Australian Nursing Reality | Life Beyond Scrubs | Sachin Duhan - Unfiltered

Summary

Nurse Sachin Duhan describes his path from studying nursing in India to working in Australia. After initially considering medicine, he chose nursing and decided during his studies that he wanted to move overseas. He first explored Canada, then switched his plans to Australia, passing OET on his second attempt.

After completing a bridging course and clinical placement, Sachin came to Australia in 2019. He initially studied health service management on a student visa and found work in aged care in Adelaide. During COVID, changes to experience requirements allowed him to apply for a 491 visa. He later gained permanent residency, completed a master’s in mental health nursing while working, and moved from aged care into mental health. He says the transition brought new opportunities, though the work can be demanding and depends greatly on having a supportive team.

The conversation stresses that Australian nursing is not an automatic route to a settled or highly paid life. Jobs can be difficult to secure, especially for new graduates, and registration alone does not guarantee employment. Pay must be weighed against taxes and high living costs. Sachin also reflects on workplace culture: he appreciated less hierarchy and being addressed by his own name, as well as respectful interactions with patients.

Key Advice and Takeaways

• Research the whole pathway, not just registration. Consider visa eligibility, experience requirements, job availability, expenses, and the possibility of an initial struggle.
• Build relevant experience. Sachin says employers may prefer experienced nurses, and the ward or specialty you have worked in can affect your prospects. A first job may be outside your preferred area; local experience can help you move later.
• Be flexible when applying. If you are not getting responses, review whether you are targeting the right roles and check your résumé, documents, and application approach.
• Tailor your résumé and cover letter. Keep your résumé focused on nursing education, work experience, and relevant professional details. Write a separate cover letter for each role rather than reusing the same one.
• Take English communication seriously. Passing an English test does not necessarily prepare you for local accents, slang, or everyday clinical communication.
• Think carefully about sponsorship. Sachin says sponsorship may be especially difficult for freshers and that employers are likely to favor candidates with stronger experience. He suggests investigating direct permanent residency options where eligible, while noting that visa conditions and pathways can change.
• Choose a location based on your priorities. Larger cities may suit people seeking a busier lifestyle; regional towns may offer a quieter pace. He recommends getting work and visa arrangements sorted before deciding where to settle long term.
• Weigh work against personal life. Day shifts may suit those prioritizing routine and lifestyle; night shifts can offer higher earnings but may be hard to sustain. Sachin’s personal preference is a peaceful life with time for family over maximizing income.
• Consider whether moving abroad fits your situation. A secure government job or established business in India may make leaving less attractive. He suggests visiting on a tourist visa first to get a feel for life abroad, rather than relying on social media portrayals.
• Be realistic about Australia and New Zealand. Sachin says the better choice depends on where a person can actually secure work and the relevant visa. He describes New Zealand as attractive for travel and scenery, and says that, personally, he likes the idea of working in Australia while living in New Zealand.

Notable Locations, Organizations, and Speakers

• Speakers: Sachin Duhan, guest; Harshita, host of Nurse In Dilemma.
• Locations: India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Adelaide, and Western Australia.
• Organizations and pathways mentioned: Gray Matters, Newcastle University, AIIMS, OET, IELTS, OSCE, AHPRA, the 491 visa pathway, and Australian permanent residency.
• Products: No specific consumer products are discussed.