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Australian Nurse to work/relocate to Hong Kong

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  1. #11

    Join Date
    Sep 2015
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    463

    many surgeons working in Hong Kong have English as their first language and speak conversational Cantonese as a result from living/working there.”

    Not really. Many wouldn’t want to deal with a nurse if she doesn’t speak cantonese.

    School nurse for an international school is a good idea.


  2. #12

    Join Date
    Mar 2021
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    1,327
    Quote Originally Posted by 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.
    My thoughts also.

    Not sure what is needed in terms of licences. Also not sure if the job would meet the OP's career objectives, but some jobs listed here:

    https://hk.jobsdb.com/hk/search-jobs/school-nurse/1

  3. #13

    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    831
    Quote Originally Posted by 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
    I think having career aspirations in Hong Kong is way too late right now. You should see my thread about the good old times. Hong Kong has lost a lot of its charm and living there is very different from living in Australia for sure. And comparing what you actually get for the prices you pay in both is laughable.

    You should get your partner to sponsor you if you want to move on over. And you are also heavily delusional if you think pollution won’t be an issue for you if you come from a western country.

    if you are a returning Chinese, then go for it. The place is full of Canadian Chinese.

  4. #14

    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    162

    I know several expat nurses who work at private hospitals, doctor's clinics and international schools. Some who haven't passed the licensing exams work as Doctor's receptionists. You could also work for an agency as a "nurse aid". This might not be what you want but is a way to survive here. None of these places will sponsor a visa. No idea about the quality migrant route


  5. #15

    Marry your partner first. Will make this a lot more realistic.


  6. #16

    Wait...let me check if this is right.

    You are in a long distance relationship and are going to uproot to move to HK for your partner. But you only can afford 3 months without income ?

    Is your partner not going to house you and feed you ???? Surely your partner can let you live rent free and pay for your food etc.

    Or are you expected to uproot, move to HK, find your own accommodation, and pay your own expenses , split everything 50:50 and give up you career in Australia, and try to survive and sit the nursing exams ??

    If you give up your life in Australia, the least your partner can do is to support you until you are sorted out with your exams.

    TaD_LaLa, Jaz Paul, aw451 and 2 others like this.

  7. #17

    Join Date
    Apr 2019
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    island east
    Posts
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    Quote Originally Posted by 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.
    Read up on the QMAS selection process.
    https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services...sed-tests.html

    Unless you have multiple master degrees from top universities in Australia, it will be hard to get a QMAS. Nursing is not on the current talent list, so you won't get extra points.
    Maybe if you have a whole bunch of high tech nursing patents or written a few books on nursing, you may get in on exceptional talent. It may take years to get a QMAS, that only lets you come into the country -> it doesn't get you a job.

    Are you expecting not to have to interact with patients? It would be difficult to be nurse without speaking the local language (afaik), unless you went to a predominantly english setting (which maybe private English schools, etc).

    It seems like the nursing exam is similar to the medical exams in Australia -> it is geared to reduce the number of potential outsiders coming in. I'd be surprised that recent graduates from local colleges could pass the exam easily.
    https://www.scmp.com/article/713893/...med-tough-exam

    It is unlikely you can get a visa to come into the country. Maybe a study visa, but that doesn't get you a job in Hong Kong.

    There are other nurses from Philippines, etc working on very low pay as private nurses. They get in on a Domestic Helper visa, but may get paid more than minimum wage.


    ymmv.

  8. #18

    Join Date
    Oct 2020
    Posts
    114

    If you are in a very specialised role, then you need to consider how your licences / qualifications stand up if you want to return to your career in a western country after you've spent some time doing something else or nursing at a lower level in HK

    On a similar note, I understand the desire to be with your partner, but are you risking replacing the downside of a long distance relationship with the stress of being unemployed / underemployed in a foreign country? How will that affect your relationship? From personal experience, it will be tough.

    MichelleMae likes this.

  9. #19

    THANK YOU EVERYONE! Appreciate all the points you have raised.Obviously, the first choice was for him to come here, but Australian travel visas are so difficult right now.There are Australian citizens being denied entry into their own country. My partner holds a French passport and could work in Sydney remotely (he only needs a laptop and internet connection), but the issue is Australia only letting Hollywood stars in as making movies in Australia is boosting the local economy.I may look into teaching English or being a school nurse although I have no academic qualifications in Education. Will keep trying to see what other feasible options exist but I am sure I will hit a wall soon.Once again, thank you all for your input and advice. A few of you raised issues I was not aware of. I am grateful that they have been brought to my attention

    hullexile, Corrib and ad08 like this.

  10. #20

    Join Date
    May 2020
    Posts
    103

    Second the point regarding expat nurses in private hospitals, clinics and international schools. Central Medical or Matilda International Hospital comes to mind for me for specific places