Good job outlook, respectable pay, rewarding work… seems like nurses in Oz have it made. In fact by 2020, there will be an estimated shortage of 800,000 nurses. And with the population living longer, the career of nursing is starting to look more inviting. Even though it’s unlikely many nurses go into the business for the cash, those working in Australia on a Working Holiday visa could find themselves having more ching-ching than anything.”Nurses, if they work a 38-hour week, can earn in excess of $1,000 a week,” says St Judes operations manager Kelly Lamont. However, if you’re yet to drag yourself out of the sunshine and into the wards, there’s a few more things you need to know. First and foremost, you must register. It’s easy to do online, but you need to do it with the Nurses Board of every state you intend to work in. It can cause delays later if you don’t get it sorted straight away. To become a registered nurse in NSW, English tests are now required to better language and communication skills. Travelling nurses seem to have it best. “Travelling nurses get to see a different side to the cities and really become a part of the community,” says Kelly. Also vaccinations are a new qualification for NSW public hospitals. One of the great things about working as a nurse in Oz is the flexibility. “You can choose to work whichever shift you want. Some of our nurses only choose to work a couple of days a week, whilst other prefer block bookings to fund their travels,” says Kelly. Finally, if you want to stay in Australia, then nursing is a great way to get sponsored.
