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.