Australian Nursing student wanting to work in NZ for new grad year

[Ellie.H]

Hi all,

I am a NZ citizen studying a double degree bachelor of nursing practice/bachelor of midwifery at Monash University in Melbourne Australia, I am due to finish at the end of this year and am wondering if there is anybody out there in the nursing world who has completed their degree in Australia and been successful at getting a position in NZ for their new graduate year? I am just seeking any advice or information on the process, I have my heart set on moving home, I have been told positive things from professionals in NZ as I have a double degree but am a bit worried after reading some threads.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Ellie :)

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Welcome to the site

Moved to the Australian/New Zealand forum

[Leggings and Lattes]

Hi, Ellie!

Here's what I can tell you. The NETP Programme (for nurses) is only open to NZ citizens/residents. As long as you get your practicing certificate, you'll have no issues with getting your registration. The FYP (First Year of Practice) midwives are either supervised in the community by a midwife who acts as their supervisor/mentor (if they are trying to be LMC's), or they are mentored in the DHB with certain restrictions placed on their patient load and mandatory rotations across antenatal/delivery suite/postnatal. I know you can register with the Midwifery Council once you have Oz registration, but I don't know what kind or if you will have restrictions on your practice certificate.

[Leggings and Lattes]

Oh, as for experience, you have to really pick one or the other. You won't get experience for both. The areas are so different, and Women's Services rarely see outlying patients. I hear midwives grumbling about the hassle of trying to satisfy the Nursing Council's requirements to get their practicing certificate. Most let the nursing lapse for this reason, and because there is no extra pay for dual registration. Also, they don't like getting thrown an outlying orthopedic patient that they are expected to care for, and they've never cared for that type of patient before...they say it's a safety concern...understandably.

Good luck, and hope this helps!