IQNM: Criteria 1 – 8 for internationally qualified registered nurses

http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-and-Endorsement/International/criteria-nurses.aspx

I decided to complete my requirements and process my documents to be submitted to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) without the help of agencies. This would surely make me save a lot of money, though I really need a lot of sacrifice and experience many firsts. I knew that if I would be resourceful enough, I could survive the dilemma of vivid instructions from the site. I joined and subscribed in an online forum http://allnurses.com/nurse-registration/meeting-ahpra-requirements-759253.html and it was indeed a very informative one.

In response to Criterion 3 Registration Requirements for International Nurses, I went to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) office. It is located in C.P. Garcia Avenue inside UP Diliman Campus, the first right turn from the UP Diliman entrance.

I live in the southern part of the Metro, particularly in Las Pinas. Admittedly, I was never a direction freak! Whenever I go somewhere unfamiliar, I don’t remember any of the directions I’ve gone through especially if I’m travelling with a companion, seriously! I would need ample time for me to google searches and take screenshots of maps…yeah, take note, screenshots for just a single place! Anyway, I’m really not sure if this would be the best route but this one worked for me:

From Zapote, I took the bus to Baclaran (Php16.00).

From Baclaran, I rode a jeepney with “MRT/LRT” signboard (Php8.00-minimum fare) and got off at EDSA-TAFT MRT Station (near McDonald’s and Sogo Hotel)

I took the MRT train going to the last MRT station, North Avenue Station (Php15.00).

As I got off North Avenue Station, I walked like 500 meters approximately going to SM North EDSA where the Jeepney Terminal with UP Diliman route is located, and lined up with people having the same destination (Php10). 

During my first attempt to request for the needed document, I brought with me my original documents from school, including transcript of resords (TOR), RLE, and diploma, as well as photocopies of each document, also with the printed 2-page copy of the PDF template of Instructions to Accreditation Authorities. As soon as I got inside CHED building, The guard at the Reception Area told me to log-in and leave a valid ID as she gave me a visiting pass number. I really didn’t know to what office should I go to. I just told her that I will be requesting for Program of Study, which I think she didn’t get either as she just nodded and pointed to the staircase. The guards in each floor that I met were all very accommodating, but honestly answered that they are not familiar with the document either as I asked about the Program of Study that I was about to request. 

I read from a door in 3rd floor, “Office of Programs and Standard Development” and tried to humbly ask a lady regarding my query. Luckily, she was the one who processes the documents for AHPRA! I was delighted then as I showed her the template from AHPRA that I printed, together with the other school documents I brought with me. However, her smile turned into frown, as much as I did, when she showed me the list of requirements that I needed to submit before I could even request for the said document. These were as follow:

• Endorsement from the dean certifying that the applicant is a Nursing Graduate of the institution
• Certified True Copy of College Diploma
• Certified True Copy or Transcript of Records
• Letter of Request addressed to Dr. Amelia Biglete, Director IV, Offoce of Programs and Standards Development, with applicant’s birthday, contact numbers, and email address specified

I rushed to the school where I graduated from in order to beat the time and request for the requirements listed above. I got the CTCs, but the endorsement from the school certifying that I graduated from the institution needed a week to be released. I asked our Registrar’s Office regarding the latter of what type of document was that as I was filling up the Request Form. They told me to tick Certification of Graduation. Well, it really makes sense, but I insisted that it must be a letter from the dean. They told me to go to the Nursing Office to clarify and inquire about it. The Nursing Office, however, lead me back to the Registrar’s Office and told me to request the same thing, Certification of Graduation, and I did as instructed.

I read online threads every night to research upon AHPRA requirements. One week came, it was June 2, 2014 and I already got the documents from our school needed by CHED. As I reached CHED, the guard asked the school I graduated from. She told me that I should go to NCR Division on the building’s 2nd floor, since my school is located in NCR. Following what I have read from the forums and as the lady guard told me so, I went straight to 2nd floor NCR Office. The one handling the program of study queries seemed to be unsure and unfamiliar of what type of document I was requesting. She got my documents but told me to request from my school an endorsement letter from our dean instead of the Certification of Graduation. I told her that the Registrar’s Office gave me that document as they do not issue any endorsement letter. The lady even said, “Para naman silang bago ng bago! Yung CAV yung dapat na binigay nila!” Uncertain of what I was supposed to do, not to mention tired of travelling from Las Pinas to Manila to CHED and going back again, I tried my luck and went to the 3rd floor where the lady who gave me instructions and list of requirements back then. She accepted my documents and told me to follow-up after 2 days (June 4, 2014) with Ms. Shiela Jalbuena and gave me the telephone number 441-12-53. 

June 4, 2014 came and called Ms. Sheila. She told me that it was still for signature. I followed up everyday but Ms. Sheila was either on a meeting, on a break, or the line was always busy. It was then I decided to finish the other requirements instead to at least get the other necessary documents by. 

June 11, 2014, I was able to contact Ms. Shiela and she informed me the good news that my document was ready for pick-up. June 12 was a holiday, Independence Day, so I went to CHED again in the afternoon of June 13, Friday. Unfortunately, as I wasn’t able to get it as the lady guard informed me that Ms. Shiela went home early for some reason. Is it just really me or was it because it was Friday the 13th? No choice but to go back some other day.

…So I went back on a Monday and finally saw my precious 1-piece document ready! I was told by Ms. Sheila to go the Cashier in the Ground Floor to pay for Php40.00 then go to the Records Section right across the Cashier for further instructions. As I approached the Cashier, the lady in the window told me to pay Php20.00 instead of Php40.00. I added Php4 to get myself two photocopies for my own record. She gave me a little square piece of paper and told me to get inside to have the document photocopied. The man, after handing me the photocopies, directed me to the Records Section and endorsed me to a young man to have it dry-sealed. He made me sit down and wait until he gave me the document and an envelope with CHED address, and AHPRA address as the recipient. He informed me that they do not send documents outside the country so I should be the one to send the document.

I sent the document through registered mail. Well, simply because it is cheaper than to have it sent through courier. 😀

Hope this post helps, especially to those who are on the verge of processing their application for AHPRA! 🙂