Getting skills assessment from ANMAC

image taken from https://www.anmac.org.au/sites/all/themes/anmac/logo.png

After getting hold of your Australian Registration for Nurses, you can then try your luck at finding a job. It is very challenging as Australian employers are being mandated to hire citizens or Permanent Residents first and only after making sure that there are no qualified persons who have applied, they then can hire foreign workers.

Otherwise, it is best to start the process of skills assessment. Documents can be authenticated by the JP and then sent to ANMAC. Some of their requirements for Modified Skills Assessment are: 

1. Certificate of Good Standing - arrange this to from your country's professional registration body. In my case, I got it from Philippine Registration Commission and it was they who sent it directly to ANMAC. I just had to pay a nominal fee. 

2. A colour copy of your proof of identity. In my case I photocopied the bio statistical page of my passport. 

3. Current Registration certificate from the NMBA program 

4. Professional reference from your paid work experience wherein you had been for at least 3 months and on full time status. 

5.  Completed ANMAC application form 

Waiting time for skills assessment is updated in their website and it usually runs for up to 8 weeks. Usually they send 2 emails: the first one is when the assessment has commenced and the second one when it has been finalized. It is best to lodge an expression of interest (EOI) once the letter has been received as the EOI will ask the exact date of when the ANMAC decision was finalized. This can only be found in the letter.

Some would prefer to have an immigration agent help them from getting a skills assessment from ANMAC up to applying for a visa. I was also contemplating to have this but what set me back was the huge fee so I resolved to read and research the tiniest details online and do it on my own.

I got my ANMAC Letter of Determination 10 weeks after I applied for it. It felt like forever and I did call and email them to follow up. They were very happy to let me know regarding the status so I remained patient and prayed that all will go well - and it did!

For more details about ANMAC skills assessment, you can check out their website: 

https://www.anmac.org.au/skilled-migration-services/registered-nurse

Their FAQs do help a lot too: https://www.anmac.org.au/skilled-migration-services/faq

Thank you for reading and 'til next blog!

Salute!

(image taken from Facebook)

Salute to the brave men and women who fought against the terrorist invasion in Marawi. Our happiness is as obvious as the face and jump of this boy. 

New Rules by Dua Lipa

I've been listening to a lot of songs by Dua Lipa recently. I find her voice smooth and and unique. She does have a lot of likable tunes such as Scared to be Lonely (with Martin Garrix), Be the One and Blow your mind.

Another song that I like from Dua Lipa is entitled New Rules. At first, I didn't like the title that much so I refused to listen to the song. However, when I heard a clip of the song, I got hooked! The song talks about how girls are supposed to act during a break up. Lesson: never run after a guy. If a guy wants to stay, he will come back or better, will never leave. This song fits women who are not able to get over their boyfriends yet. Realize your worth, ladies!

So here is the video and lyrics. Enjoy!

One, one, one, one, one...

Talkin' in my sleep at night, makin' myself crazy(Out of my mind, out of my mind)Wrote it down and read it out, hopin' it would save me(Too many times, too many times)My love, he makes me feel like nobody else, nobody elseBut my love, he doesn't love me, so I tell myself, I tell myself

One: Don't pick up the phoneYou know he's only callin' 'cause he's drunk and alone
Two: Don't let him inYou'll have to kick him out again
Three: Don't be his friendYou know you're gonna wake up in his bed in the morning
And if you're under him, you ain't gettin' over him

[Chorus]I got new rules, I count 'emI got new rules, I count 'emI gotta tell them to myselfI got new rules, I count 'emI gotta tell them to myself
(Nowhere to turn, no way)
(Nowhere to turn, no)
Now I'm standin' back from it, I finally see the pattern
(I never learn, I never learn)
But my love, he doesn't love me, so I tell myself, I tell myself
I do, I do, I do

One: Don't pick up the phone
You know he's only callin' 'cause he's drunk and alone
Two: Don't let him in
You'll have to kick him out again
Three: Don't be his friend
You know you're gonna wake up in his bed in the morning
And if you're under him, you ain't gettin' over him
[Chorus]
I got new rules, I count 'em
I got new rules, I count 'em
I gotta tell them to myself
I got new rules, I count 'em
I gotta tell them to myself
[Bridge]
Practice makes perfect
I'm still tryna learn it by heart (I got new rules, I count 'em)
Eat, sleep, and breathe it
Rehearse and repeat it, 'cause I... (I got new...)

24 hours In Adelaide

I am truly blessed with friends that don't forget about me especially when they are travelling.

Eajeer came all the way from Perth to Melbourne to visit Lalaine, his bff whom I became friends with, too. It was his birthday trip and the original plan was for me to visit Geraldton, W.A. It changed for the better and the three of us went for a long drive to Adelaide. 

