Overseas Nurse Registration New Zealand
New Zealand
There are many opportunities for skilled Nurses to work in New Zealand.
There are two ways in which overseas Nurses can register and enter the nursing profession in New Zealand.
• By successfully completing Competency Assessment Program (Adaptation Program).
• By enrolling a New Zealand University for a Nursing Degree where they may be granted some credit for previous study.
Overseas qualified Nurses who wish to work in New Zealand must be registered by the Nursing Council of New Zealand. After approval of the registration, the Nurse can apply for a practising certificate, which requires annual renewal. Midwives must apply to the Midwifery Council of New Zealand, which is the regulatory authority for midwives. Nursing and midwifery are regulated as separate professions, and someone who wishes to work in both capacities must gain registration and practicing certificates from both these councils.
Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and in keeping with the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. The Council operates a system of reciprocal registration with Australia.
Prerequisites for registration include:
- An equivalent international nursing qualification (or completion of a bridging program)
- Evidence of competency to practise within the scope of practice
- Fitness for registration, which includes the ability to communicate effectively in English for the purpose of practising nursing. Candidates must pass an approved English Language test before apply for registration.
- Post- registration experience- Evidence of at least two years’ post-registration experience in the last five years while registered as a nurse, in written format and verified by employers. (This does not apply to new graduates who have trained in New Zealand within the last year)
English language proficiency
Applicants must gain a score of at least 7.0 in Reading, listening & speaking & 6.5 in Writing in IELTS (Academic) test,
OR
For OET results you must achieve a minimum score of B (350) for each band: reading, listening and speaking. C+ (300) for writing in OET.
For OET results after 19 August 2022 You must achieve a minimum score of B (350) for each band: reading, listening and speaking. C+ (300) for writing in OET.
Exemptions
1. Nursing Qualification
Your education that led to registration as a nurse was taught and examined in English in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Ireland, Canada, or the United States of America.
The Council may require you to provide evidence that you completed your nursing education in English, for example, a transcript from your education provider.
2. Nursing Registration
You have current nursing registration in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, or the United States of America that required you to pass an English language test.
Competence assessment programmes (CAP)
The New Zealand Nursing Council (NZNC) has prescribed a Competency Assessment Program (CAP), on successful completion of which a Nurse may apply for registration in New Zealand.
Competency Assessment Programmes or Bridging Programs are designed to assess and teach the necessary competencies to practice safely as a Nurse in New Zealand. This is designed as a short-term 45-60 days course conducted by healthcare providers/ polytechnics in New Zealand. For overseas registered Nurses, successful completion of a competency programme enables registration in New Zealand and for an Annual Practising Certificate to be issued.
For more information please visit this link.
Exemptions
If you hold current registration in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, the United States of America or Canada, you may not need to complete a CAP because the registered nurse role and healthcare context in these countries is similar to New Zealand.
How can YESTE help?
YESTE has significant expertise in handholding candidates who wish to migrate to New Zealand and start a career in nursing. Do call us today and let’s work together to make your New Zealand dreams come true!
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