Nurses!
 

I'm a British nurse working for the nhs within district nursing. Have ten years experience which includes surgery and general medicine too. Planning the move to New Zealand. What's can you tell me about nursing in New Zealand 😃

Re: Nurses!
 

Tell you about nursing in New Zealand? .... they're understaffed, overworked, underpaid, etc, etc. ;)

Re: Nurses!
 

They are always very pleasant and look happy, but this is from an outside view. There is sure to be someone with experience on here.

Re: Nurses!
 

What would you like to know?

I movd over about 8 years ago with 17-18 years experience in surgery and ED in major city in UK.

My main problems were securing appropriate work as many adverts here require 2 years NZ experience even for aged care. It took me 4 years of doing casual work in aged care and various other things before I secured a permanent semi-decent role. Since then though I have got a great job in community palliative care - but it takes times. I also have 3 degrees as well as my nursing - so have good education record too but this doesn't make a huge difference as it is the NZ experience that they want. Bit of a catch 22 if you ask me

So if anything specific let me know :)

Re: Nurses!
 

Surely the nurses can't be as over worked and under staffed as us? I'm commonely finishing late. Have hours and hours of time owing. Things seem to get worse in the UK. I just wanted a general view. Sort of what to expect. I do not mind busy at all. Or pressure . But not to breaking point. I wondered if things were more relaxed in NZ. 😃

Re: Nurses!
 

Is your nurse training at degree level?

If not you may find registration a bit tricky.

Re: Nurses!
 

To be honest, same job, different country. Same pressures, work late, short staffed - no different - just near the beach for me!

My friend worked in ADU at North Shore Hospital and it was so busy, short staffed etc

We are too even in palliative care, often only have 2 staff on to cover our area - ideal is 4 but rarely achieved

Pay is average or below NHS, holidays are 4 weeks no extras. I used to get about 7 weeks in the NHS with bank holidays but it doesn't work the same here

Not sure what else to say. Just my experience

Re: Nurses!
 

Erm :unsure:

As always, it all depends on funding and area.

Anyway moving right along to the practicalities not all areas of nursing are in shortage demand in NZ currently.

Perhaps let us know what quals you have. How many years of practice and in what area you nurse. That will help folk help you.

Re: Nurses!
 

Grayling is correct - I believe you can now only register if your nursing is a degree - same as Australia

Re: Nurses!
 

Has the poster not got the required degree then? I didn't look.

Nursing Council NZ

Re: Nurses!
 

Don't know but it has not been mentioned.:confused:

Needs checking though as there is no point in getting too excited about moving if you are unable to register in the first place.

Re: Nurses!
 

Agree.

Re: Nurses!
 

I'm a nurse working in mental health. I get 4 weeks pro rata then a week of shift leave (5 days) then public holidays (I think there are 11 here) so certainly get enough time off.

One big difference is you work almost exclusively with other nurses (no HCAs or ENs to spread the load out) but I prefer this as it helps with tricky calls.

In terms of pay comparison came from step 2 of Band 5 (about £22000 a year) into a position at $50,000 when the dollar was $2=£1 so nice pay increase for me. Now I earn about £24000 equivalent even with the dollar drop we had recently. Soon enough it'll be up to $66000 not including antisocial hours payments so I don't moan too much about pay.

Re: Nurses!
 

I suppose even the same pressures. Similar money must be better in a nicer place than South Yorkshire 🙊

Re: Nurses!
 

Are you able to register?

If you have degree level training then that is the first hurdle cleared....if not then you really need to sort that out first.