NZ's new policy

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Hi everyone! Just want to share my experience in applying for registration at NZ. I sent my application to the Council Oct 2007 with complete requirements. Unfortunately after a long time of waiting, I received a letter from the Council last June 2008 stating that my nursing education wasn't comparable to theirs. I am a second courser and took nursing for 2 1/2 years here. I had my case appealed twice and sad to say again, last December 2008, they upheld with their original decision. It took more than a year for me to wait and to follow up on my application. They said if I still wish to pursue my registration, I needed to take undergraduate programme there.

I've inquired with some NZ schools there. They said cross credits is possible. I've learned in some schools their nursing program is 3 years only. (Huh? To think, here it's 4 years. And in my case, I had almost 3 years of nursing here). I haven't gone further in enrolling and asking for more details as I'm undecided to pursue the NZ path because of this. It's just unfortunate that the new policy has been implemented. And so, second coursers will most likely have a hard time getting registratioin there.

Anyone with the same case as mine? I'm wondering what course of action you've taken, too. Thanks.

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NZ came out with a ruling probably more than a year ago now stating that they are not going to accept any second coursers and they have been sticking with it.

If you took the nursing program for 2 1/2 years, this is not the same as being the three years that their programs require. It is not the same as being a full four year course as a start, and you did not complete your previous training in an approved school of nursing. So those are two of the reasons why your training was not accepted.

This is why second courser programs are accepted in some places, but not all countries. Same goes for the accelerated programs that we have in the US. There are some that are 14 months in length, but they are not recognized for immigration purposes in any other country as well since the minimum training period in an actual school of nursing was not met.

Countries are getting stricter and stricter on what they will accept and not accept.

Best of luck to you with whatever you decide to do.

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I have the same case, the nursing council of new zealand denied my application for registration because I took my BSN for 20 months only. I applied to the Queensland Nursing Council in australia and they recognized my qualifications. I am now undergoing the competency program to fully meet their requirements for licensure.

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NZ is pretty strict with their accredited schools. They actually have a list on a website somewhere which schools are recognized and it's only a few, only those PAASCO accredited universities are included.

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^^^ are you talking about the list of Recognized Qualifications (LRQ) or schools from the NZ immigration? I do not think that Nursing Council of New Zealand has a list of accredited school

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from my experience, they had a list. It's been too long they might have changed it.

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Specializes in Medical surgical nursing.

I'm a second courser but I came to NZ 2 years ago. I was lucky to have accepted here.

Sorry to hear your sentiments guys about the Nursing council's new policy. It's a new government now so new authority in place. The council has changed the IELTS requirement as well. Imagine, all countries except Australia must pass IELTS as language requirement. NZ is setting a high standard nowadays and in case you heard someone (especially a recruitment agency/consultancy) that NZ is recruiting caregivers or healthcare assistant, pls don't believe. Even if they show you a job offer. NZ is not like America that you can work anything out of your line of profession. A job offer doesn't mean that you can have work visa/permit here. So many Filipinos are sent back home because they were denied by the immigration even if they have a job offers from hospital/nursing homes. You are a liability if you are not a skilled worker so NZ doesn't want you. A skilled worker is a person who practices according to his degree or line of profession. If you are a qualified mechanic (with certificate and finished vocational school,etc), when you come here, you don't work as caregiver, you work as a mechanic. If you are a skilled chef or registered engineer, nurse or doctor, etc, when you come here you work the same thing. In that sense, you are considered as an asset in the country and not another dweller who the government needs to look after. It makes a lot of sense, right?

:idea: Knowledge is virtue.

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Specializes in Medical nursing.

joeturtle, how do you apply for competency requirment. is that the bridging course. how do you apply for that? hope you can help me. i've been very interested in aus but don't know where to start. thanks...

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
joeturtle, how do you apply for competency requirment. is that the bridging course. how do you apply for that? hope you can help me. i've been very interested in aus but don't know where to start. thanks...

Please take the time to read the International forum where we have a excellent thread on working in Australia

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Specializes in Medical nursing.

ok, thanks silverdragon102

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hi how much do you spend for everything..from application down from mailing to apply in NZ..?

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Specializes in Medical surgical nursing.

If nursing is your first degree, have passed IELTS with a grade of 7.0 and has hospital experience at least 1 year, then NZ is for you.

I've been reiterating this ever since, do not go to any recruitment agency or consultancy for you to come and work here in NZ. Anybody can apply to Nursing Council to allow you to do your bridging course or competency course. They also have list of accredited schools so surf the net please for your own good. Might as well call the schools of your choice. I'm telling you even emails (of course, telephone conversation is much better and faster), they reply to your inquiry. Be direct to your question especially the procedure, tuition fee, accommodation fee, etc. You don't need to bring books as the library is full of what you need and you can borrow & bring home as many as you can (can you carry 30 books?).

There are so many prowling recruiters who will offer help (c'mon they do business not altruistic activity). Beware of this. Stay away from them. There are lots of job vacancies in the country for qualified and competent nurses. So, take a plunge! All you have to do is surf the internet!

Instead of using .com after google, type, .co.nz. So that it's easier for you to search within NZ. Sorry guys, I think it's not allowed to enter any website here. So figure it out.

All the best!

:dncgbby:

"Stay away from trouble and do salsa!"

Dance while you can.

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