We started to leave Melton, Victoria at around 4 in the morning. It was another cold dawn in Victoria so it was pretty hard to get up and get ready for the trip. There was also a bit of heavy rain along the way. We had coffee and made an effort to talk to each other so that no one would sleep. The total drive to Adelaide was about 7 hours or 726 kilometers.

It was already sunrise when we decided to take turns sleeping. Here is Eajeer using Hippo as his pillow :P

We had a few stops along the road to get food or to get to the toilet. We also passed by the awesome silo painted with children. How cool!

We arrived at the border of Victoria and South Australia at around 7am and were too happy to take turns and have our photo taken.

The scenery towards Adelaide was gorgeous. There were a lot of green valleys and mountains in contrast to the plains of most of Victoria. A few hours and stops later, we arrived at Adelaide.

My first expression of Adelaide was that it was like a quiet town. There were not a lot of people in the CBD. I immediately fell in love with its laid back vibe. The CBD had a lot of food places and it was quite difficult to choose one because all were lovely. 

Finally, we chose The Belgian because of their great deal for the day. Lalaine and I had Chicken Schnitzel and Beer for 15 AUD while Eajeer got a bowl of mussels for the same price. 

After satisfying our tummies, we headed to our hotel: The Ibis Grosvernor which was at the heart of the city. We didn't how exhausted we all were until our heads touched the soft pillows and the bed. The three of us dozed off for about 2 hours and readied ourselves to visit a friend of Eajeer who lives in one of the suburbs in Adelaide. 

The hosts were gracious to us and filled us with food, stories and laughters. Time ran so fast and we found ourselves on the road again back to Adelaide. This time we stopped by at the Casino which was right across our hotel. It was Eajeer's birthday and he wanted to try his birthday luck. Sadly it was just not his lucky dawn so 

The following day, the three of us woke up early to try on the hotel's breakfast buffet. I do love this kind of perk on hotel stays any where I go. It wasn't so much but as a great lover of food and breakfast , I was satisfied. We then checked out of our hotel to start our city exploration. 

Here are the places we visited during the day:

1. Grundy Gardens

This is a small park situated along the River Torrens. The bridge that can be seen here is the University Bridge. This garden was named after a councilor of the city. A lot of bikers were passing by as the park does not have a crowd. I think it's a perfect place if you would like to sit alone and think. 

The place has quite a bit of space to run around. There were white birds who were busy getting food while I was also busy watching them. They don't seem much afraid with humans near them even though I did not feed them. 

2. St. Peters Cathedra;

Adelaide CBD is pretty small and easy to navigate. It is also the city of churches. I love visiting churches wherever new place I go to but as we only had limited time in this trip I only had a photo of one. Unfortunately, during our time of visit, it was closed too. I bet the inside of this huge church is beautiful as it's facade. 

3. Rundle Mall

We then went to Haigh's Chocolates to buy some presents for people back in Melbourne. The building where they are located is one of the oldest and loveliest building in the city. While crossing the intersection towards it, Eajeer managed to get a cute photo of it with me included :)

A lot of people were in the store that time but I bet this is most of the time! Haigh's is a famous and trusted brand of chocolate- who can refuse? We still had a bit of time to kill so we went to the Bath Bomb Shop and other nice shops in the CBD,

There is one shop that caught our attention because of its beautiful and colorful facade. It was Blackebys Old Sweet Shop. Yes, we went from one sweet shop from another. LOL

I was sad that it was time to leave Adelaide. I felt I haven't seen enough. I secretly promised myself to come back to Adelaide in the future. 

4. Hahndorf

Next on our list was the town of Handorf. It is a town settled by Germans in the state of South Australia. It is very famous for its German influence and array of stores ranging from dolls, candles, clocks and most especially food. It was only a few minute drive from Adelaide, too. We had fun walking down the lane and going into lovely shops such as this.

We also met two lovely dogs whose owner graciously allowed us to pat them. He even gave us a card to like the Facebook page of these little beasts but unfortunately, I think Eajeer lost it.

Eajeer was celebrating his birthday that day and we all haven't had lunch yet. We found this nice little restaurant that offered a meat platter. The only food I know from this plate is the German Franks. Nevertheless, all of them were delicious. 

We went out full and happy. The drive back to Melbourne was another 6-7 hours. We finally arrived at 2am, all tired but happy that our trip was a success.

Thank you for reading and 'til next blog :)

Getting into the mudpack craze

Because of Facebook, I have learned about my acquaintances using mudpacks to help smoothen and soften their skin. It made them momentarily appear as if they went out from a pig pen but they raved about the result. I have never tried one myself and was curious about it. I found that my friend was a re-seller and when I had the money, I immediately ordered one. I am pleased to see that it is non greasy and has no scent.

