catzohm

Me Again!
Yet More Questions!!

My better half is a nurse so we feel that she has a very good chance of being offered residency, if this happens how do I stand? I could probably move out with a job offer as a HGV driver but this occupation is only on the immediate skills shortage list. Would it simplify the process if we just applied on the strength of my wifes occupation and I went as spouse, or is it better to apply jointly with both of us having jobs to go to? I would not intend to stay as a HGV driver as my first love is bricklaying but my quals only equate to level 2 on the kiwi scale and I need level 3 to apply as a brickie.

Once again
Thanks in advance!!

Gill and Rob

Apply with your wife as the principal applicant and you as spouse, you can then work in any occupation you wish.

This is what Rob and I did. Your wife will have no difficulty finding employment as a nurse. Any nursing questions, just ask.
Cheers
Gill

catzohm

Thanks for the info, as you would expect we have loads of questions to ask before we can make our minds up. Reviewing the posts on this site however is for the most part not very encouraging, more offputting than anything else (killing the dream, or putting it into reality!!). Many, many negatives on the cost of living/ housing front, similar on pay rates, could it be that NZ doesn't live up to peoples expectations? As for nursing, MBH is a community based nurse (Primary Care Generic Nurse), she has no interest in hospital based nursing. How does this area of nursing compare with UK? are there any major differences in practice that you know of? As for nurses pay we've been quoted a salary of between 50-60000NZ$ but some posts on this site are suggesting more like 35-45000NZ$. Which given the moans about COL would suggest it's barely adequate. We have also heard that UK Quals and experience don't count for much over in NZ, is that the case? Finally (for know!!), between us we could reasonably expect to earn between 80 - 100000 NZ$, is this adequate? (probably,South Island) If not, it would suggest that a lot of people in NZ are living in conditions defined as poverty or even extreme poverty. Yet we do not hear anything that suggests that these conditions exist to any significant degree, unlike the US where we are very aware that such conditions do exist and are quite widespread.

Thanks in advance

Paul & Gaynor @ catzohm

Gill and Rob

Hello
First of all nurses salaries in the health service for general nurses covered by the NZNO Union are covered by a MECA {Multi Employer Collective Agreement}. This covers all 21 District Health Boards {DHB's}, so salaries should be the same whereever you work. Salary is based on years of experience. Nurses have just had a 20% pay rise that is being phased in between Jan 05 and June 06. This would gives nurses with 5 years plus experience $54, 000 per years basic {June 06}. At the moment I think the increments so far have it at about $50,000. This is the staff nurse scale, District Nurses are paid at a slightly higher rate, but not much so. There are huge talks going on at the moment about the "Senior Nurses" pay scale. This covers nurse specialists, nurses educators etc and I think they are trying to include some district nurses into this. Penal rates are paid for week ends/ evenings/night duties.

One thing you can do to increase your salary is to compete a Professional Development and Recognition Programme {PDRP}, at level 3 it is an extra $2,500 per year and at level 4 $4,000 per year. These are offered at all DHB's I think.

As for qualifications, it depends on where you go. It won't help with wages, but it will certainly stand you in good stead for promotion or going for senior posts. There is no grading system in NZ, which does create several problems with regard to seniority and succession planning.

District nursing is quite different from the UK from what I gather. {I work in a hospital}. There are no specific training courses to work in the comunity !! Big difference will include wound care and having to cost dressings etc, particularly for patients covered by ACC {accident compensation}. However nursing is nursing where ever you go. NZ is well used to having nurses from all over the globe working here.

Practice nurses are not covered by the MECA and are paid at the staff nurse grade {around $20 per hour}.

$80-100,000 is more than adequate to live on, hoever it depends on what your tastes are

Hope that helps you, anything more specific send me a PM.
Cheers
Gill

CarolynG

Agree with Gill and Rob. I am a nurse and have just been through the immigration process. PR visa just approved leaving for Auckland in 6 weeks time. I had no problem getting a job and the whole process was very straight forward. The only thing I would say is that I have both hospital and community experience in the UK and the agency I found work through were not encouraging about me getting a community job. Because of culture difference they prefer some hospital experience in NZ before overseas nurses can apply for community jobs. From what I can gather salary for nurses in NZ is based on years of experience although Gill will know more about this. If your BH has more than 5 years experience she should be able to get a job paying around $50,000.

Good luck

Carolyn