most private hospitals and clinics. However, nurses who work in Kuwait ministry hospitals receive higher compensation. Health insurance is shouldered by hospitals but some require that minimum percentage of health costs is required to pay by the nurse that amount to 10 - 20%. Leave includes annual (at least 25 days), maternity, emergency (15 days) and sick leave of 6 days per year.

Agencies in the Philippines which have link to Kuwait Hospitals:

For other agencies and job openings, visit www.workabroad.ph. Please do not ask the details of the agencies since I do not have affiliations with them. Do your own homework and leg work.

• Ministry of Health Kuwait conducts interview and exam in the Philippines

Agency Name:	BEST ONE INTERNATIONAL
POEA License No.:	POEA-174-LB-070403
Address:	1810-B San Marcelino St. Malate Manila Manila, Metro Manila
Tel. No.:	5243906-10

Agency Name:	ADM INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES COMPANY
POEA License No.:	POEA-204-LB-070708-R
Address:	3rd Floor Main Bldg. Reliance Center #99 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Bgy. Ugong, Pasig City Pasig City, Metro Manila
Tel. No.:	02-6723896

Agency Name:	BLAZING STAR INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
POEA License No.:	109 -LB -061807 - R
Address:	UNIT 303 GEDISCO TERRACE BLDG, 1148 ROXAS BLVD., ERMITA, MANILA, Metro Manila
Tel. No.:	484-1700 / 5213158

Agency Name:	SPRING RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTIONS INC.
POEA License No.:	005-LB-053106-R
Address:	205 MARBELLA BLDG. II 2071 ROXAS BLVD. MALATE, Metro Manila
Tel. No.:	5213484

Agency Name:	REGAL VISION INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES, CORP.
POEA License No.:	079-LB-040208-R
Address:	Unit 101 G/F Manor Building, 2635 Taft Avenue, Malate Manila, Metro Manila
Tel. No.:	(632) 5252080/(632)3872616

What's your Nursing Shoes?

Miss Lilac says: The leather white Dansko Calla is a worthy buy considering its price. Since it is a leather type, it is prone to scratches but the comfort level is way beyond my expectation and with the extra inches, anyone will look taller. Moreover, the shoes look heavy but if you start moving, it is light as feather.

Product Features

• Material: Nubuck leather
• Lining: Leather
• Sole: Nitril rubber
• Lacing: N/A
• Shank: Full, TPU
• Recommended Use: Casual

From the Manufacturer

Ahhhhh, Dansko. There you go again. Doing your all-day comfort thing. Making us feel so good on our feet. With excellent arch support and legendary comfort, you let us stand longer than ever. And with great styles in a range of heel heights, you have us feeling all tingly inside, just like the day we first met. When wife and husband team, Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup discovered the world's most comfortable shoe in a tiny shop in Denmark in 1990, they just had to bring some home for their friends. When their friends tried them on, they told their friends. And just like that, a shoe company was born. Now Dansko not only sells their original clogs, but also heels, boots, sandals, wedges and flats too! Every style features the Dansko DNA - materials and construction carefully selected to promote good foot, leg and back health, so that you can stand better, for longer. Say goodbye to choosing between looking good and feeling good. And say hello to having it all.

Product Description

When you need the comfort of a Dansko clog but want a sportier look, slip on the Dansko Women's Calla Casual Shoes. These shoes are made with the highest quality nubuck leathers and include a breathable leather sock lining that absorbs odor and wicks moisture. A polyurethane midsole and footbed absorbs shock and increases energy return, so your feet stay comfortable throughout the day. A TPU shank provides killer stability and reduces pronation, while an abrasion-resistant outsole makes these casual shoes last and last.

IELTS Writing Tips

IELTS is one of the first step for a nurse to pass as one of the requirements of most of the countries. Certain band scores are needed as strictly listed by nursing bodies or states for instance in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

For most people, writing seem to be the most difficult section of IELTS to attain a higher band score of 7 and above. I am also struggling how to achieve that score. I have been researching online about writing tips and found one of the few best sites for accurate tips and practice exams especially in writing task.

Overall, the following list of websites helped me tremendously in understanding the exam. Hope it will help you too.

