Internationally Certified Nurses Are Anxious for Employment, But Certification is Too Difficult and Costly

Shirley Aguirre has over 12 years of experience as a nurse in Colombia.

She worked in the intensive care unit for seven years.

However, over the last two years, whilst Australia's health system has battled with the epidemic, she has been overcoming obstacles to become a licensed nurse.

She said that she can't work at a hospital since she doesn’t have the proper paperwork."

She gave all of this information, all of this background, all of these talents. Unfortunately, however, she can't put them to use.

Some Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQNs) may apply for registration online under Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) requirements.

However, since AHPRA does not recognise all credentials as "comparable qualifications," those nurses must sit the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) in Adelaide.

Ms Aguirre claims that when she arrived in Victoria in 2017, she was surprised to learn that there was only one venue in the nation where she could take the exam, and it would cost her $4,000 to do so.

Ms Aguirre and her husband flew to Adelaide to take the exam, which they failed twice.

According to an AHPRA representative, the evaluation for Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQNs) confirmed that Australian criteria were satisfied.

A spokesman said that  OSCE is done in-person in a clinical simulation setting to verify that internationally certified nurses can fulfil the quality of practice required in Australia.

This is a question of public safety, and it guarantees a thorough evidence-based evaluation of clinical competence.

Many people are unable to work.

More than 31,000 individuals have signed an online petition urging AHPRA and the federal Health Department to strengthen IQN certification.

Kabita Karki, the petition's originator, said that many individuals were dissatisfied with the procedure.

In a letter to change.org, she wrote that they have years of expertise in critical care and other crucial fields, yet we are useless, unable to operate due to a rigid licensing system.

Every day, they hear about nurses being overworked and hospitals being overburdened in hospitals around the country. It hurts us to sit back and watch when we might be out there assisting the community.

She added that most of them had our exams rescheduled two or three times due to border closures and lockdowns.

According to Ms Aguirre, the procedure was hard and costly.

That's strange to think about, particularly now, when so many people are admitted to hospitals in the ICU.

You're aware that they need the personnel. They need healthcare staff, but you are unable to work.

Ms Aguirre said that they are making it very tough. 

The government hires people from Europe.

Ms Aguirre was enraged when she learned that the federal government was importing 2,000 nurses and physicians from Europe to Australia to deal with the healthcare staffing problem.

Ms Aguirre said that she felt ridiculed by the fact that physicians from Europe are prioritised in terms of placements. 

Ms Aguirre inquired that if Australia needs nurses and healthcare professionals, why don't they make it simpler for them?

According to a Department of Health spokeswoman, the federal government is encouraging the relocation of 2,000 international health practitioners from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

A spokesman said that eligible practitioners are essentially registered to work in Australia, have confirmed employment and relevant work permits (or are Australian nationals), and will be able to begin working in the health system immediately upon arrival.

Instead, when asked whether the government could expedite the certification process for internationally certified nurses residing in Australia, the department said it was seeking health professionals, students, and others with credentials to help in COVID-19-related activities.

IQNs who desire to work whilst waiting for OSCEs to resume are invited to inquire about these options with their respective health department.

According to AHPRA, it is an essential element of the Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia's job to guarantee that all registered nurses and midwives in Australia satisfy the Australian public’s level of training and qualification.

Ms Aguirre's next OSCE is scheduled for February.