I AM REGISTERED!!!!!

After almost 20 months of hard work, severe stress, sweat & tears...and a bit of fun (While in Aus), I am finally a Registered Nurse in Australia. I was super happy and relaxed for about 30min till I started stressing again about my immigration process, and what had to be done for my skills assessment by ANMAC. Later more about that..

On the previous post, I was complaining about the fact that I had to go back to AUS for a day or 2 to identify myself. A few days after I posted that, I received an email from AHPRA, which nearly gave me a small heart attack. My case officer informed me that I have to submit proof of identity from category A, B, C, and D (You'll understand these categories when you refer to the application form.) She said that because I did the course in Aus, they will not be able to process my case as an international applicant. I think this might have been a mistake on their side because who qualifies then as an international applicant...There isn't an alternative to doing the course in Aus. Anycase...I freaked out, then I got going again. Luckily I opened a bank account while in Aus, so that worked for my category C&D (Proof of residence). For category A, I had to submit my passport with a valid Aus visa. By the time I received the email from my case officer, my visa had already expired. I decided to write a letter to them, to explain that I didn't stay in Aus yet, and that my visa was valid when I originally submitted my registration application. For Category B, I was able to submit a copy of my ACN student card (Thank goodness I hanged on to it!!!) I submitted all of these...fingers crossed...and waited! I was waking up every night to see if they have sent an email yet, requesting more info...OR WORSE...CANCELING MY APPLICATION (I had a deadline for 29 Aug to submit all documentation in the correct way)..but the finally on the 7th of Sep, I received an email. I was registered as an RN! Whoohooo!!!

 I have submitted my application to ANMAC today.

Steps to ANMAC application after being registered in Aus as an RN.

1. Apply online. (They will send you an application form already filled, which will act as a covering letter for your application) You will have to pay before they send you the application form. R4600
2. Print application form, and sign in front of witness (Commissioner of Oath, etc...), also attached a passport photo signed by your witness.
3. Submit certified colour copies of: Identification (Passport and marriage certificate), ALL tertiary qualification certificate & academic transcript, Service Certificates, Current registration certificates (NMBA and SANC)
4. Arrange for a certificate of goodstanding to be sent to ANMAC from NMBA and SANC
5. DHL

So that is what I've been up to. I sent all the documents today. Now I have to wait again.

Cool! thats it from me...for today! :-)

Rolling with the punches!

I returned back from Australia on 5 July. After completing my bridging course, there were only a few thing left for me to do, in order to be registered as an RN, and finally be able to apply for PR.

I am still waiting for the college to send the completion certificate to AHPRA (They should send it in the week of 22 AUG) Once AHPRA have received the certificate, they can register me when I send in an application to be registered.


My original plan was to wait till I had my certificate from n hand,but then decided to speed things up by applying, whilst ACN is still preparing the certificate. So I had to send in a few things from here for the application. See following:

• AGBP-40 form (found online the AHPRA website)
• Certificate of good standing from SANC (Sent directly from SANC - Cost R1600, time: takes 6-8 weeks)
• Notarized and apostilled copy of IELTS results
• A new Fit2Work criminal record check. (Online, Cost -R1800)
• Proof of Identity (notarized and apostilled copy of my passport, and because I marriage certificate.)
• Pay application and registration fee of  AUD $300 (R 3400)

Total:  R6800 + R540 (DHL to send everything) =R7340

I thought that was done. I thought all I had to do was wait for AHPRA to receive my certificate of good standing and the certificate of course completion from ACN, till I can be registered...

 I WAS VERY MUCH MISTAKEN!!!!!!!!  

If you read the proof of Identity document on the AHPRA website (See above) carefully you will see the following words:

" Applying for registration from outside of Australia 

 If you are an overseas applicant and are unable to provide evidence from each category, you must meet the minimum identity requirements below: • a certified copy of a passport (an EU card is not acceptable), and • if you have ever been formally known by another name, or if your documents provided in support of your application are in another name, you must provide a certified copy of evidence of a change in name. See Evidence for a change of name or name variation. If you have met the minimum identity requirements and have submitted a complete application (all supporting documentation provided and declarations made), your application will be assessed and you will be advised whether you are eligible for registration. "

So this is still all good...So this is where the problem comes in...

"Overseas applicants eligible for registration who only provide the minimum identity requirements must present in person at an AHPRA office before registration will be granted.
Presentation is to be within the specified timeframe as advised in the notice of in-principle approval and with the following evidence: If you arrived in Australia within the previous six weeks:

 • current Australian visa and proof of date of arrival (e.g. entry stamp, boarding pass or itinerary documents) 

plus: – evidence of your current Australian residential address; 

or

an original signed statement from a prospective Australian employer/sponsor verifying your identity; or

an original offer of Australian employment. 

