Thinking about becoming a nurse to practice in Austrailia.?

Question

I am 40, and took the CNA course, 11 years ago, but only have a GED. Does it look good? We ( hubby and I) wish to have a change of pace, since we have lived in Virginia for the last 8 years. Should i just try for the RN course here in the States or should I try for Austrailia? I know about the 4 year college degree for BSN. I am quickly getting discouraged. help!! Plus, we don't wanna live where it is really crowded. A small town would be nice.... Help! oh, and serious,informed answers only, please.

Answer 1

Try http://www.gowestnow.wa.gov.au as the WA Health Dept is recruiting overseas at present. They paid for my aunt to go back to uni after twenty years away from nursing. There's a lot of employers doing likewise and also paying relocation expenses etc. It depends on supply and demand I suppose.

Answer 2

You can always look into an accelerated RN Diploma and those usually run you two years, but are consecutive 24 months. So there is no real break. If you get your RN in the USA you can still go to Australia and work there. You will have to probably take their licensure exam to be able to work there. I have looked into this also. I am in Canada and to get into the nursing program here I have to wait till 2010 to actually get into the accellerated program because it is in such a high demand here. There are plenty of places that are small towns that you can live and work in. I am trying to find a website I once had about working in Australia. If I do find it I will try and email it or put it in here for you.

Hope this helps a bit.

Answer 3

Kalgoorlie is great, 30,000 people but spread out. there is a great need of nurse here and hubby could take a job at the mines. It is not crowded.

Answer 4

to immigrate to Australia under the skilled worker program the cut of age is 40

you have to pass a points test to qualify

not alot of other ways to immigrate to Australia,you could apply for a student visa but you would have to pay all your tuition fees up front and be financially independent

http://www.immi.gov.au/immigration.htm