Graduate Entry (Bachelor/Master of Nursing) - Advice

T_rex, at your suggestion, I searched your post and YES, you have posted in the wrong UNIVERSE...LOL. Sorry for taking a cheap shot at you....but it was funny whilst it lasted.

Whether you qualify for domestic fees, you will have to check with Unis. Your registration, post graduation is with AHPRA (Australian Health Professional Registration Authority...or something like that). You should not have any problems. They main bone of contention is that you must have completed your year 12 in English in a commonwealth country. But bear in mind AHPRA is in a mess and can interpret things on either side on the line.

You should have no problems getting into an graduate entry program..just show that you have worked as an Opto for all these years, I am in the same boat...my accounting degree expired so many years ago that it has more wrinkles than me!!!

Do choose a good Uni because post graduation and for someone without nursing experience...it can be a BIG uphill climb but a well recognized degree from a reputable Uni can make or break your entry. Once you have experience under your belt, you'll be able to move around easily. I plan to buy a caravan and hitch up for long hauls around the country doing contract nursing work whilst touring. So that i won;t bleed $$$ from my savings...LOL. Just a side note...because of the GFC, a lot of retiring nurses did not retire and many on part time started doing full time to supplement for partner's lost job. Due to this and an influx of overseas recruited nurses (happened as a lag between recruitment time and the falling of the GFC axe), positions for nurse nowadays are mainly for those with experience. So, whilst they say there's a shortage, they meant shortage of experience nurses. For a graduation student the process is as follows - 3 months before final graduation..you will be invited to submit an application to various government and private hospitals to join their graduate nurse program (GNP). This is usually the major port of call for graduating nurses. however as mentioned earlier, due to GFC and skill mix ratio, the number of GNP positions are very limited. All the more in major cities, where no body wants to leave the big lights and attractions to work in regional australia. Well don;t be surprised that there will be 1,000 students vying for 6 positions...remember there are also lots of graduating students from other Unis!!! So the numbers applying is mind boggling. There's disadvantages of going regional, your learning curve can be severely restricted but the odds of gaining employment is better. GNPs are important because >80% of placements are via this program..Its unusual to gain employment as an RN straight up without experience. Some hospitals have a policy that prohibits employing RN without at least 1 year experience...hence the chicken and egg situation for many. I am a product of those who DID NOT gain an offer for a GNP position. I got an offer because during clinical placements as a student I did well in that ward and made known my wish to return once I graduated. i also picked out some potentially fatal arrhythmia from a patient's ECG reading and that put in me good contention for post graduate employment....lucky me...lol.

I believe that in nursing, self directed learning can make a lot of difference in your personal growth. My area of specialty is in cardiac sciences...Ecg interpretation and etc etc. So often I see students who come into our ward for training, especially the ones in final placements...not thinking beyond medication orders or protocols. They don't query WHY!? So to stir them up, I always ask them...why is this patient on Metoprolol and another is on Sotalol (both beta Blockers)...and usually they give the generic answer which is partially correct but goes no where. Then I torture them to go back and do their homework. Many come back without an answer...very sad. Whilst both are beta blockers, sotalol is used primarily as an anti-arryhtmic medications for atrial fribillation which has nothing to do with it beta receptor blockade properties. However it can cause long QT which can potentiate fatal rhythms. Anyways..sorry for carrying on,.... I just love my work too much..sigh

Hey T-rex,

sorry i didn't see your post b4 today. You ask, "could you give me any helpful information or tips on how you sorted your application and your circumstances etc and if you've already started the course - your honest opinion on current experience and other info such as the vaccine/immunisation requirements - how long they take"

Look I can't add much by way of advice . Schizo seems to have a better grasp of the situation than I. Regarding the formal requirements , its best to just ring up the student advisor for the pre-registration programs. that currently is 9351 0523 tracy malloy. I spoke to her today to request a tour around the usyd nursing facilities , and she said she would be happy to oblige in a week or two.

my degree is more recent than yours and schizos (phd at usyd , chinese, 2008). that probably helped, but I'm sure schizo is right that your circumstances will prob land you an offer also. I also took care to write out a one page statement of intentions , which I appended to the app. i found this useful in clarifying my goals, not sure if they read it or not. my app was accepted within 48 hours, maybe thats normal these days. I start ithe program n Mar 2012.

good luck!