TOP 6

1) Scott's English Success
Pros: Best site to study especially for listening and reading. It gives a detailed overview of the whole exam. There is no need to buy the IELTS package. Moreover, Mr. Scott has an Australian accent. Highly recommended.
Cons: Not that helpful in speaking and writing sections. It costs $49 for one month subscription.

2) Exams and Study - British Council
Pros: Many exercises and study materials on 4 sections of the exam and it is totally free!

3) Dominic Cole's IELTS blog
Pros: It has very helpful tips in writing and in other sections of the exam. Also, it has useful links as well.

4) Writefix.com
It has detailed information on how to write argument and opinion essays using a step by step approach. It is one of my favorites.

5) TEFLtastic
Several tips and strategies in writing in both task 1 and task 2.

6) A Teacher's Oddysey
Pros: It will do a makeover of your essay and give feedback using the 4 point critique or grading in writing. I have not tried sending my own essay so I do not know how fast they can grade it. Miracel Juanto will do the entire makeover for free.

Note: For writing, it is very important that someone will do the checking of your essay. Because most grammar mistakes may seem right in your perspective but it is entirely the opposite. This is also true for speaking. Practice your conversational English to someone who is good in speaking or to a native English speaker.

Clinic Nurse, Dental hygienist, and Dental Nurse

Dental hygienist and Dental Nurses:

• Work experience as a dental nurse or hygienist
• Licensed as a nurse in Kuwait
• Will be assigned in a prestigious dental clinic

Clinic Nurse

• Work experience as a clinic nurse
• Licensed as a nurse in Kuwait
• Part time job only from 4 - 9pm daily(except on Fridays) in a clinic in Salmiya
  

I don't mean to sound racist but I am just helping out this recruiter who had a hard time recruiting. (haha!), sad to say they only want Filipinas. I did not question why but there's evident but unspoken racial discrimination in Kuwait.

For those interested, please send your resume to lilacrn@gmail.com. Put the job description as the subject.

November 2008 RN Babies

Congratulations, you finally made it!

Welcome to the Nursing World!

To see your names on the list, click this link: November 2008 Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam

Cancer Free

This is to reflect last year of my mom's endurance and strong will in fighting thyroid cancer. She has been through a lot and I have never seen her shed a tear after all the excruciating pain of total thyroidectomy on top of other complications of hypertension, chronic use of steroids, and arthritis. For the past few months, she had kidney stones which she also battled through it. I am happy that she is now back to her normal activities and enjoying every single beauty of life. The following are the articles I wrote when she had the cancer:

Daily Profile of a Nursing Student
Caring Point
Overcoming Clumsiness

Future RN babies

Wishing all the luck to my 23 nursing babies and soon to be Registered Nurses!

The pressure is high as the exam date is nearing. As long as you take control of the anxiety, you will be fine. Take time to relax a day or 2 before the exam. I strictly do not recommend studying the night before the exam. You should be ready by now after all the months of preparation. Put in your mind that you will pass. Lastly, write down your full name with the initials RN after it.

Hoping to see you on the list of Registered Nurses. yey!

PNLE June 2008

Here's the list of examinees who passed the Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam on June 2008:
June Nursing Licensure Exam Results 2008

27,765 passed out of 64,459 examinees = 43%

Sure-fire Tips for NLE

Are you dreaded by the upcoming Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam? How many percent of mastery of nursing topics have you covered so far?

Some of the questions I often ask to my future colleagues. I think, if you have mastered the material and be able to explain on your own, then you are set to take the exam. Explaining a certain disease or topic to someone is the best way to gauge you understanding of the topic. Remember, if you combine the three ways of studying: reading, writing, and speaking, the more information will be retained. Certain study practices are relative to the person. So if you are a kind of person who studies with the aid of pictures, stick to visuals.

I am posting some tips that I learned while studying for the same exam. I wish I had known it sooner or applied it during practice exams. I did not land in the top ten but was proud to earn a grade high enough to be accepted by any tertiary hospitals. I would like to share it to thousands of future RNs.

