If you have a penchant for looking after people and so happen to have nursing qualifications, then you’re in the right place. ALICE TERLIKOWSKI explains why.
Perhaps you came to Australia for the sun or maybe to escape the ultra-competitive job market at home, or maybe both? Either way, if you’re a nurse you’re going to be pleased to hear that over the next few months, you’re going to have the best of both worlds.
We’re not sure if it’s necessarily a good thing, as it means a lot of people are sick, but nurses are continually in demand around Australia, especially in capital cities, says Zoe Gibbs of Pulse Staffing Australia. “The major cities tend to have the biggest opportunities for casual nursing but we are also seeing increased demand in more rural areas,” she told us.
And to make matters even better, the registration process for travelling nurses has got easier. From July 1 of this year all of the state’s nursing boards merged into one, meaning nurses only have to register once to work anywhere in Australia. Previously, like teaching, you had to register in each state to work in it. Now one time’s a charm.
But just how easy is it to register? Even if it is only once? “Generally speaking, to register, a nurse will have to sit an English language test and have their original qualifications assessed,” Zoe says.And what about the all important pay? Zoe says depending on experience, a registered nurse can expect to earn up to $55 per hour before penalties.
Did someone say, “Cha-ching?”
A interview with a nurse
Sara Imanovic, 26, UK
How did you land your new job?
I had a few friends who had already come over here and got work through an agency so I figured that was the best option.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Getting to know different sorts of people and especially working with children is the highlight. They can make a bad day turn good really quickly.
And what’s not so great?
Working shift work!
