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Nurse Practitioners


Antigone

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Nurse practitioners have completed 18 months post graduate np masters in aus and can prescribe medication. .they can have their own clinics and have alot of autonomy. .5 years nursing experience required first before masters can be started...that's in qld...salary starts at around $100, 000 pa...different in other states

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Hi Lorna, I have been looking at starting a masters in Queensland when I arrive with Griffiths University. When I start the course though I would only have 1 year and 3 months work experience. They said this would not be a problem? Could you explain the 5 year rule you mention? My uni in England is known as the forensic capital for mental health and we spend a lot of placements and theory specialising in this area. The module content for the masters I have seen does not seem too much different from what I am currently doing (although I understand the research element and self-teaching aspect will increase) and I felt that I should have enough experience and skills to do this. I will be (fingers crossed) working in a forensic position in the UK prior to emigrating. Im not thinking it would be easy but as I come to the end of my degree I am actually upset about not studying any longer. Have you any advice?

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The 5 years experience is just for the nurse practitioners course..not all masters...ive looked at doing a masters here too but much of what they cover is what uk mental health nurses already did in the degree so feel some of it would be a waste of time for the money I'd be paying!..Im interested in forensics too..im going to go back to the uk to do a masters I think..much better options..anyway I felt the same abt missing studying but you learn soooo much in your first year of nursing. ..and then sooo much again in your first year of nursing in aus that you need time just to let all that settle in your brain!..im glad I waited now and will probably look at starting study end of this year when i have 3 yrs experience

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Thanks Lorna, I feel more under pressure as I am 31 already and waited till this age to start my nursing career! I know on the grand scheme of things its not mega old, but I wish I had the time and the freedom. I know what I am capable of doing when I set my mind on things and I am hoping that the Australian masters will be a little bit easier than the UK masters (which coincidently I wouldn't have done for around 5 years)!

 

There doesn't seem to be many options in QLD though for masters courses in this area which is a shame.

 

However, my ideal dream would be getting to nurse practitioner level in the future so Ill look at the masters at some point after entering Oz. I think we have set September in our minds so I can achieve the full 12 months work experience.

 

How are you finding the job market in QLD at the moment? I am hoping with 12 months work experience in a low secure setting in the UK I should be able to achieve a job within a few months of landing??? I have been looking at Townsville though and don't know if that's a good or a bad thing, limiting my options!

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Yes masters will be easier here I think but also some of it a bit pointless for us (well the np one looks harder n u need to take a leadership role with it)..not a lot of options anywhere for post grad study for mh nurses in aus compared to uk...there is lots of jobs in regional areas likes townsville..I have interview there for a senior nurse position in acute inpatient next week but dont know if I will do it. .the limited accesss to things is wearing a bit thin now and I would prefer to be in a more metro area (nt as many jobs there)...and your partner may struggle to find wrk..depending on what he does as only certain jobs here n they hire locals...but wth mh nursing they dnt care where u are from as cant get many local ppl to fill positions...qld health are good to wrk for. Im 33 in june..still young in our careers.

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Never seen a Nurse Practitiioner here in Victoria, guess diabetic educators might fit the bill but with our health system patients can pick and choose their own treatment so not sure how they fit into the theme of things here. Also as the doctors are self employed and paid by procedure and attendances they seem to do everything. The practice nurses where I go have to wait for the doctor to check things before doing anything, guess that is because both get paid that way.

 

I know the gov would like them here but I cannot see where they will fit really.

 

I know nurses who have done masters etc but they have a lot of experience in the Aussie health system and then they get to teach at uni and stuff like that. Also who you know at some levels.

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The NP course also costs about $15 000! I've considered it but holding off for now

@Petals that's why I've left practice nursing! So frustrating but as you say it's how Medicare is set up!

 

There are a lot of scholarships available from various different sources..thats how Im doing my course...costs around $22k but Im fully funded through ACN

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Information on the QLD Health webpage - also look at the FAQ part.

 

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/nmoq/nurse-practitioner/

 

Info on QLD universities

 

http://www.uq.edu.au/study/program.html?acad_prog=5383

 

http://www.qut.edu.au/study/courses/master-of-nursing-science-nurse-practitioner

 

Scholarships are available, plus QLD health sponsors placements during training. QLD health seems to be the biggest sponsor of student placements but I have no doubt the private sector is catching on.

 

Love our nurse practitioners - so knowledgeable and autonomous in practice.

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