To successfully pass the NLE, the following are the breakdown of individual allotment:

~60% Study effort
~25% Determination to pass
~10% Motivation
~5% Support (emotional, spiritual, social, psychological)
~100% Passing rate

Miss Lilac's Tips

o Read each question and answer c a r e f u l l y!

o Eliminate atleast 2 wrong choices, go back and read the situation, then select the correct answer

o When given choices with dates, years or numbers, choose the 2 in between among the selection: For example: a) 1997 b) 1990 c) 1996 d) 1999. Probable answer is between the two red choices. Only use this if you have completely no idea of the answer.

o Nursing interventions always starts with an assessment.

o Be familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy, Erik Erikson, ABC’s, and Protocol in fire emergency, etc. As much as possible, master all the information in a table format in any nursing books.

o Communication Skills:
1) Check the statement if its TRUE
2) Check if the true statement is therapeutic. Eliminate all non-therapeutic statements.
3) If it is true and therapeutic, this is likely the answer

o Complete with general ideas or “umbrella” is usually the correct answer but not necessarily the longest answer. Most of the time, the longest choice is the correct answer.

o On the last week or 2 weeks before exam, practice answering on practice exams. Do not If you get 60% and above in all of the tests, there is a high possibility that you will pass!

o Be sure to have some knowledge listed below. The exam revolves on the eleven (11) core competency areas for nursing practice:

1. Safe and Quality Nursing Care
2. Management of Resources and Environment
3. Health Education
4. Legal Responsibility
5. Ethico-Moral Responsibility
6. Personal and Professional Development
7. Quality Improvement
8. Research
9. Record Management
10. Communication
11. Collaboration and Teamwork

o Take a break in between studying time. Do not force yourself to memorize the material if the brain cannot take it anymore. Have a break, talk to someone, watch TV, eat, or take a long walk. The brain is like a sponge it will absorb and process all the information when it is ready.

o Do not review on the last day before the exam. Take this time to relax and unwind.

o Get enough sleep the night before the major day. Prepare all the requirements before going to sleep.

o Last but not the least, write down your full name followed by (comma) RN in any sheet of paper like you really, really, mean it then smile.

Good luck!

Basic Life Support Courses

I have been searching for quite some time on different training centers that offer BLS/ACLS or any of the life support trainings or courses in the Philippines.

There are two centers that I know of offer several life support trainings in Manila: Philippine National Red Cross and Philippine Heart Center.

The Philippine National Red Cross has several chapters that caters all over Philippines. After the said training, you can be a volunteer under them. The training is usually a week long that starts from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm except on Saturday (half day).

The Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City offers Basic Life Support trainings through Critical Care Nuses Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CCNAPI). For more details, visit http://ccnapi.multiply.com/.

Take note that those trainings offered in the Philippines are not credited when you go abroad. Most of the hospitals outside the coutnry require trainings that are accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA). So if you are heading to the US, it is a waste of money and time doing the training in PI when all hospitals in the US will offer the said trainings for free. The same goes for the Middle East countries, you will undergo training again with or without charge. But if you plan to work in the Philippines and stay for a while, the said trainings are deemed necessary as various hospitals have listed them as one of the requirements.

There is one center, however, as I have been browsing online that claimed their trainings are accredited by AHA. It is the Emergent Medical Training Center for Asia, an authorized provider of the American Heart Association courses in BLS, ACLS and PALS in the Philippines.

I have never heard any feedback about this center. Take a look at their courses fees, very dear! Basing on the fees, people will expect that the trainings are at par with the US and the certificates that will be received can be used elsewhere. I will also expect that after all the trainings, I am highly skilled in performing life suport to people. For those of you who have undergone in this center, please share your experience.

Fundamentals of Nursing

The eighth edition is here! I know it's pretty late but I really want this book. It was published early of 2007. I was able to read it in the library last summer 2008. I want it so bad to replace the old one and it would be an addition to my nursing books collection. I love investing in hardbound books just to feel the glossy paper and the sight of colorful pictures that would motivate me to learn more. It costs $72.52 plus free shipping at Amazon.com.

The new feature of the book showcases sample of nursing notes at the end of every nursing skill procedure. It serves as a guide on which important information to write down. I need to save some $ for this one. Gotta love nursing books!

Nursing Schools Performance

I have included all the performances of nursing schools' passing rates of the local nursing licensure exams covered last December 2006, June 2007, December 2007 and June 2008.

The schools were categorized based on their average ratings throughout the said period. The rating categories are the following: 0-25%, 26-50%, 51-75% and 76-100%. There are about 231 nursing schools who have ratings of 0-25%, 203 nursing schools falls under 26-5o%, 86 nursing school under 51-75% and 126 nursing schools under 76-100%.

