Australian Nurse to work/relocate to Hong Kong

[MichelleMae]

Hello Geo Expat Members,

Michelle here. I am an Australian Nurse, turning 35 this year and have been registered to practice since 2009.

I am wanting to work and relocate to Hong Kong for 3-5 years.

The application form is a process in itself, but very doable. My real concern is the License Examination. Given the current climate, travelling is proving impossible.

I have been in touch with The Nursing Council of Hong Kong and I must physically be in Hong Kong to take the theory component (wait 10 weeks for result) and then take the practical component and wait another 10 weeks for that exam result. Add the 3 weeks of quarantine before that as well. There is no venue in Sydney, Australia to do the exam. It must be done in Hong Kong.

Essentially, I would need to live in Hong Kong without a job for 6 months at least. Not economically viable for me. I would also be leaving behind an established Nursing career in Australia (Clinical Nurse Consultant specialising in Cardiothoracic Surgery).

I have heard that the Hong Kong Nursing exam has a low passing rate. Can anyone confirm if this is true?

Have also heard that plenty qualified nurses from overseas who pass the exam end up working as receptionists/cleaners/teachers/nannies etc. Apparently there are not enough Nursing jobs in Hong Kong.

My other question is does Hong Kong even have a need or interest in having Australian Nurses?

Any tips, tricks and advice would be greatly appreciated. My main purpose for relocating is obviously for a long distance relationship, but I am not moving if I cannot get a Nursing job. I have no children, no mortgage and have always wanted to experience living somewhere else. I have lived in Australia 33/35 years of my life. But of course, I need to be realistic and would like to know if a Nursing job is even possible.

Thank you all for the taking the time to read my thread. Looking forward to your responses

[DimSumBond]

Why are you pursuing this if you can’t afford the 6 months you’d need to go through the vetting process?

Is the air pollution and overpriced foods really that appealing to you?

[chuckster007]

HK doesnt allow non residents in right now so even if you wanted to come, you cant. dont think even Australia will let you leave without proper visa etc for HK

[MichelleMae]

Thank you DimSumBond for your reply. I can afford 3 months without income, but 6 months is a stretch. I underestimated how involved and lengthy it would be to work as a Nurse in Australia.

I made the mistake of assuming Nurses are in demand and that it would be a much more straight forward process. I respect that a process must be in place to ensure Hong Kong gets qualified personnel, but I have heard people with good nursing qualifications end up being receptionists/cleaners etc.

I have heard the air pollution is not as bad anymore and yes, Hong Kong living expenses are high, but there are ways to live on a budget. I also live in Sydney so I am familiar with overpriced food

[HK_Katherine]

There is another older thread on here all about that nursing exam - yes it's apparently awful. And exams in HK are likely very different to exams in Australia - it's all right or wrong with no out of the box thinking appreciated. have you considered trying to apply for jobs where you nursing capabilities are valued but not strictly a nurse? Like a medical officer in a company for example? I think you may need to think laterally because as others have indicated, if you are not a resident (ie married on a dependent visa or with a work or student visa) you cannot enter HK right now anyway.

[MABinPengChau]

Do you speak Cantonese? My understanding is that would hold you back from the good positions in hospitals (sounded like your specialty was hospital-related). If you speak Cantonese then maybe worth pursuing the exam, when travel restrictions are lifted. Pretty awful time for long-distance relationships, that's for sure...

[MichelleMae]

Thank you all! Appreciate your input. All thoughts I have already had. 100% yes! It is THE worst time to be in a long distance relationship, but I need to know that I have tried/exhausted all options.

My nursing skills are highly specialised. I'm hoping to maybe get entry via 'Quality Migrant Admission Scheme'.

No, I do not speak Cantonese, but I have been told many surgeons working in Hong Kong have English as their first language and speak conversational Cantonese as a result from living/working there.

[Cheeky Kiwi]

Ask your partner to move to Australia for you.

[needgoodwine]

Australia belongs in Group D, so no-HK residents are allowed entry. You have 2 weeks (not 3) of quarantine plus a week of self monitoring.

As a fellow Aussie, I would also love to find a gig over there. I am in the finance industry but it's still no walk in the park trying to find a role!

Here's the source: Group D is a third of the way down the page

https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/h...sk-places.html

[aw451]

I've never actually seen a foreign nurse in HK. I think you're more likely to get in if you marry your partner and search for a job such as being a school nurse at an international school.