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

Interested Party · Mar 25, 2005

Hi Caroline

Yes, there are quite a number of midwives who work independently. As far as I can recall, for as long as you can satisfy the requirements outlined by NZNC, you will have no problems getting your registration. Has NZNO recommended you do more studies or hours at a local hospital and if so how many practical hours do you need to complete? Usually, after receiving their recommendations, you will then need to approach a tertiary provider and discussed your needs with the nursing dept and they will assist with getting placements so that you can complete those hours. I don't think there are any short cuts. NZNC can usually provide you with a list of tertiary providers whom you can contact and all of them are accessible by email.

As recent as last week, I heard that nurses & midwives are gettting a decent pay increase. You might want to access the NZNO (NZ Nursing Organisation aka Nurses Union) website as they will probably have up to date stuff on pay increases.

You've probably worked this out ................. but do try the websites of the different Health Boards (via google or yahoo search ) and email them to get more info about their facility, location etc.

Hope this helps .......................... IP

Highland Queen · Mar 26, 2005

Hi Caroline
Yes, there are quite a number of midwives who work independently. As far as I can recall, for as long as you can satisfy the requirements outlined by NZNC, you will have no problems getting your registration. Has NZNO recommended you do more studies or hours at a local hospital and if so how many practical hours do you need to complete? Usually, after receiving their recommendations, you will then need to approach a tertiary provider and discussed your needs with the nursing dept and they will assist with getting placements so that you can complete those hours. I don't think there are any short cuts. NZNC can usually provide you with a list of tertiary providers whom you can contact and all of them are accessible by email.
As recent as last week, I heard that nurses & midwives are gettting a decent pay increase. You might want to access the NZNO (NZ Nursing Organisation aka Nurses Union) website as they will probably have up to date stuff on pay increases.
You've probably worked this out ................. but do try the websites of the different Health Boards (via google or yahoo search ) and email them to get more info about their facility, location etc.
Hope this helps .......................... IP

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

As far as I can work out I don't need to do any extra hours before practicing.

However my scope of practice will be limited for a time until I fulfil some of the midwifery council requirements. i.e. midwifery prescribing course, NZ maternity system, midwifery partnership, Treaty of Waitangi & cultutal Safety. These need to be done within 18 months of registration. Won't be able to take on a LMC post until these are done. So I'll have lots to keep me busy.

Yes I have been on the Health Board sites thanks. Only thing is they don't tell you if they are a good or bad place to work. That really would need to come from someone that's actually worked there. I'm sure NZ is the same as everywhere else & some places will be better to work in than others!!Thanks again, Caroline -x-

Interested Party · Mar 26, 2005

Hi Caroline

I have worked at MidCentral Health in Palmerston North (Manawatu region) for a number of years. I know a few independent midwives there too. I have no complaints about this hospital. Midwifery prescribing course, NZ maternity system, midwifery partnership, Treaty of Waitangi & cultutal Safety are standard courses which you have to do no matter which hospital you work for. And you are right about some hospitals being better to work for compared to others. I am sure you will enjoy working anywhere, anyway.:) IP

Highland Queen · Mar 28, 2005

Hi Caroline
I have worked at MidCentral Health in Palmerston North (Manawatu region) for a number of years. I know a few independent midwives there too. I have no complaints about this hospital. Midwifery prescribing course, NZ maternity system, midwifery partnership, Treaty of Waitangi & cultutal Safety are standard courses which you have to do no matter which hospital you work for. And you are right about some hospitals being better to work for compared to others. I am sure you will enjoy working anywhere, anyway.:) IP

Thanks IP. Hadn't thought of Palmerston North. Had a recommendation to stay clear by a mw working in Bay of Plenty. Said pay wasn't good there and conditions not too hot. But maybe things have changed and conditions are now better!! Saying that mw from the 'Midwifery Today' forum said she wouldn't work as a mw in Hastings (lets just say she was less than complimentary about the docs and there attitudes towards the mw's!!)

Anyway hope to get registration stuff away within next few weeks. (Senior Midwife on hols, and need her to sign verification of clinical skills and practice). Then lets hope we can really get a move on with everything.It's so frustrating once you've made up your mind to take that life changining step, you just want to get on a plane and start your new life. But as they say , patience is a virtue and all good things come to those who wait!!

