Key Points
- Data from the 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics census shows that there are over 450,000 registered nurses and midwives throughout Australia – it is the largest clinical workforce in the country.
- The Philippines has 951,105 registered nurses but only 53.55% (or 509,297) are active, according to the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).
- The shortage of nurses continues to impact Australia’s healthcare system; it is estimated that the shortage of nurses will reach over 100,000 by the year 2025.
Journey to Nursing
“It was in 2012 when I decided to study nursing. My first-born [child] was always sick then, we were always at the hospital because of her asthma.”
‘My initial work was in aged care, but I left after three months as my heart breaks every time I see our aged residents struggling without their families. I eventually worked in a medical centre where I was given the opportunity to work in a wider community.” Credit: Maricon Quiboloy
Born in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, Maricon is the first in her family to become a nurse.
“I never thought that I would become a nurse then. I had a degree in Accountancy back home and worked in the bank.”
Opportunities in Regional NSW
“Just last March this year, our family was granted our permanent residency.”
Maricon (rightmost) and her family have reaped the benefits of living and working in a regional area in NSW. Credit: Maricon Quiboloy
Apart from enjoying the more relaxed lifestyle in Goulburn, Ms Quiboloy says that “there are a lot of job openings in almost all industries in our region.”
“If you move here, work will be running after you. It would not be difficult to find a job.”