over50

First thanks very much for the replies, makes me feel a bit better knowing age isnt too much of an issue. Am on nights at present working in the NHS in the UK theatre based as a First Assistant, covering Obstetrics and Gynae cases. My better half is working from home with the small business we currently have selling organic natural products mainly skin care and baby things.
We have been pondering a while about leaving the UK and decided NZ was going to be the place.After saying we were going to wait till after Christmas to put the EIO in we think maybe we should just bite the bullet and do it now, why wait. Hopefully if a ITA is granted then i canset about my nursing registration in NZ . Job wise not sure how to approach any ideas from anyone having been in the same situation. There isnt an Expo until April now next year.
There is just the two of us, no dependents to worry about just a house to sell when we find out for def. all is okay to proceed.
We are looking to immigrate to Blenhiem where I know they are extending the hospital there so every chance of maybe securing a position.
Better half wants to take up horse riding, I think he fancies riding on the beach........ while I fancy my hand at sailing........ who knows dreams may well come true.
Well hope I havent bored you all too much, will be glad for any advice or help you can all offer.
Dee

Maz

Go for it Dee! With your qualifications and experience you'll be welcomed with open arms. Get your stuff off to NZQA as quickly as possible. I've not dealt with them myself, but I've heard horror stories about the time they take. Maybe someone else in the health profession will have some words of wisdom for you.

over50

cheers Maz, hopefully there's someone that can advise or shed light on some issues.
Dee

P2L

Hi Dee
We are in Blenheim and from Northants too! Small world

If you contact Frenchy on here by PM ( or wait till tomorrow and I'll tell her to look on here) she works for the Wairau Hospital and could point you in the right direction as far as the DHB are concerned

Any general info about the area, please sing out. ( whereabouts in Northants are you BTW?)

BEVS

Bored us ? Are you bonkers?
The more 50 pluses , the better IMHO.
Not that I'm biased , you understand

BEVS

karma for being in the exact right decade.

over50

well thanks for all your replies its good to know there are others over there that are willing to offer advice and words of wisdom its very encouraging. Talk about a small world yes...... we live in Corby and have lived here for about 2 years now after having moved from the northeast. Steve is from Durham orginally and I am from London orignally. Corby now is like a little Poland with more western europeans expected which is okay except for when you go shopping and think you are in Poland........ seriuosly though the town is expanding soooooooooooo much that Kettering and Corby will soon be 1....
It would be good to be able to talk to someone about nursing in NZ and job prospects so would really appreciate you passing on my details. Its nice to know that there are others of similiar age thinking or have moved to NZ it's bought a big smile to my face
So is Blenhiem as gorgeous as we have seen through our research Kev and Sarah? Is there anything you miss about the Uk places, food etc that maybe you can't get there...?
Anyway before this posting goes on and on and everyone over there falls asleep I shall sign off and wait a reply..... have a good day all of you I'm off to work......awwwwwwwwww
Dee & Steve

over50

Oooh Bev your the one who put the smile on my face....... cheers...and where abouts in Blenhiem is everyone..... district wise....?
Dee & Steve

Maz

Small world Dee! I used to live in Northampton (Kingsthorpe Village) and work in Corby at British Steel. I'm amazed how you say the two towns are growing so rapidly! I have fond memories of going for bowling nights in Kettering with all my colleagues and their families.

I thought Corby was a mini-Scotland, or have the Scots started leaving now?

over50

Not yet Maz, they are just surrounded now by the eastern and western europeans. The town is still lovely though and has got 80 million poundds being invested into it over the coming few years. Housing increases are 250,000 in the next year so it is growing rapidly. I can't wait to be somewhere less crowded with fresher air and room to move. Was going to do our EOI today started off well then when we got to birth cert numbers and passports we realised these are presently in post for new passports, dam will now have to wait till these come back hopefully within the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile we are going to sort out other paperwork in the hope of being offered ITA instead of leaving it to the last minute and have a good clear out at home also, maybe have a car boot sale when I'm off next.

Frenchy

Hi there!!!

My name is Dawn (yes Dawn French but not the famous one!) I had 27 years NHS exposure in the UK working mainly in Community as a Tissue Viability Nurse and since conducting my PGCE in 2004 I was employed as a specialist practitioner in community education (nurse prescriber too)

I took up post as a specialty clinical nurse in cardiology, diabetes and respiratory at Wairau hospital in January this year. I am only slightly younger that you Dee.

Although Blenheim is expanding the population still is only approx 27,000 and the new hospital will not initially have many more beds. My role here has no resemblance to the UK role. Much less stress and a totally different specialty. To be honest at first I missed my old role so much and I was well out of my comfort zone I had so much to learn and I missed Walsall as I had worked for the same PCT for 25 years!!! I really missed that security that I knew exactly what I was doing and was very worred about the loss of prescribing skills.

What you have to do is look out of the box almost, if you enjoy theater and peri/post op you would need to consider general surgery as they don't employ separate gynae theater staff.at Wairau Womens health may be another option??

Perhaps a theater charge nurse/coordinator role?

If you work in a 'staff nurse' type role the pay is not brilliant but if you can secure a specialist post then its pretty good (pm me if you want more info!!)

Its really tough to come out here and work in a role that isn't your preference or specialty and you are well out of your comfort zone. But the DHB are so supportive of professional development and in my experience nowhere near as much pressure is put upon you performance wise. Just give us a yell if you need any help.

Blenheim is so lovely I met Sara today at the Marlborough garden party FAB event. The weather here is very good lots of sunshine (along with Nelson the sunniest NZ region). The area is expanding rapidly and I am sure you would both do well!! Keep us informed!!!

LOL
Dawn

over50

Hi Dawn,
I have pm you but thanks very much for all the helpful advice. If Kev and Sarah are watching this thread we owe you a drink so mark it down as the first thing to do when we meet up.......
Dee & Steve

over50

ooooo Dawn I forgot to mention was it the manor you worked at? I did some work there a few years ago over in the east wing, rather enjoyed it and certainly enjoyed the drinks after work.....
Dee

Frenchy

Yes I was attached to the Manor Dee I have e mailed you as cant believe you have the same surname as my maiden name Worrall!!!! How weird is this folks, a very un-common surname too!!!!!

You know so many strange things like this have happened to me around the NZ journey its so bizarre!!

over50

oooooooherrrrrrrrrrrrr spooooooooooooooky..........lol..... well I never gawddd .... I have sent you an e.mail now wouldnt it be even stranger if your birthday was the same also...??????
So any of you got any bad experiences in applying for immigration to watch out for..... this is one great site and we thoroughly enoy coming in here to view postings on all aspects of living in NZ , this in itself is one hell of a great experience. What on earth are we going to be like when we get the ITA I have no idea..... I think you will hear the screams of joy from over there when that happens.... can't wait now... we are wishing for the passports to hurry up and come back now so this can move forward.