It's a dirty job but at this moment, as a first generation of immigrant, I think about spending 2 years to purchase a steady career during the recession.
I checked the website of nursing board, if you study nursing degree at oz for two years, you don't need the ielts examination. Is that ture? I have applied the degree of nursing(graduate entry), which just 2yrs full-time studying. How hard is it? cheers!