A public health pandemic and a global crisis, COVID 19 has impacted every aspect of people’s lives. What we thought of as normal before the pandemic hit has now become potentially dangerous activities to conduct. From business, health, travel & tourism to education, all the sectors have been deeply affected by this epidemic.
One of the sectors gravely affected in Australia is international education. With the borders closed, aspiring international students are forced to put their Australian study dreams on hold. While many educational institutions have resorted to online study options, it is seemingly difficult for those undertaking courses with heavy practical studies included in the curriculum. Nursing education has been severely affected among the faculties, owing to the study components that need to be undertaken practically.
The most common question raised by international students at this time is “When will the border open?” the answer to which is uncertain, and only time can tell. The second question we hear often is, “What is the future for overseas nurses in Australia in such a situation?” The answer to this question is certain – Australia needs more nurses than ever. According to a report by Health Workforce Australia, there will be a shortage of over 100,000 nurses by 2025 and more than 123,000 nurses by 2030. The demand for nurses in critical care, midwifery, aged care and mental health is rapidly increasing. Australia heavily relies on overseas nurses to meet the demand, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting 33% of nurses in Australia are born overseas.
While aspiring international students wishing to undertake nursing courses are waiting for the borders to open, internally qualified nurses located overseas now have an excellent opportunity to prepare for and start their Australian Nursing Registration process. Yes, it may be hard to believe, but true!
Here’s how it is possible:
All internationally qualified nurses and midwives (IQNMS) must seek registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to be Registered Nurses in Australia. They need to undergo the Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA) process, which consists of two key exams, namely the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
The first exam that internationally qualified nurses need to undertake is the NCLEX-RN examination. This MCQ format computer-based exam is the cognitive assessment of IQNMS. The NCLEX-RN is delivered at dedicated Pearson VUE test centres in most countries around the world – you don’t need to be in Australia to give this test!
The second exam, OSCE, is a behavioural assessment that assesses whether IQNMSs demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and competence equivalent to Australian nurses. OSCE can be booked only after passing the NCLEX-RN exam and is currently held at Adelaide Health Simulation at the University of Adelaide.
While you need to come to Australia to attend your OSCE exam, you can utilise your time now to complete the steps leading to the OSCE test. The most crucial part is preparing for both the NCLEX-RN and OSCE examinations. If you are wondering how you can practice for these tests, don’t worry – we have you covered. We are running online preparatory classes to help you pass both exams in a single attempt. Even if you are not in Australia, you can take our online courses from anywhere in the world. Our courses are extensively designed to build your confidence and critical thinking skills to ace the examination.
As the world is trying to contain and recover from the crisis, new normals have emerged, making it easier for people to sustain their lives. One such new normal is taking online classes. We are not new to online class delivery systems. We have conducted multiple online courses with onshore and offshore students who have successfully cleared their NCLEX and OSCE examinations and are now in the process of getting their Australian Nursing registration.
With the global pandemic, the demand for nurses is increasing in Australia. The lockdown is not here to stay forever, and the Australian health sector is looking for more nurses to meet the rising demands. So, do not wait for the borders to open. Start your journey to becoming an Australian Registered Nurse with us today. Our aim is to help you achieve your goal in the shortest possible time. Let us guide you through the process and become a part of your Australian Nursing journey. If you would like to get in touch with us and learn more, just complete the below form, and we will connect with you.
