Australia Bridge Program for nurses

[AryanK53]

Hi. This is my first time to post something so I hope I can get assistance from any of you. Im a nurse here and for two years now I've been attending a lot of seminars regarding visas consultancy either in Canada or Australia. My mom wants Canada since her relatives are there. But I want in Australia because my dad's relatives are there. One of my friend is already in Sydney through IDP. She also said that I should do the same however, problem with IDP is that it's very expensive because it's a university based plus it will take me two years to finish it. So I'm looking for something shorter, that's when I heard of the bridge program. They are usually 3 months then after you are a registered nurse now in australia. Just correct me If I'm wrong, there is no board exam in Australia for nurses right?

My question is, have you heard of VMC Visa Migration Consultancy? They assist in the bridging program for nurses and clinical placement after the program. How can I check if this one is legitimate? The tuition for the program is roughly 850k so I don't want our money go on to waste of this one is fraud.

Second question, who among you have undergone the bridge program? Is it better than a university for two years? Thanks

[dikonaalam]

Hi. Forget about consultancy firms / migration agents / or even IDP. most of us did it by ourselves.

The first thing that you need is an IELTS exam with band score of 7 on ALL sub-test.

Then, apply to AHPRA - Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. I provided the link below:

http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov...rnational.aspx

Gather all your documents (PRC License, CV, app forms, diploma, TOR, etc) and submit it to any AHPRA office.

Given that all your documents are complete, in 4-6months average, AHPRA will determine if you are eligible for RN registration or if you need to do a bridging program. Bridging programs last for 12 weeks. And the list of accredited providers are on the website. The tuition fee is about AU$10,000 on average. So the PhP 850,000 that the consultancy is asking you is waaaaaaaaaay to expensive.

There's a 1-year or 2-year RN conversion program. I'm not familiar with this. But a friend of mine is currently doing the 1-year conversion program. I believe it is for those without experience. But since you already have 2 years experience, you need not worry about this. The 12-week bridging program (BP) is suitable for you.


There's also this thread: There's probably hundreds of Filipino nurses discussing Australian RN registration here. It has tons of information, thru personal experiences of the members.


http://allnurses.com/international-n...no-501897.html

So save yourself a huge amount of money. Do it yourself because the process is pretty much straightforward.

Good Luck.

[AryanK53]

Thanks for the reply. I'm just scared of doing the process by my own because there's a lot of things I don't know. But the two links you have given me were both helpful. I just only need to study more the AHPRA then maybe I can do it on my own. Question again, you said that "AHPRA will determine if you are eligible for RN registration"- are there criterias needed to be met to be eligible?

[dikonaalam]

it is normal to be scared because a single mistake can delay your application. I know one that did not answer one question in the application and it was returned to her.

regarding the criteria, it is provided on the first link that I gave you. I think it's titled "Framework....International Nurses" or something.

Download the application form, the one for Overseas Nurses under "Forms" tab and you'll find that the instructions are easy and self-explanatory.

I applied for my AHPRA registration last August 2011 and I got my registration end of Feb. 2012. So if you still have some questions after reading the posts on the second link I gave you and on AHPRA website, just feel free to PM me.

[darkshark]

DIY...migration agent will only milk money from you..

just do your own research ..read..read.read....

[markpaul]

hi Dikonalam, are you currently in Australia now>?

[dikonaalam]

hi Dikonalam, are you currently in Australia now>?

No, I'm still in the US. But I already got my AHPRA approval letter.

[markpaul]

Is it true that applications for APHRA are faster in Perth compared to Melbourne? Anyone has an idea?

[dikonaalam]

For what I'm reading, WA (Perth) is relatively faster than most states. I'm guessing a 3-6 months wait. I applied in ACT (Canberra) and it took them 7 months. NSW (Sydney) and VIC (Melbourne), I think, receive the most applications so processing time may be affected.

[AryanK53]

Hi. I have already downloaded the form. It's the 9 pages right? I haven't read the whole AHPRa website, I might do *that this weekend. Hey, can I ask you from time to time as I go through the *application to the AHPRA? Like if there are questions not clear to me?

[dikonaalam]

It's a 10-page AGOS-40 form for overseas nurses.

Yeah, sure. I'll try to help as much as I can. But also try posting on that second link that I gave you. Members there can help you when it comes to bridging programs. AHPRA waived the bridging program requirements for me so I can't tell you anything about it (other than the very basics).

[AryanK53]

Wow. So when are you going there? Where in Australia? The forum was very helpful. I think there was this one forum-er who laid out step by step from the AHPRA registration down to the bridge program. So right now I'll accomplish the form first. Thank you very much. And by the way, your private messages has already maxed out I guess

[dikonaalam]

When? I'm not really sure because I still have a contract here in the US. Hopefully within this year. Where? Uhm, I'm a country boy so I really want a small city (like 30minutes to 1 hour to the nearest big city). But I know when I get there I need a reliable public transport so I'm trying to apply to big city hospitals.

Yeah, I noticed that. I already deleted some messages.

[markpaul]

How to apply for a Certificate of Good Standing sa PRC?

Diretso na ba sa PRC or may form pa?

[dikonaalam]

@markpaul

that I don't know. I did not take the local board so I didn't deal with PRC. Alam ko may form and it's on the website of AHPRA. But it's actually not applicable for overseas nurses. Because if you look at it, there are areas that we don't use in PRC, like division, specialty, etc. Same goes to my BON here. So I asked AHPRA about it, they told me to just ask my BON for a licensure verification that includes whatever information they can disclose (license type, expiry date, offences, etc.) So I guess you can ask PRC to send AHPRA the usual documents they send.

[AryanK53]

Thanks again! I'll private message you if I have another inquiry

[markpaul]

Kailangan pa ba ang high school diploma sa Aphra?

[abigs]

hello dikonaalam, did you submit IELTS, did you ever take it or is it waived since you worked in the US?

[dikonaalam]

abigs

when I applied (July 2011), AHPRA was still accepting applications even without IELTS if the applicant can send evidence that their nursing program was done using English. But yes, I took IELTS just to get it over with. Because it's needed for immigration anyways. And I thought I was gonna do a bridging program. BP schools require IELTS.

[abigs]

thanks dude. i guess i really need to take IELTS first.