Opportunities for Overseas Nurses in Hospitals
There are 1291 hospitals in Australia, with 81,818 beds, 7.3 million patients and 24.3 million patient days
- The average stay in a hospital is therefore 3.3 days.
- Public hospitals account for 67% of the available beds, and private 33%.
- Private hospitals have a greater proportion of surgical patients than Public Hospitals, where medical patients predominate.
Public Hospitals
- The opportunities for overseas nurses in Public Hospitals are limited.
- Public Hospitals conduct their own recruiting programmes to reduce costs
- Staff turnover rate is in public hospitals, due to poor management, and limited training opportunities.
- Of the retired nurses who have returned to public hospitals in NSW, 35% have retired again due to stress and unsupportive management.
- There are significant opportunities in Mental Health where shortages are very high.
Private Hospitals
- Private Hospitals are keen to recruit overseas nurses
- In particular nurses from Asian countries such as the Philippines and India.
- There experience with nurses from these regions has been positive,
- They are keen to invest in extensive education and training for these nurses.
Experience Required
- The opportunities for overseas nurses in private hospitals are confined to primarily to specialist areas.
- Nurses applying for these careers need to be highly skilled and experienced.
- It is unlikely that anything less than 7 years experience will be accepted,
- This experience must be in the specialty area applied for, with a recognised accredited hospital.
Advantages of Private Hospitals
- Salaries paid are now approximately equal to Public Hospitals
- Management is supportive of overseas nurses
- Extensive Education and training is provided
- A broad range of patient conditions are treated
- The best opportunities are in ICU, Operating Theatre, and Orthopaedic areas.
- The most up to date equipment is utilised
- State of the art medical procedures and surgical techniques are practised
back to top