I know I should have put a lot thicker on my face but I did not want to shock myself of how I look like :P Anyway, before putting it on, I washed my face with soap and water and patted my face dry. I left the mudpack for about 15-20 minutes. I can literally feel it harden on my face. Surprisingly, it can easily be washed off. I do agree that it leaves my face smooth and tight but I have yet to see the long term effects of it on me. 

I'm excited to use it 3 or 4 times a week and just praying I will not be lazy to follow this skin routine. 

Thank you for reading and 'til next blog! :)

Coming Back to Cebu

image taken from https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews

The province of Cebu is the land of my father. Me and my sister have lived and worked in Cebu until I decided to try my luck in another country. Back then, Cebu was interesting for me. It had a number of shopping centers that I regularly go to and transportation was easy breezy. Now that I am back in Cebu after 3 years of being away, I find that there are more malls, more people and heavy traffic. I have successfully found a job in one of the busiest hubs in the metro and going to the place is quite a burden. I need at least 2 hours prior to my work time to get ready and catch a jeepney ride. Jeepneys going to and from are most likely full more so on rush hour. Otherwise, I will have to resort to getting a taxi or uber or angkas ride which is expensive but still are good ways to get to the job on time. Since I am petite, jeepney drivers could still let me ride in their already full vehicle and I end up sitting with only 1 butt on the seat. But in the name of work and getting there on time, I have to sacrifice and bear all this. I just hope God sustains and gives me strength. 

My Pathway to Becoming a Nurse In Australia

A couple of my friends have urged me to come to Australia. At first, I was hesitant to try as there are a lot of requirements and fees that need to be covered. Finally, I realized that while I am still somehow young, I should try. Metaphorically it was like climbing a mountain for me. But I did not climb it all in one day. What I did is to do things, big or small everyday just to achieve what I want. Here is a summary of what I did.

1. Take IELTS- This is the very first step to be able to enroll to a school. This will also help to get work and visa in the future. For nurses, we are required to get an overall band of 7. An overall band score of 8 is desired if you would like to have higher points for the Skilled Migration Points System (for 189 visa).

2. While waiting and praying for the IELTS result, gather requirements asked for by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The form to be accomplished is AGOS 40 and is readily available at their website. It is a  straightforward and clear form.

3. Once IELTS results are in and it is satisfactory, have all documents certified as true copy and mail these to AHPRA together with the form. Do not staple all the documents. Also, it will be asking you to include how you would like to pay the total fee of 520 AUD.

4. Wait for AHPRA's email. Sometimes they will email if they need further documents. Otherwise, they will email to let you know of their decision/ recommendation. In my case, I was recommended to proceed to an NMBA (bridging) program.

5. Look for a school that fits the budget and is reputable for the program asked for. My friend studied at IHNA Melbourne so I also chose the same school but I studied in Perth. You will be asked for a set of documents again including immunizations. They can all be sent via email. 

6. Depending on the school, pay for their admin fee and they will give you back a confirmation of enrollment. This will reflect that a slot has been reserved. Their slots were filling up fast so I chose the earliest which was February 2017.

7. You can now start to process for your visa. The school has advised me to get a Visa subclass 600 good for 3 months of studying. I created an online immigration account and followed the instructions. Then, I had a HAP ID as reference to have my medical tests done. I paid 135 AUD for my visa which I got after 3 weeks.

8. Next up was to look for flights and accommodations. The school was offering an accommodation for 200 AUD per week which was expensive. I asked help from family and friends. Luckily, my sister had a classmate living in Perth and I was able to stay at their house. For the flights, it was about 5 months before I had to fly so my ticket to Perth via Singapore was not quite breaking the bank.

9. Save money and make sure that all documents were sent to the school before coming over. I couldn't stress this enough.

10. Pack clothes fit for the season that you are coming. At the same time, make sure that you are within your allowed baggage. This proved to be difficult for me. I had quite a number of things that I really had to leave behind. 

11. Arrive in Australia a few days ahead of the start of classes. This would give time to look around and familiarize with the transport as well as get a simcard, open a bank account and settle in.

12. Be prompt on the first day (and all days). I met Filipino classmates for the program and was happy to make new friendships. Almost half of the class were Indians, and there were about 3 Europeans.

13. Study and work hard to achieve the assessments and requirements of the school and practicum.

14. After the bridging program, gather necessary requirements and accomplish AGBP 40 form from the AHPRA website. Pay the amount of 300 AUD along with their form. I personally went to the AHPRA office in Perth to submit my papers but these can also be sent via post. 

15. Wait for a couple of weeks and they will email you if you need to present more documents or that you have passed all requirements and that you are now a registered nurse! Congratulations!

I still have a long way to go as it is quite difficult to score a company that sponsors a work visa but I know that with God's grace I can make it.

Thank you for reading and 'til next blog :)