Australian Police Clearance

Hey everyone!

This is where you go for the Australian Police Clearance

It is super easy! I know it might look a bit daunting, but Just take your time and read through it slowly. It is actually very simple!!!

I am done with all my theory classes. I will be starting on Monday with my clinical placement. I am a bit nervous but what can you do...I'll take it day by day. :)

I know....its been months! Sorry

Lets fast forward and get to where I am now...

I finally got accepted for the bridging course, I arrived in Australia on 25 Feb 2016, ready to start the course on the Monday (29 Feb). On the Saturday ( 27 Feb) I went to the doctor, paid $80, to get a script for the Varicella immunization ($110 each. 2 is needed) which I had to get. I got my first shot on the 27th. 

29th Feb

I started the EPIQ-RTR course at the Australian College of Nursing. As far as I know, they are the only institution in Sydney that is approved by AHPRA to facilitate the bridging course. We were about 25 Students in the class, many from India and Philippines. I was the only South African student, but there were one or two South African Lecturers. :)

The Course consist of 5 Theory weeks, for which you have to attend class from Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 at the Parramatta campus , and 6 weeks of Placement in a clinical setting. (Hospital, aged care, palliative care, etc) They usually tell you after the 1st week of theory where you will be placed. You have to have all your documentation ready for them to check before you go to placement. You also have to hand in 2 copies on each document. See list below for documents:

1. Proof of immunization 
2. Proof that you don't have TB
3. Australian Police clearance
4. South African Police clearance 
5. (If you don't understand what exactly is needed,Don't worry! You will have a better understanding of what you will need when you go through the course application form. NOTHING IN AUS IS A SECRET!! THEY SPECIFY EVERYTHING VERY CLEARLY!) 

Things to note for the course:

• You will need to have access to a computer and stable internet, seeing that 60% of the theoretical evaluation happens online. The college has an online system and you submit all your assignments via this online system. You will also be required to do online tests.
• They are very strict and you have to attend ALL the classes, and ALL the placement dates.
• They are also very strict when it comes to deadlines.
• The assume you know all RN related stuff. They are not going to teach you how to manage an illness or manage a problem. They assume you know that.
• Some of the techniques are different, cause they are more advanced and have better resources. (e.g No Needles used to mix IV meds, Medication vending machines, which are linked to an ID band for each patient, in the hospitals etc)
• NO you will not be allowed to draw blood, insert an IV, insert a NG or any other invasive procedures. In order to do these specific procedures, you will have to get certified. You can usually arrange that with the hospital you for. They are very pro professional development, and are therefor required to obtain atleast 30 CPD points per year...Yes APHRA audits you.. :) THIS IS NOT SANC, THEY ARE ONTOP OF THINGS HERE...
• You will work as a student nurse for the 6 weeks.
• After your course it takes about 6 weeks for the Australian College of Nursing to send your documentation through to AHPRA. 
• Once you have completed the course, you can immediately apply for PR, which I have been told take 2-3 months to register. :)

18 March (Friday)
I Noticed that I have all these pimples all over my face. I was so irritated, have never struggled with my skin like this before, not even as a teenager. I also didn't feel that great either and for some reason my Lymph nodes around my head and neck are so swollen... Saturday, after taking many Panadols, The light bold went on...I was not going through puberty again...I had Chickenpox!!!! Yup, I got chickenpox as a result of the immunization. I started crying immediately cause I just knew what was about to happen. I got dressed, went to the doctor, paid another $80. She looked at me, NOTHING ELSE, and said: yes you have chickenpox, I will give you a letter.  Booked of for two weeks!!! I came home and notified the college. The college said they will refund me 50% or I had to wait for the next group to start so that I can complete my course with them. :(  You can not imagine the tears!!! I was so upset. After the two weeks, I had to have bloods drawn to show that I have varicella antibodies...another $120

Well to make a looooonnnggg story short. It is now 6 May, and I am starting my classes again 9 may which is this coming monday. I have been off since 19 March, sitting at home, sometimes feeling very sorry for myself..hahaahaha..think its normal.. I have however explored Sydney a bit, but as you can imagine, my budget is quite limited. I have to complete only the sessions that I have missed and then move on to my Clinical placement. I am starting my Clinical placement on 23 May at Westmead hospital.

A few things about Aus:

• USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT!!! IT IS AWESOME!! Get an transport app on your phone ASAP. It tells you exactly how to use all the transport and all the times. I only took the wrong train once, and that was when my mobile phone's battery died. Because I am in Sydney, I am using TripView Lite. It works so well...real lifesaver! 
• Things are super expensive, but when you have PR, they really go out of their way to make things cheaper and better for you...and of course...if you earn in $$$.
•  I got really homesick in the beginning, and still miss everything and everyone in SA so much, but it gets better. I think the key is to make AUS your home. Make your house pretty, find out where stuff is, find out which brands you prefer, make friends (Not only people that is originally from SA). I made so many friends in the previous group, and I will definitely keep in contact with them. 
• Australia is so big, I still struggle with my perception of space.

Well for now thats it. Will update again in a week or so. :)

Cheers