starting nursing in nz
 

Hello all ;)

I will hopefully be completing my adult nurse training in september next year and hoping with my husband to move over to NZ after i have finished as i would like to start my nurse career in NZ. It should not be a problem (eventually) for my husband to find work within NZ as he works within the IT sector. I have researched a little so far on nursing in NZ and understand it will be difficult for me to find a post within the DHB in NZ as i will come with no experience as a registered nurse although i do of course have experience from clinical placements and from my part time job within care homes. Would it best for me to apply for agency work or apply direct to nursing/residential homes? and does anyone know what the work is like within these areas in NZ assuming it may be different to here in the UK? Thanks for the reading the post and look forward to hearing your opinion/advice :thumbsup:

Re: starting nursing in nz
 

Hi,
I think most nursing agencys want some experience, but jobs for newly qualified nurses are a lot easier to get in NZ as the situation is a lot better over there. Have you decided on an area? We are looking at Dunedin so i emailed the hospital and they were really helpful. Both my husband and are nurses although we have a fair bit of experience between us and theyve pretty much guaranteed us a job in 12 months time. A lot of hospitals run graduate programs for new nurses which is like a rotation programme to gain experience. I think if the hospital is short of nurses they will consider you, just send out some emails with your CV to places you're interested in im sure you will get plenty of responses.

The main thing is to get your registration with the NZ nursing council as this can take some time, employers will only give you a job offer with this and it can take a couple of months. A job offer will then speed up your visa application.

Hope this helps!
Kat.