We recently interviewed Healthcare Australia (HCA) Nurse Brandi, an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse from Vancouver, Canada. Brandi talks about her life as an Agency Nurse, working with Healthcare Australia, her typical working day and why she loves working in Australia.

HCA: How did you find the process of moving to Nurse in Australia?

Brandi: The registration process was very easy. I just had to mail my school syllabus and identification to AHPRA, the Australian Medical Board. Once I was granted registration, I had to present to AHPRA with my ID when I arrived in Australia to become fully registered. There are plenty of Nursing opportunities in Australia, so finding work wasn’t difficult.

HCA: How have you found working with HCA as an agency Nurse in Australia?

Brandi: It has been great! HCA is caring and supportive of their Nurses and there are many shifts available. They offer free Basic Life Support and Manual Handling Training in addition to eLearning, so you can keep up with your CPD points which are mandatory for your AHPRA registration. I also appreciate the events and night outs they have for the Nurses, it’s always a bit of fun. It makes you feel like you are part of a team and gives you a chance to meet and socialise with other Nurses. It’s great when you’re an international Nurse who doesn’t know many people.

HCA: How have you found adjusting to Nursing in Australia? Is it similar to the work you did in Canada?

Brandi: Yes, Nursing in Australia is similar to what I was doing before. However, certain processes and procedures are different. For example, I was not able to give IV meds in Canada and I can do that here. Also in Canada, I could give S8 and S4 meds on my own without having to double-check with a Registered Nurse (RN). You can always ask an Educator In-Charge Nurse if you’re not sure of something.

HCA: Can you tell us a little bit about the department you work in?

Brandi: I work in several different departments, but I do spend a lot of time on the surgical ward. The patients are normally Gynae, Ortho, ENT or Urology patients.

HCA: What’s a typical working day like for you?

Brandi: My day always starts with the handover, there are times when I may not get handover because none of my allocated patients has returned to the ward. After the handover, I read their charts and organise a schedule, so I know when observations and medications are due. I make sure the patient is stable, their dressings are dry and intact and I check any IV lines or drains the patient may have.

Depending on the time of day I work my routine could be different. In the mornings, I help the patients shower and make their beds, in the evening I will help the patients settle for bed and most overnight patients are back from theatres, so I perform regular checks and make sure all their paperwork is in order.

HCA: How has Nursing in Australia developed your skills and experience as a Nurse?

Brandi: It has been a great learning experience. I have had the opportunity to work in many different areas of Nursing and it has made me more of a well-rounded Nurse.

HCA: Why do you love working in Australia and doing agency work?

Brandi: Australia is beautiful. The beaches are great and so is the weather. There is nothing to complain about and working with an agency is great because you can choose when and where you want to work. You don’t get that flexibility anywhere else. If you’re a Nurse looking to come over to Australia, don’t hesitate, you will not regret it. There is a lot of support and job opportunities.

If you loved this article and want to hear more. Check out the interview with Meg, our American Nurse who moved to Australia, read more here.

If you are considering working in Australia like Brandi and Meg, register your interest or contact the New Zealand office on [email protected]if you’re in New Zealand, US, Canada, Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. Alternatively, contact the UK office on [email protected] if you’re in the UK, Ireland, Europe, Africa or the Middle East.