Hello,
This is my first post, I am new to this site. I am wondering if there are any Midwives out there who have emigrated to Australia or (who are in the process), who are direct entry diploma qualified? I qualified in 2002 (advanced Diploma in Midwifery) and have just found out that the Nurse & Midwives Board of NSW may reject my application as they only recognize Midwives at degree level. I am so devastated, I have just passed my OET English test, which I was very pleased about, and then I get hit with fact that my qualification is possibly not 'good enough'. I had a skilled assessment with the ANMC for migration in 2007 and all went well (I am now living in Australia), so I assumed that my qualifications were acceptable. The board will assess my application and only grant registration based on references, my references are good & I have 7 years experience, however the board didnt reassure me that this would go smoothly. Does anyone have any advice for me? or do you know any Midwives who have registered with Diploma level qualification? Thanks & Happy New Year.x

Hi

I qualified in August 2009 and as a direct entry Registered Midwife Diploma and I was accepted by Nursing Board of Victoria and we are leaving in a few weeks. I have a job which I start in March.

I have two fellow colleagues who have been qualified longer than me, both Diploma midwives, both have emigrated to Australia - one to NSW and one to Brisbane. Both were direct entry.

Hope this puts your mind at rest.

Who told you that your qualification may not been good enough? What about all the nurses/midwives that have been practising years and never went to University, they are still accepted.

Lots of luck with your application.

Karen

There used to be rumors that went around saying that people who had trained in children's branch nursing would not be able to emigrate, but thats not true either... just can't be shifted around to other areas of the hospital (suits me)! I actually emailed QNC about this a few years ago and they told me that it was no problem but that they would put a condition on my registration saying that I was only able to work with kids... but now I have my registration there is no such condition on it.

I must say I get a bit grumpy over the degree versus diploma stuff... I'd rather have a fantastic nurse/midwife with a diploma than a bad one with a degree anyday, a good nurse is a good one no matter what their qualification. *gets down from soapbox*

If it would make you feel better about NSW board, send them a wee message and ask them

The only difference between degree and diploma is a dissertation and some modules being marked at a higher level. There is NO difference in your clinical experience or skills - which in my opinion is what counts.

[QUOTE=1968_karen;8224177]Hi

I qualified in August 2009 and as a direct entry Registered Midwife Diploma and I was accepted by Nursing Board of Victoria and we are leaving in a few weeks. I have a job which I start in March.

I have two fellow colleagues who have been qualified longer than me, both Diploma midwives, both have emigrated to Australia - one to NSW and one to Brisbane. Both were direct entry.

Hope this puts your mind at rest.

Who told you that your qualification may not been good enough? What about all the nurses/midwives that have been practising years and never went to University, they are still accepted.


Hi Karen

Thank you for your reply and yes you have put my mind at rest. It is reassuring to hear that there are diploma midwives registered. I thought this was the case, like you said, there are many nurses/midwives who have not studied at uni who must be registered over here.

It was a consultant from the NSW board who stated that it could be a problem. I rang them to ask a few questions about the application and all went well until she asked if I had a degree. She wasn't very helpful to be honest and said that my application will be assessed by a committe and it could be a problem that I dont have a degree.

She advised me to get datailed references from my past employers and that they have to refer to the australian competency standards. So I'm hoping that the board will grant registration based on references and experience. I think the lady I spoke with left me feeling really unreassured about the whole thing.

I'm feeling happier since ive received good feed back from people like yourself.

Well done for getting residency and a job over here, good luck with all.
Take care
Tina.