New Zealand offers a world-class health system as well as a terrific way of life to offer. Beautiful beaches, snow-capped mountains, and regional parks are all within a few hours' drive of most cities and villages, allowing you to discover this nation of hidden gems and unspoiled beauty. Many foreign nurses are seeking career opportunities in this beautiful country.
If you are planning to work in New Zealand as a nurse, you are in the right place. This article will tell you more about how to become a nurse in New Zealand and the requirements that you need to pass to process your application.
Why Work In New Zealand?
Registered nurses in New Zealand have the opportunity to work in a wide range of nursing practice areas and a variety of locations. You can also work as a nurse practitioner, nurse manager, nurse educator, nurse researcher, or nursing researcher. RNs with three to seven years of experience typically make $62,000 to $77,000 per year. Senior registered nurses earn $79,000 to $130,000 on average, depending on their experience and responsibilities.
Is there a shortage of nurses in New Zealand?
The demand for skilled registered nurses is high and predicted to continue to rise as the population ages, necessitating more nursing care. Older nurses are retiring - according to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, 50% of nurses will retire by 2035.
How To Become A New Zealand Registered Nurse
To apply for a New Zealand Working Visa, you must have a job offer that you are qualified for and there are no appropriate New Zealand residents available. Nurses are in a unique group in New Zealand since they are in such great demand. Nursing has been designated by the government as a long-term skills shortage category, thus no checks are done to see if eligible New Zealand residents are available.
To work in New Zealand, you must first complete the following steps:
- Obtain a job offer – communicate with your consultant.
- Become a member of the New Zealand Nursing Council.
- Obtain a police clearance as well as a medical and, in some situations, a chest x-ray.
- Obtain a New Zealand Nursing Council practicing certificate.
- Obtain a work permit.
- When you arrive in the nation, get a work permit stamped on your passport.
Getting a Nursing License in New Zealand
To get a work permit, you'll need to show that you're registered with the New Zealand Nursing Council, or NZNC. Registered nurses should read the following material.
Each nurse is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The process takes roughly 12 weeks for international nurses (excluding nurses registered in all Australian states except Western Australia) (if your paperwork is in order). This is not something you can apply for over the counter. The NZNC will send you application forms for the annual practicing certificate once you've enrolled. The processing time is approximately 7-10 days. Over the counter, you can apply for a practicing certificate. You will be given a receipt and the certificate will be mailed to you once it has been printed. You can use the receipt to get some work done.
How Foreign Nurses Can Secure Nursing Registration In NZ
- Registration with a regulatory body in another country
- An international qualification that is comparable OR
- A pass in an accredited provider's assessment of the Council's competence for Registered Nurses.
- Completed a program approved by the Council to evaluate Registered Nurse skills.
The Council demands verification from the regulatory authority where you hold the registration of your abroad nursing registration. This verification must be given directly to the Council from that authority. You must also produce the original of a Police Certificate that is no more than 6 months old when it is received by the Council as proof that you have no convictions.
Your Permit to Work
How long will you be able to work in New Zealand? A work permit will be provided for the duration of your contract, but it can be extended for up to three years from the date you initially arrived in New Zealand. When you arrive in New Zealand, your work permit will be stamped in your passport at the airport. There is no charge for this service.
Can You Bring Your Family To New Zealand?
If you're traveling with a partner or dependents, each of you must apply for a visa separately (see the application form; there's a section for families/dependents). Your partner should be able to work in New Zealand full-time and will need to apply for a partnership work permit. They will only need to fill out a few parts of the same work visa application form and give proof of the relationship as well as a letter from you. They won't have to show any proof of their efforts.
Any dependents' visa applications should be completed and submitted with the parent's application. Children under the age of 18 are considered dependents, as are children under the age of 21 who are enrolled in a full-time University program in New Zealand. Schooling for Dependent Children: Work Visa holders' spouses and dependent children are granted Visitor or Student Visas for the same time as the Work Visa holder.
Until they complete secondary school, dependent children of Work Visa holders do not have to pay foreign student tuition expenses. Domestic students are primary or secondary pupils who are dependents of someone who has a New Zealand Work Permit.
In New Zealand, nurses are in high demand. Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in one of the world's most beautiful countries.
