Hi, I noticed that your question is a bit old, but i've just found this forum. So what I say: you can practise in ie without a membership, but prepare that sooner or later they ask you about ISCP, because reputation of the clinic is very important for every owner- but the smaller village with the clinic is- the better chances to work you have. It's up to the owner if he/she employs you or not. And besides waiting to any answer from ISCP last weeks and months so - you can always say that you're waiting"IRISH TOMORROW" - what they used to say
The Society is just protecting the vacancies for their people. Many irish physios don't care about the society, cause they're educated in this country - but if you want to open your own practise - it's better to have a few letters before your name- it's a good advertisement for the clients.
I don't know from where do you have the information, that it's easier for people with Bsc degree. I don't agree. The guy i knew- from USA, with seven years of experience and courses - had loads of problems- and ot last ages to become a MISCP. They are just people- they have their rules but they always will be subjective. But... now what I think is -that the more experienced the person is, the more dangerous is, as well, for the labour market. so you can find out the rest.
I have a MSc, without any experience - and I had to spend 16 week on the placement, which after long time I managed to find. And what important is-what heard form my supervisior, who had a meeting in Dublin - Ithe ISCP people asked physiotherapy managers to provide more placements for physio applicants, cause i think last year or two years alltogether- from among 50 applications, only 5 people managed to become a mambers.
I hope you know that it is unpaid- the hospital might pay you, but it doesn't have to.
And besides your irritation is obvious, but it's a foreign country, or rather you, as well as me, are foreigneers. you can only accept this and still look for any placement if it's important for you. It's difficult but not impossible. I'm an example - after 2 years sending different documents, looking for placement asking... i'm a MISCP.
And one more thing - when i received a hospital list - that was in the second half of 2006, and the book was form 2001- so it speaks for it self- in one case - the hospital when i went to ask, didn't exist any moreThey don't care, your left with the problem, they don't even care about refreshing the information.
Coming to an end - a repeat it's not impossible, it's just frustratingI was afraid to write the exam, cause in contrast to e.g. indian people, english wasn't my second language during studies. I didn't want to risk.CHEERS