Hoping to move to NZ this year. Midwifery info. needed.

[Highland Queen]

Hi, am hoping to move to NZ this year. Had been hoping for August but may well be October. Am married with 2 kids (11 & 7 ). Have been a midwife for 13 years now and have wanted to come to NZ for about 10 yrs now. Have finally convinced the hubby (though it didn't take much convincing once we'd been there!). Have been working on getting over there since we came back last year. Long drawn out process. Midwifery registration alot more complicated AND more expensive than nursing registration. Anyone know why. Is it because midwives work more independantly in NZ? Anyway, suggestions how to make this process easier would be greatfully received. Have also got the Prescribing course from Wellington, to be started as soon as I've sent my registration stuff away!! It's never ending.

First choice at the moment is Hawkes Bay area, 2nd is Marlbourgh so anyone know about working in these two areas, it'd be great to get some more info. working, schooling, areas NOT to live in etc. etc. We're pretty flexible though about choice of location as long it's not too far south. Coming from the Highlands of Scotland we're keen to get away from the long cold , wet winters and short summers. As beautiful as it may be!! Heard that there's going to be a pay increase for nurses and midwives. Is this so? Hope ther's someone out there that can help, Thanks

Caroline :)

[suzanne4, RN]

Suzanne4

I am a direct-entry trained midwife and DONT need to be RN trained to be able to gain NZ registration or a PR visa. Dual trained midwives are going to be few and far between now as that is the way the training is going now.

If I was changing career, it certainly wouldn't be within nursing, it would be something entirely different.

Shazniko

Ther person that posted stated that they were interested in trying another field, that is hard to do when you do not hold a license for that. If it is nursing or a related field, it is going to require the RN license at some point.

And as a direct entry midwife, then you never held RN licensure to begin with. Correct? That is something altogether different here as well.

The person that is asking was trained first as an RN, and that is where the difference is as well.

[shazniko]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what Whangarei is like to live in? Are there good schools? What shopping facilities are there?

Does anyone work in Whangarei hospital? I am a midwife and considering working there.

Any other information would be gratefully received?

Thanks

[Kiwi Ali]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what Whangarei is like to live in? Are there good schools? What shopping facilities are there?

Does anyone work in Whangarei hospital? I am a midwife and considering working there.

Any other information would be gratefully received?

Thanks

I live 2 hours north of Whangarei, which makes it my closest city. Personally I hate big cities and Whangarei is 'just right' in terms of size. I have worked and trained at Whg hospital, its the main hospital for northland, and is a great place to work. The delivery unit is always crying out for staff :) There is an attached postnatal/antenatal ward and a SCBU.

Any complicated births get booked or transferred to Whg from the outer lying smaller, rural hospitals (like the one I work at).