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AUSTRALIA CHANGES RULES FOR NURSES!
The first step, is to know about the registration process in Australia, for Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Australia has brought about some changes to their former registration process, for nurses aspiring to work in the splendid ‘Down Under!’
Go ahead and dig right into the article to find out what those rule changes are!
A land of diversity and warmth, the ‘Down Under’ or Australia is a paradise of opportunities to people from all over the world. Interestingly, with its excellent Healthcare system, ‘nursing’ is one of the important professions that complete Australia’s workforce. The scope for Nursing profession in Australia is huge and once the doors to Australia reopen after the COVID-19 situation, there will be a higher scope of more opportunities for nurses to go to Australia.
So nurses, here are the certain things that you need to pay attention to;
Australia’s Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia [NMBA] has recently changed their rules for internationally qualified registered nurses and it is important to make a clear note of it. Previously, nurses from overseas, had to undergo a three-months long ‘Bridging Program’ in order to work as registered nurses in Australia and to apply for the permanent residence there. However, in March 2020, Australia’s Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia [NMBA] made a decision to adopt newer means of assessment instead of this former ‘Bridging Program’.
From ‘Bridging Program’ to ‘Outcomes Based Assessment’
Instead of attending the former three-months long Bridging Program, registered nurses from other countries would have to now take an Outcomes Based Assessment [OBA].
The Outcomes Based Assessment [OBA]
This is a two stage test, which includes both cognitive and behavioural assessments.
Stage one or the Cognitive assessment, is a computer-based multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ) exam. In order to attempt MCQ, the candidate has to undergo The National Council Licensure Examination [NCLEX-RN] test. Attending and clearing the cognitive assessment is important, because, without clearing this level of the assessment, the candidate cannot appear the behavioural assessment.
The next stage that follows after the candidate has passed the cognitive assessment is the ‘Behavioural Assessment.’ The behavioural assessment is in the form of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). It is an examination which is designed to assess the candidate’s ability to competently apply their professional nursing skills and knowledge in Australia.
After successfully clearing both these levels of Outcomes Based Assessment [OBA], candidates need to attend an orientation program which will help them understand how nurses and midwives must work in the Australian healthcare context.
Requirements Needed:
There are other requirements the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia [NMBA] considers for the registered nurses applying to register themselves for the Outcomes Based Assessment [OBA]. They are:
- The National Council Licensure Examination [NCLEX-RN]
- A minimum of Score 7.0 in the International English Language Testing System [IELTS] Examination or
- A minimum of ‘B’ score in the Occupational English Test [OET]
With these new changes in the rules for nurses, Australia is expecting to make things easier for those aspiring registered nurses overseas, wishing to go to their country. The new way of assessment is expected to guarantee an easier pathway for the nurses aspiring to go and work as registered nurses in Australia. Currently, Australia is closed to immigrants and aspirants dreaming of working there and once it reopens, one profession that is sure to receive more opportunities there, is definitely nursing!
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