International Qualified Nurses Cross Recognition Program

The Cross-Recognition of Overseas Nurses in Australia: Enhancing Healthcare Diversity and Accessibility

For Australia's varied population to receive high-quality care, the country's healthcare system depends on the contributions of nurses from all over the world. The efficient operation of the healthcare system depends on alleviating the cross-recognition of foreign nurses' abilities and credentials. This article explores the process of cross-recognition of overseas nurses in Australia, with a specific focus on the Outcome Based Assessment and the cross-recognition process for nurses from different countries.

The Need for Overseas Nurses

Due to reasons such as an ageing population, rising demand for healthcare services, and the retirement of experienced nurses, Australia, like many other affluent countries, has a shortage of certified nurses. The capacity of nursing education programs in Australia may not be sufficient to produce an adequate number of graduates to meet the demand. Limited spots in nursing schools and a lack of qualified educators can contribute to the shortage of nurses.

To solve the shortage, recruiting abroad nurses has become critical. These nurses contribute to the Australian healthcare workforce unique skills, cultural variety, and international perspectives. Australia has a well-established migration program that allows skilled workers, including nurses, to migrate to the country. The government has recognized the importance of overseas nurses in addressing the healthcare workforce shortage and has implemented programs to facilitate their recruitment. To address the need for overseas nurses, Australia has established various pathways for internationally qualified nurses to work in the country. Additionally, there are nursing bridging programs and assessments conducted by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) to ensure that overseas nurses meet the required standards of practice in Australia.

It is important to note that while overseas nurses play a crucial role in addressing the nursing shortage, efforts should also be made to invest in nursing education and training within the country. This will help develop a sustainable nursing workforce and reduce reliance on overseas recruitment in the long term.

The Cross Recognition Process for International Qualified Nurses

There are various processes involved in the recognition of overseas nurses' degrees and experience in Australia. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is critical in reviewing and certifying the credentials of overseas nurses. The process normally includes an evaluation of educational qualifications, registration status in the home country, work experience, and English language competency. Internationally qualified nurses must complete an outcome-based assessment programme to evaluate their eligibility to work as registered nurses in the country. The evaluation programme strives to guarantee that internationally qualified nurses satisfy the required standards of nursing practise in Australia.

The Outcome Based Assessment for Internationally Qualified Nurses

In March 2020, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) replaced the previous bridging program pathway with an Outcomes Based Assessment (OBA) for Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives (IQNMs).

Under the OBA assessment, the eligible international nurses will have to undertake two examinations called NCLEX-RN and OSCE (Objective structured clinical examination) to attain the nursing registration in Australia.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBA) carries out the tasks provided under the National Law of Health Practitioner Regulation in each state and territory. The NMBA supervises nursing and midwifery practise in Australia, and one of its key functions is to protect the interest of the community. The NMBA accomplishes this through developing standards, norms, and recommendations that outline the conditions under which nurses and midwifery in Australia can practise correctly and safely. 

The following are included in the new assessment model:

The online Self-check for all IQNMs, an orientation programme for all IQNMs who are recommended to proceed with the assessment process, and an OBA for some IQNMs.

To obtain nursing registration in Australia, eligible international nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN and the OSCE (Objective structured clinical examination). OBA is a two-stage evaluation process:

Stage one: NCLEX-RN is a standardised test introduced by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to determine if a candidate is ready to be licensed as an entry-level nurse in Australia. This MCQ format computer-based exam is the cognitive assessment of internationally qualified nurses and midwives (IQNMS). NCLEX-RN is administered by the National Council State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) through Pearson VUE test centres. You must pass this test to move to the second stage of OBA – OSCE.

Stage two: The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a clinical examination intended to evaluate the knowledge, abilities, and competence of prospective medical professionals at the graduate-level nurse or midwife from an Australian NMBA-approved programme of study. Currently, this test is delivered at the Adelaide Health Simulation in Adelaide, South Australia.

You can apply for your nursing registration with AHPRA and NMBA once you pass the OSCE and NCLEX-RN stages of the OBA.

It's crucial to note that the standards and method of the outcome-based assessment programme may differ slightly depending on the nursing regulatory body and the state or territory in which the nurse plans to practise. It is suggested that internationally qualified nurses intending to work in Australia contact the relevant nursing regulatory organisation or ANMAC for the most up-to-date and accurate assessment programme information.

The cross-recognition process for Nurses from different countries:

New Zealand: For nurses who hold a current annual practising certificate with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and who are applying for registration in Australia under the provisions of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act can apply a direct registration to APHRA.

United Kingdom: Due to the similarities in nursing education and standards between the UK and Australia, the assessment procedure for nurses who had their training in the UK is typically has a streamlined process.

Canada, United States, Ireland and Hong Kong: International Registered Nurses trained from these countries are required to undergo a detailed assessment process, including an evaluation of their educational qualifications, clinical experience, and English language proficiency. The OBA may be mandatory for certain nurses to meet Australian requirements.

For other countries not included in the list, such as Philippines, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe and other countries the NMBA has determined that nursing and midwifery qualifications awarded by educational institutions from these countries are unlikely to meet criteria standards and should proceed with the OBA Preparatory program and go through a rigorous assessment process that includes evaluating their educational qualifications, clinical experience, and English language proficiency to familiarize nurses with the Australian healthcare system and enhance their skills to meet local requirements.

Benefits of Cross Recognition

The cross-recognition of overseas nurses in Australia brings several benefits to both the nurses themselves and the Australian healthcare system wherein it allows overseas nurses to contribute to filling this gap in the nursing workforce. By recognizing the qualifications and experience of overseas nurses, Australia can access a broader pool of skilled healthcare professionals to meet the growing demand for nursing services, whilst providing the economic contributions, it broadens the cultural variety of the healthcare workforce, encouraging culturally sensitive and patient-centred care. international nurses frequently offer unique talents and experiences that can add to the profession's creativity and best practises.

Challenges and Future Considerations

While the cross-recognition procedure has shown to be advantageous, it is not without obstacles. Language limitations, disparities in healthcare systems and practises, and cultural changes can all be challenges for overseas nurses. To overcome these issues, ongoing support, cultural competence training, and focused professional development opportunities should be made available.

 In the future, it is critical to continue streamlining the cross-recognition process and guaranteeing transparency and uniformity in reviewing abroad nurses' qualifications from various nations. Collaboration between regulatory bodies, educational institutions, and healthcare organisations will be critical in designing comprehensive and specialised programmes that enable the integration of overseas nurses into the Australian healthcare sector.

Conclusion

It is important to note that while the cross-recognition of overseas nurses offers numerous benefits, it is essential to ensure that the qualifications and competencies of overseas nurses align with Australian standards and regulations. Rigorous assessment processes, such as those conducted by ANMAC, help safeguard patient safety and maintain the quality of nursing care provided in Australia.