Tips for nurses who are planning to work in New Zealand

Today, you will learn some essential tips for nurses who are planning to work in New Zealand. Get ready to begin a nursing career in New Zealand.

Let us start with some of the reasons why international nurses are moving to New Zealand.

The nursing profession will allow you to work in any part of the world. But why should you move to New Zealand as a nurse? The common reasons why nurses are planning to work in New Zealand are:

• Easy recruitment process
• Pathway to many other countries
• PR within 3 years
• Move with family

Jobs in New Zealand for nurses are widely increasing due to several reasons, including an aging population, an unhealthy environment, and a shortage of nurses in the healthcare setting. That’s why the recruitment process becomes easier, which will attract international nurses to join their workforce.

However, you should have thorough planning about the New Zealand nursing journey to move to New Zealand as a nurse. How can a nurse move to New Zealand? Let us discuss.

Before confirming New Zealand as your working country, determine the requirements for an international nurse in New Zealand.

Each country has different criteria for registration. To become a nurse in New Zealand, you need to register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ). The New Zealand nursing registration process is different from that of other countries.

Requirements to work as a nurse in New Zealand are,

• Your identity proof
• English proficiency
• Minimum 1800 hours of work experience
• CGFNS Verification
• Health check
• Competent to assessment(CBT and OSCE)
• NCNZ Registration

Many of you still think that the New Zealand CAP program is an inevitable requirement that has changed to CBT and OSCE at the beginning of 2024. There are also updates for OET and IELTS scores for nurses in New Zealand.

BONUS CONTENT: New Updates from New Zealand for Internationally Qualified Nurses

So, to become a nurse in New Zealand, you need to have the above requirements.

Once you have the requirements for NCNZ registration, you’ve got to validate whether a New Zealand nursing career is beneficial for you.

Understanding the benefits is necessary to determine whether you should shift your career to New Zealand or not. Checking whether New Zealand nursing is beneficial because:

• Comparing the salary benefits will helps to make wise decisions
• Work life balance might be different
• Flexible working hours will make you more comfortable
• Checking whether paid holidays are available or not

The benefits of working as a nurse in New Zealand are completely explained in the article, “Top 6 Benefits of Working as a Nurse in New Zealand”

After understanding the benefits of working as a nurse in New Zealand, you must ensure you have the necessary documents for your visa application.

You can apply for a visa through an employer in New Zealand who is willing to sponsor you. Alternatively, you can directly apply for a visa with the assistance of reputable recruitment agencies for nurses. Carefully go through the visa options in New Zealand.

Even though many countries face nursing shortages in their healthcare settings, you should check whether there are current openings for your specialization.

For a detailed understanding of the current openings, you can approach trusted consulting firms. A New Zealand nurses recruitment agency in India, Career Grids, with a large network of healthcare employers worldwide, can help you find openings for your specialization.

Why is it important to check the demand for your specialization?

• This will increase job security.
• Your skills and specialization can continue.
• The current demand will increase your chances of earning a high salary.
• Will increase networking opportunities for employers.

Public hospitals, private clinics, elderly care facilities, and community health organizations are among the potential employers. Networking with fellow nurses, attending job fairs, and utilizing online job portals can help you find suitable employment opportunities.

If you are satisfied with the current openings of your specialization, get ready for the cultural change. Moving to a new country might initially be difficult for you, but the above tips will reduce your complexities.

The culture of your home country is far different from that of New Zealand. So, as a final step, you need to know some basic details about New Zealand culture.

New Zealand is best known for its

• Picturesque Landscape
• Long white clouds
• Dense rainforests
• Maori culture

Take the time to learn about Kiwi culture, customs, and etiquette to integrate more seamlessly into your new environment.

You can earn a higher salary in New Zealand than in many other countries. However, you must know about the living costs in New Zealand

Living expenses might vary depending on your location and lifestyle. You should create a budget that accounts for expenses such as accommodation, transportation, healthcare, groceries, and leisure activities. To effectively manage your finances, consider factors such as currency exchange rates and taxation.

To make the above steps possible, you need the guidance of a nursing agency. From requirements to relocation support, an agency will be best for your New Zealand nursing journey.

To choose the best agency for your nursing journey in New Zealand, follow some guidelines like:

• Checking the agency’s reputation
• Check whether the agency is specialized in nursing.
• Check if they have international connections.
• Check whether they offer relocation support.
• Check how transparent they are.

For more details refer to “How to Choose the Best Nursing Recruitment Agency?”

Here is all you need to know while planning to work in New Zealand as a nurse. For a safe New Zealand journey, follow the tips we shared above. These tips will make your registration and relocation stress-free.

Career Grids, a nursing recruitment agency, can make your relocation to New Zealand more simple.

Start your registration process today