So you've decided that becoming an agency nurse or midwife in Australia is your next exciting career move. But you are now wondering how exactly this process works, along with completing the paperwork requiring your attention. This article walks you through the steps involved to become “work ready” with NNA and describes the potential pitfalls commonly seen in this process.
We understand that every registered nurse (RN), registered midwife (RM), enrolled nurse (EN) and assistant in nursing (AIN) has unique needs and challenges which is why the team at NNA are here to guide you through the entire process, no matter your skill set.
Before applying for a role
Before you take any action, we recommend you review the NNA job board and / or registration form and determine the job/s that suit your skill set, education and preferred location within Sydney. The type of work NNA can source for you is not limited to;
- Recovery Nurse
- Scrubs Scout
- Midwifery
- Intensive / Critical Care Nurse
- Emergency Nurse
- Paediatric Nurse
- Mental Health Nurse
- Surgical / Medical Nurse
- Aged Care Nurse
- Educators & Facilitators
- And many more
Within each job listing, you’ll see a “what you will need” section. This is the key information required from you in order to submit a complete application. But let’s get into these requirements in a little more detail.
Essential Documentation - Standard Requirements
Though the documentation does vary between healthcare professions, there are standard requirements necessary regardless of your level of education when applying for a nursing agency role. These include;
- Current AHPRA registration
- Current criminal record check
- This can be easily applied for via the NSW Government website or Clear-to-Work website.
- Current Working with Children Check.
- This is valid for 5 years unless surrendered or revoked. If you need to apply for a new card or to renew your current one, click here.
- Full immunisation history
- Check your immunisation history on the Australian Government website via the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and obtain the records requested
- Excellent organisational skills
- High levels of professionalism, confidentiality and discretion
- Ability to work well independently or in a team
- Commitment to quality patient care
- Resilience and stamina
- Updated resume with two professional referees. Keep the following in mind when updating your curriculum vitae (CV)
- Two-three pages only with clear structure and organisation
- Your contact details are correct and clear (name, phone number, email address, address)
- Demonstration of recent work and education history
- Evidence of any awards, scholarships and volunteer work
- Highlight any relevant courses, competencies and professional development hours undertaken including dates (supplying certificates where possible)
- Upload all supporting documents and resume in PDF format
- For international nurses and midwives, you must also have working rights in Australia that is clearly documented within your visa paperwork.
Education and Experience - Position Specific
Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Midwives (RMs) (Australian Citizens):
- Education: Completed Nursing Degree at University
- Experience: Over 12 months experience in a clinical hospital setting
- Graduate nurses: If you are new to the profession and have been nursing for less than one year and would like to work in hospitals, the Australian Healthcare Academy (AHA) can assist. They offer extensive training opportunities for new graduates to build confidence, develop skills and teach graduates about the important role as the bedside nurse. Please contact the AHA on 1300953276 or visit their website here for more information.
Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Midwives (RMs) (Nurses with Visa):
- Education: Completed Nursing Degree at University / oversees and skill equivalent
- Over 12 months experience in a clinical hospital setting
· Must have working rights in Australia as documented on your visa
Enrolled Nurse (EN):
- Education: 18 month or 2-year VET qualification to obtain a diploma in enrolled nursing
- Experience: Clinical ENS require at least 12 months of experience
Assistant in Nursing (AIN):
- Education: Completed a qualification in Health Assistance. Certificate III is the minimum qualification level and includes work placement consisting of around 120 hours or complete a qualification in Health Assistance, including the mandatory 120 hours of work placement training.
- Experience: 120 hours of work placement must be completed.
How to Get Started
After you’ve completed the above documentation it’s now time to explore the amazing opportunities NNA has waiting for you. There are three options for you to take for your next step -
- You can register your interest with us
- Head to our job board and apply for a specific role
- Get in contact with us
Once you have applied, you can expect an email from us to thank you for your application. NNA will then be in touch if your application has progressed through to the next stage.
While the application process can take some time, ensuring that you complete each step and have the correct documentation will speed up the application time. This means you can start work sooner rather than later.
Here at NNA we would love to welcome you into our nursing agency, so please check out the many opportunities presented on our job board and see where our this passionate recruitment team could take you.
