The nursing profession can open up a world of opportunities for you and can lead to an exciting and rewarding career. Professional nursing skills are highly sought after across the globe and there are myriad opportunities for skilled nurses in countries like Australia.
Nursing as a profession in Australia is highly respected and nurses not only get a generous salary package but also the comfort of good job security. Australia is a beautiful country with a wonderful lifestyle that is second to none. There is an increasing shortage of local nurses in Australia, and as a result many nurses who have undertaken their qualifying exams abroad are looking to migrate to Australia and practice in this country. Overseas qualified nurses are welcomed by the Government in order to reduce the growing deficit of qualified nurses in Australia.
The IRON Program for Nurses- earlier called the Registration Bridging Program – is a special bridging program for overseas qualified and registered nurses, designed to assist overseas nurses meet the minimum requirements of the Australian nursing board. It helps these nurses understand the local medical protocol and adapt to healthcare practices in Australia.
The IRON program content contains theory pertaining to the Australian health care system, professional nursing practice in Australia and clinical and laboratory competencies. Students are required to satisfactorily complete a number of assessment and clinical tasks. This course lays great emphasis on the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities of nurses who are practicing within the Australian healthcare industry. In addition, clinical placements must be undertaken at several venues, in order to get the actual experience of working in an Australian healthcare institute.
Having completed the IRON course, you will be confident enough to apply for work in different healthcare settings such as Aged Care, Acute Care, Care of the Disabled, and so on, depending on your preferred area of expertise and interest. If you have worked or studied in Australia you are in a good place to practice anywhere in the world, as Australian medical education is recognized globally and on par with the best in the world.
As a graduate of this program, you are eligible to apply for registration as a Division 1 Registered Nurse with the AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) as you will have met the requirements of the Australian nursing board. You will have attained the necessary levels of proficiency set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (ANMAC). You will also be qualified to work in leading hospitals in New Zealand as well.
For those who wish to study further, this course is a first step towards gaining higher qualifications in healthcare such as a Master’s Degree in Nursing.
IRON Courses for nurses are available at many leading healthcare institutes across Australia. An IRON Course in Australia is your gateway to an exciting and fulfilling profession abroad. So if you are a nurse who has qualified overseas, and are now wishing to make a professional career in Australia, do explore this pathway to making your dreams come true!
