DipHe in Nursing does it allow me to register as a nurse in Oz?

**nursetobe** · 15-05-2012, 12:47 PM

Hi everyone!

I found this site and it looks like a pool of knowledge! So I was hoping you could help me! I'm doing an Adult Nursing Diploma of Higher education at the university of surrey I am just about to finish my second year and I have a partner and a little boy who is 14 months. We want to move to Western Oz as some of my family live there and we ideally want to move as soon as I qualify (no pressure! lol) Anyway.... I have not been able to find any really conclusive evidence as to whether my diploma entitles me to practice as a registered nurse in Oz? I read something about enrolled nurses having diplomas and registered nurses needing degrees. So would my diploma only entitle me to work as enrolled nurse rather than a registered nurse? Also I read something about graduate programs in Western Oz and wondered upon qualifying whether I could apply for one of these? I read that lots of students particularly from the UK do this, or would I need to work for say a year after qualifying and then apply for residency in Australia? Any experience or advice would be great!!!

Thanks

Kirsty :) x

**yorkcath** · 15-05-2012, 12:54 PM

Hi Kirsty,
I applied last March and I qualified in 1990 which was pre project 2000 so I only had a certificate in nursing. Thankfully I had a level 2 leg ulcer management (3 month) course which was the only diploma level certifiacte I had. They accepted this and I think they take experince into account too.
Best of luck,
Cath x

**nicola c** · 15-05-2012, 01:02 PM

You qualify as a registered nurse div 1. The only issue maybe experience. In Victoria ( can't comment on other states) after qualifying you would do a grad year. It's very competitive and generally if you don't get one most graduates end up on bank trying to get experience. The problem you would have is that hospitals offer grad posts generally to those studying at a uni affiliated with it. I'm not even sure you could do it without permanent or student residency as they have an educational component. I would look at hospitals you would like to work at and check out the careers section and look at a grad year application form to see if you would qualify.

**nicola c** · 15-05-2012, 01:04 PM

Btw I qualified in 2006 with a DipHe adult nursing and I'm a RN Div 1, no issues with my qualification just had to show uni transcript and grades

**nursetobe** · 17-05-2012, 08:18 PM

ah wicked thanks guys thats helpful :) just looking at grad positions now....xx

**miagalore** · 30-06-2012, 05:22 PM

Hi! I have posted before about this and I'm still confused. Been to Expo in Leeds today and WA Health had a stand there. I went with my boyfriend (both Nurses) I have a Diploma HE and he has a Bsc Nursing, I asked the lady if my Diploma would be accepted and she pulled a few faces and said the seeing as my Boyfriend has a Degree he could be the main applicant and I could be his dependent. This has peeved me a bit, not to offend my boyfriend I have 15 years experience (He has 11) Does that mean that if I applied it would be a no straight away? I have expereince in general med and gastroenterology, do IVs Venepuncture, Cannulation. They were saying there is a skills shortage. If I am going to end up as the equivilant of an Enrolled Nurse (no offence) then its not worth bothering. On the WA website it says I need a Degree. I am currently topping up my diploma to a Degree with the Open University (total 120 credits at level 3) haven't a clue if this would be accepted.
Any advice would be great.
Tara

**GilraenH** · 30-06-2012, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by miagalore

Hi! I have posted before about this and I'm still confused. Been to Expo in Leeds today and WA Health had a stand there. I went with my boyfriend (both Nurses) I have a Diploma HE and he has a Bsc Nursing, I asked the lady if my Diploma would be accepted and she pulled a few faces and said the seeing as my Boyfriend has a Degree he could be the main applicant and I could be his dependent. This has peeved me a bit, not to offend my boyfriend I have 15 years experience (He has 11) Does that mean that if I applied it would be a no straight away? I have expereince in general med and gastroenterology, do IVs Venepuncture, Cannulation. They were saying there is a skills shortage. If I am going to end up as the equivilant of an Enrolled Nurse (no offence) then its not worth bothering. On the WA website it says I need a Degree. I am currently topping up my diploma to a Degree with the Open University (total 120 credits at level 3) haven't a clue if this would be accepted.
Any advice would be great.
Tara

He may find it 'easier' to register with APHRA but a registered nurse is still that, with either a Diploma or BSc.

She is right about the visa and his degree giving more points though than a diploma.

Enrolled nurses have to do a special course in Australia before they can be enrolled nurses.

You should be fine. Good luck

**Delaneym** · 30-06-2012, 09:36 PM

I am a diploma nurse registered with ahpra and have a job and sponsorship and waiting on my medical next week to complete the 457 process. I also spoke to wa at an expo and as far as I can see it makes no difference and will be going to sydney ( fingers crossed i pass medical) as a clinical educator . If I can be any help with ahpra etc pm me x

**pinkandfluffy** · 01-07-2012, 08:50 PM

Hi
Im a Uk nurse with a diploma in adult nursing. I emailed to board of nursing in australia and they stated I would have to apply as enrolled nurse and if they felt I had what they wanted they would upgrade it to a registered nurse once they have processed my application.; Just wondering what other people have done and if this is what others have done?
Looking at going next summer/winter time so want to get the ball rolling asap. Have updated CV with all practice placements and theory modules documented. Also, how do you get your documentation certified who does this before you send it to australia as people have said about this?

Sophie

**Delaneym** · 01-07-2012, 08:55 PM

I have no idea why they have said this unless it is different for general nurse.. but i am a diploma mental health nurse took me 4 weeks to register with ahpra and I am registered as a mental health nurse RN there now.. if you want to pm me i can help you with all the documents i sent to register if this helps
marion x