Lapsed paeds nursing registration (diploma) - best route?

[kstoatne]

Hi all, hubby and I are looking at moving to WA but because we are in our early 40s we need to get on with it. We are exploring different routes including his job, but I wondered if anyone had any information on nursing please.

I qualified as a paeds nurse in 2011 with a dipHE, and worked until 2013 when my registration lapsed (I got married and had children). 

I've looked on the aphra site and it says it recognises my qualification as a stream 1, but I'm not sure now if it will count? 

I've looked at return to practice courses and I can do one no problem. Does anyone know how much experience I'll need after, if my dipHE will be an issue, or anything else helpful please? Obv we are keen on the safest route to PR due to our ages.

Also does anyone have any suggestions for potential jobs in WA? I'd love to know what other options there are as I've only ever known the wards. 

Thanks

[Marisawright]

6 hours ago, kstoatne said:

Hi all, hubby and I are looking at moving to WA but because we are in our early 40s we need to get on with it.

If you're already in your 40s, you don't have time to mess around.  Book a paid consultation with a good agent.  They will be able to tell you which is the best route to get to Australia.  Try Suncoast Migration or Go Matilda.

You can get free consultations with some agents, but usually they are very high level and not applicable to your particular situation, so you're not much further forward. 

[RubyMonday]

On 17/11/2024 at 10:43, kstoatne said:

Hi all, hubby and I are looking at moving to WA but because we are in our early 40s we need to get on with it. We are exploring different routes including his job, but I wondered if anyone had any information on nursing please.

I qualified as a paeds nurse in 2011 with a dipHE, and worked until 2013 when my registration lapsed (I got married and had children). 

I've looked on the aphra site and it says it recognises my qualification as a stream 1, but I'm not sure now if it will count? 

I've looked at return to practice courses and I can do one no problem. Does anyone know how much experience I'll need after, if my dipHE will be an issue, or anything else helpful please? Obv we are keen on the safest route to PR due to our ages.

Also does anyone have any suggestions for potential jobs in WA? I'd love to know what other options there are as I've only ever known the wards. 

Thanks

I'm very surprised AHPRA put you in stream A with a diploma. Generally they don't accept it and nurses with a diploma have to go the NZ/Trans tasman route to get around it, maybe that's for regular diploma though and not DipHE. If they did genuinely accept it as stream A then you're very lucky and it will be much easier for you. For AHPRA and ANMAC you'll need at least 3 months full time equivilant work experience. For those two and immigration it will all need to be in the last 10 years so none of your previous work experience will count. To get an actual job in Australia they will generally want at least a years recent experience, in a hospital is preferable. If you do have to go the NZ route you'll need at least 2 years work experience. You will definitely need to do the return to practice course though since you'll need to have a current active registration in the UK when you apply. 

[kstoatne]

On 18/11/2024 at 05:06, RubyMonday said:

I'm very surprised AHPRA put you in stream A with a diploma. Generally they don't accept it and nurses with a diploma have to go the NZ/Trans tasman route to get around it, maybe that's for regular diploma though and not DipHE. If they did genuinely accept it as stream A then you're very lucky and it will be much easier for you. For AHPRA and ANMAC you'll need at least 3 months full time equivilant work experience. For those two and immigration it will all need to be in the last 10 years so none of your previous work experience will count. To get an actual job in Australia they will generally want at least a years recent experience, in a hospital is preferable. If you do have to go the NZ route you'll need at least 2 years work experience. You will definitely need to do the return to practice course though since you'll need to have a current active registration in the UK when you apply. 

Thank you - I may quickly pay for that and secure it then! Do you have any idea if the three months return to practice hours would count as work experience? I'm really worried about running out of time of course.

[RubyMonday]

On 19/11/2024 at 17:04, kstoatne said:

Thank you - I may quickly pay for that and secure it then! Do you have any idea if the three months return to practice hours would count as work experience? I'm really worried about running out of time of course.

I don't think so no. Generally work experience has to be post qualification/reigstration, anything prior won't count. For the skills assessment among the other things you'll need an employer reference to confirm your experience working as a registered nurse in full scope, independent etc. Also even if it's not mentioned that you were a RtP student during the reference ANMAC will probably note that the experience was prior to your registration. Unless you lie on the reference/dates but I defintiely don't recommend that. Also really consider getting the years experience post registration. I don't know where you want to work but with under a year's recent experience it will be hard. Agencies are unlikley to take you and you'll have less than an Australian nurse who's completed their grad year. The nursing shortage in Australia is for experienced nurses mostly in regional/rural areas. They've got plenty of new grads who are struggling to find work in major metro areas, there is also more agism in Australia as well when it comes to hiring. Unless you can live off your partners income I'd be wary if I was you in emmigrating knowing that there's a chance you might not easily find work. I'd recommend doing everything you can to make yourself more employable while you're still in the UK. Plus gaining confidence back in a familiar environment, many things are quite different over here.  

[HughD]

I suggest contacting an agency such as Alliance Nursing. They are actively recruiting migrants for nursing jobs and are very helpful at answering questions.