More than half of the nursing schools are performing poorly at a rating of 50% and below. There are even schools like maritime, computer, law, arts & trades and many others which offers BSN program when their forte is not even close to nursing. Please take note also the number of students who took the exam and the consistency of the schools’ rating per exam.

It was on the year 2007 that many nursing schools sprouted like mushrooms. No succeeding ratings can be seen after that. I hope they will stop operating or producing more failing students. I have been hearing stories from old people that the nursing licensure exam was the easiest exam before. It was not even the talk of the town. But, why does it have a low passing rate now? If I were to answer, it is because of these schools are not providing the quality education and facilities that the nursing students need. And these students solely depend on their school not doing their part on studying because they think that the education they have gained is enough. Close down all the poor performing schools and the passing rate would reach 75% or higher.

It was years back during the 1980s or 1990s that the country are producing top caliber nurses with great skills on a par with other nurses internationally. Moreover, their nursing foundation and clinical experience were intensive. The reputation of nurses and nursing schools in the country are now degrading and will continue if proper steps are not taken.

Please take note that the PDF file attached is not officially released by any nursing body in the Philippines. I have compiled the ratings based on the published results of examinations online. I hope this will serve as a reference for those who are planning to enroll to a nursing school in the PI. It will also be my reference for my own purposes.

Click here: Performance of Nursing Schools (pdf file)

Center for Excellence in Nursing Education

CENE

Head Office: 2nd Floor, Consuelo Building
929 N. Reyes St. (formerly Morayta) Sampaloc, Manila
(02) 734564, 7345366

San Pablo City Office: 137 Colago Ave. San Pablo City
(049) 5030267
Website: www.cene.ph
E-mail: cenereview@yahoo.com

I am not affiliated with CENE nor posting this to make money. I want every nursing students to experience the nursing education they should be getting which their school did not provide. It has been licensed by CHED as Review Center, Series of 2008. Everything CENE can offer are written in the photos/pamphlets. Just click it for a larger view.

Say "NO!" to LPN programs in Philippines

PNA vs institutionalizing practical nursing program

By Katherine Evangelista INQUIRER.net First Posted 20:14:00 06/18/2008 MANILA, Philippines —

The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) on Wednesday declared its opposition to the proposal of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to “ladderize” the nursing curriculum to institutionalize the practical nursing course Wednesday.

Read the full story: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/new…ursing-program

If I could scream on my top of the lungs, saying no to LPN programs, I would, over and over until all Filipinos will realize. Here's why:

LPN Programs in the Philippines does not work like in the US. If you have completed your LPN education here then you are probably one of the victims of scam and false advertisement of LPN programs in PI. The people behind these LPN schools or programs will guarantee that you can work in the US or abroad after completion of the said program. They will entice you to enroll to their 6 to 12 months program or more at the same time gaining enough pesos in their pockets while you are hoping for your American dream. Fact is, there is no legal visa as a LPN in the US unless you are a green card holder or a US citizen. It’s a good thing that the PNA is opposing the CHEd to ladderize the said program. Moreover, there are not enough jobs for LPNs. It is not even recognize by the PRC; there is no local license to give out. Thus, ending up as nursing aide or nursing assistant.

Do not solely rely in our government, they are entirely aware of what is happening in the nursing profession although acting deaf and blind. They just let things happen for their own sake and not for the good of their countrymen. Let us not be fooled. If you know someone currently enrolled in these programs, let them read the news. Please spread the word.

Drugs Reference Online

When I was a student, I had a hard time searching for good resources of drugs online. These will be useful for your studies and will serve as reference also. I have listed them down for easier access and will update it as soon as I found better ones. The following links are:

1) Davis' Drug Guide
2) Mosby’s Drug Consult
3) Rx List
4) MIMS Philippines
5) Drug Reference Center

AllStudent Nurses Medical Trivia

I am inviting everyone especially student nurses and health care professionals to join AllStudentNurses Medical Trivia, an online trivia that tests your science, medical and nursing foundation. It has 10 new sets of questions everyday with multiple choices. Ranking are done at the end of the day and scores are accumulated for a month. You need to register for a few minutes in order to join the trivia. It’s fun! You can also chat with other players too. Let’s see if you still have those knowledge stored.

Click this link: AllStudentNurses Medical Trivia