Thanks again

Caroline :cheers: :)

Kiwi Ali · Apr 3, 2005

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 :)

Hi,

The pay increase is across the board, nationally for all DHB nurses and midwives, so pay conditions and contracts will be the same nationally. Have a look at the MECCA stuff on the NZNO website - MECCA stands for multi employer contract something or other .

I work for Kaitaia Midwifery Services, who have the contract from the Northland district Health Board to run the delivery and postnatal ward at Kaitaia Hospital. I'm an RN and work nights. Awesome place to work, about 6 midwives cover the area, some belonging to the Iwi provider, and some to KMS.

Whangarei hospital (same DHB) has a large D/S and copes with 'abnormal' and complicated births as well as straight forward ones, they have a postnatal ward that also covers for A/N's and has an attached SCBU.

Good luck in your job search. My birth Mum came out from England to work as a DN and found it easier to be sponsored by an employer, just for the paperwork side of things.

Ali :-)

Kiwi Ali · Apr 3, 2005

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 :)

http://www.midwiferycouncil.org.nz/

shazniko · Jan 2, 2008

Hi,
The pay increase is across the board, nationally for all DHB nurses and midwives, so pay conditions and contracts will be the same nationally. Have a look at the MECCA stuff on the NZNO website - MECCA stands for multi employer contract something or other .
I work for Kaitaia Midwifery Services, who have the contract from the Northland district Health Board to run the delivery and postnatal ward at Kaitaia Hospital. I'm an RN and work nights. Awesome place to work, about 6 midwives cover the area, some belonging to the Iwi provider, and some to KMS.
Whangarei hospital (same DHB) has a large D/S and copes with 'abnormal' and complicated births as well as straight forward ones, they have a postnatal ward that also covers for A/N's and has an attached SCBU.
Good luck in your job search. My birth Mum came out from England to work as a DN and found it easier to be sponsored by an employer, just for the paperwork side of things.
Ali :-)

Hi Ali

I am a scottish midwife considering emigrating to New Zealand. I would love to work in the northland region. Does Whangarei hospital allow midwives to work in the attached scbu or do they employ nurses to work there? The reason I am asking is that Whangarei would be our first choice to live and work. We are coming out for 3 weeks holiday in February so will be checking out different areas. Are the nurseries and schools good in Whangarei? It's just my two young children are only 1 & 3.

I have 12 years experience (direct entry trained) but I am also neonatal trained so would love to continue working in the scbu. However, I believe that there are different rules in New Zealand re: midwives not being core staff in scbu's.

I would be really grateful for any advice or information.

Thanks

Sharron

Kiwi Ali · Jan 4, 2008

Hi Ali
I am a scottish midwife considering emigrating to New Zealand. I would love to work in the northland region. Does Whangarei hospital allow midwives to work in the attached scbu or do they employ nurses to work there? The reason I am asking is that Whangarei would be our first choice to live and work. We are coming out for 3 weeks holiday in February so will be checking out different areas. Are the nurseries and schools good in Whangarei? It's just my two young children are only 1 & 3.
I have 12 years experience (direct entry trained) but I am also neonatal trained so would love to continue working in the scbu. However, I believe that there are different rules in New Zealand re: midwives not being core staff in scbu's.
I would be really grateful for any advice or information.
Thanks
Sharron

Hi Sharron, I believe SCBU is staffed seperately, and mostly by RN's. I also know that at present Whangarei are desperate for midwives!

Here is the email for Lynn Wardlaw who comes to Kaitaia for maternity meetings and may be the one to talk to about vacancies .. [email protected] otherwise try this page http://www.northlanddhb.org.nz/careers/

I'm not sure about nurseries (we call them daycare) in Whangarei, but I am sure there will some good ones, you may be able to ask Lynn for help with that.

I hope that helps some :-)

Ali

shazniko · Jan 4, 2008

Hi Ali

Thanks for the reply.

I have already emailed Lyn Wardlaw as I got her email address from the

NDHB website. I'm just waiting on a reply from her.

Thanks again

Sharron

Kiwi Ali · Jan 5, 2008

Cool

Might catch up with you at an inservice sometime all going well.

Ali

shazniko · Jun 21, 2008

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could help me. I have applied for my NZ residency visa under the skilled migrants category as I am a midwife. However, if I get accepted, do I HAVE to work as a midwife or would I be allowed to persue a career change? I haven't claimed points for a job offer, just work experience. Looked on immigration website but couldn't see anything regarding this.

Thanks very much.