Filipino Mental Health Nurse applying for NZ registration

[nurse_psych]

I have been trying to look for a case/situation similar or least close to mine but I haven't so I created a new topic.

I have been a volunteer psychiatric nurse for 3 years now with an MA in Clinical Psychology, hence, I am able to practice the same duties and responsibility of mental health nurses abroad (e.g. providing evidence-based therapies). What are my chances of being accepted? There seems to be opposing responses here about counting volunteer experience as clinical experience - others say NZ Nursing Council doesn't consider it while others say it does. I hope someone can enlighten me. Thank you!

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

2500 employed clinical hours does not equate to volunteer. Are you a registered nurse? NZ only recognizes NP, RN, EN. They do not have specialized psychiatric nurse licensing like the UK and western Canadian provinces.

If you are not a licensed RN in your country of education it does not matter. Employment references are required not volunteer references.

There are not many countries that recognize the mental health nurse credential. The U.K. and western Canada like BC. A MA in clinical psychology does not override the mandated basic nursing education.

In other countries psychiatric therapies are provided by licensed psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, licensed counsellors, and licensed therapists

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Maybe you can qualify as an intern psychologist (masters in psychology minimum of equivalent to NZ standards)

Registration Information

Registration Information

[nurse_psych]

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it. Yes, I am an RN since 2008. Thanks for clearing it out that volunteer experience doesn't count. Just that I have read from previous answers here that NZ and Australia consider volunteer experience unlike in Canada where they specifically indicate paid experience.

[nurse_psych]

Also, would you have an idea if I still need to take CAP once I finish Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing (Level 8) in NZ?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Don't you need to qualify as a nurse first? Most nurses from the Philippines require CAP. Especially if no recent paid experience

[nurse_psych]

That's what confuses me. For me to be able to take CAP, my application must be considered first by the council. And it seems that nurses here working in psychiatric and mental hospitals/institutions have less chance of getting registered because it may not be recognized since they have a separate strand for mental health on their bachelor level.

How I wish they have the same definition for "practicing" in UK because NMC clearly defines it and indicated on their guideline, "This can also include volunteer work as long as anypractice is registered."

Anyway, I truly appreciate your responses, JustBeachyNurse. I really needed some enlightenment if I'd continue applying for NZ registration because it's $650. :)

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Contact the council directly but know there hasn't seemed to be much of a need for overseas nurses in NZ for a while. With a MA in counseling psychology look at the psychologist intern route. Very few countries count volunteer experience even though the Philippines uses volunteer nurses like paid staff that's not enough to sway registration boards