If you arrived in Australia more than six weeks before presenting at an AHPRA office or you are unable to demonstrate that you arrived in Australia within the previous six weeks: • evidence that meets the requirements in categories A, B, C and D."

 Now you might think to yourself..why is that a problem? Well... I just returned from Australia 3 weeks ago. Which means I have to fly back to Australia for 1-2 days, just to present myself in person at an AHPRA office, and fly back once I'm done. This was such an unexpected shock, it was the reason I spent most of yesterday in tears. The thing that makes it worse is the fact that I haven't seen my husband since 12 January 2016 and he will only be coming home on 24 January 2016. So just the thought of leaving him again, even if it is just for 4-5 days makes me sick. I AM NOT A HAPPY GIRL! Anycase...like my mother-in-law always says when faced with a bad situation..."What to do?" :)

I did the course in Sydney, but I am going to try to present myself at the AHPRA office in Preth as it will be much closer and quicker. I will see if I can find accommodation for those 1-3 days that I'm going to be there. I don't know  yet when exactly it will be, so I am waiting for them to let me know.

My situation does not allow for it to be different, but my advice to you is: IF YOU ARE GOING OVER TO DO THE COURSE, TRY AND EXTEND YOUR VISA SO THAT YOU CAN GET ALL THESE UNEXPECTED THINGS DONE. IT IS ALSO BETTER TO APPLY FOR YOUR PR FROM AUS. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WHO APPLIED FOR PR AFTER THE COURSE WHILE THEY ARE IN AUS, AND IT TAKES A FEW DAYS TO GO THROUGH. 

SO TRY AND DO THE COURSE, APPLY FOR REGISTRATION, AND THEN APPLY FOR PR WHILE YOU ARE THERE. AL TOGETHER IT SHOULD TAKE YOU AROUND 6-7 MONTHS.

Well thats all.

Hope you will learn from my process! That is after all why I am writing this blog. 

Cheers

Rene

 

Say Chhheeeeessseeeeee..!!

First stop was Singapore. Had a wonderful time with great friends! Food was amazing!!

Then Australia...

  

Angel's place Sydney

City, Sydney

Darling harbour, Sydney

My friend Casper came to visit us in Sydney. He is from Singapore

At The Grounds

Cool wall art/sign at The Ground

Biltong at R1200/kg

Very cold morning in the train...on my way to work

My beautiful sister and I at the Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains

Inside the hospital where I worked

Hospital where I worked

Cronulla beach

Cronulla beach

Another Super cold morning... waiting for the train at 4:50am

Hospital where I worked

My student card

Another super cold morning before work

The building where I did the theoretical part of my course (Australia College of Nursing)

Australia College of Nursing: Kitchen

Yowie bay: Where I stayed

Yowie bay: 100m from where I stayed

Yowie bay

At another beach

At the beach with my sister and my niece

Cronulla

South African Section in AGI supermarket 

South African Section in AGI supermarket. Its expensive because its imported products. :)

At the train station on a rainy day

Chickenpox...still contagious...NOT HAPPY AT ALL!!!

Scars still bad...uuuggghhh!!!

New town...one of my favourite places!!! Also where coldplay's "sky full of stars" video was shot

New Town

New Town

My beautiful sister Michelle

Yummy food at New Town

New town

New Town

Best doughnuts ever..also in New Town

Best doughnuts ever..also in New Town

Geocaching with my nieces

Lunch with some of my class mates

Breakfast at Bondi Beach with Michelle

Bondi Beach

Loved these dumplings...they were crazy good!

Lunch with Michelle at Jamie Oliver's restaurant in the city

Lunch with Michelle at Jamie Oliver's restaurant in the city

Kevin Bacon at the Grounds

The Grounds

The Grounds

The Grounds

The Grounds

The Grounds

The Grounds

The Grounds

The Grounds

My niece Alex at Messina ice cream...real yummy Gelato

 Breakfast at LUXE

At train station

Most sinful lunch ever...yup thats pork crackling...

Scars faded a bit...yay!

Lindt cafe Miranda

Lindt cafe Miranda

Working out at Crunch gym.

Me at the train station just as the train was coming on

Circular quay Sydney

Circular quay Sydney

Circular quay Sydney

Circular quay Sydney

Circular quay Sydney

Circular quay to Darling harbour with the ferry

The Opera house from the ferry

The Opera house from the ferry

The Opera house from the ferry

Amusement park from the ferry

Sydney Harbour Bridge from the ferry

Cronulla Beach

Cronulla Beach

Cronulla Beach

Cronulla Beach

Another very cold morning before work...waiting for the next train at Redfern station

I baked these as a thank you gift for the unit where I did my placement. I worked in a Cardiothoracic unit.

It was a great experience!!!