Cali_Kiwi

Hi @EmilyFutureRN! Due to some family issues back in the USA, I needed to take compassionate leave from my nursing programme at University of Canterbury. However, this provided me the opportunity to apply for the University of Otago for the same programme you're in and I got accepted for 2026 start. Like you, I am also concerned about eligibility to work in the USA upon graduation (California and Oregon are the two states I'm looking at, as my hometown is near the border). I would love to connect with you and discuss the track you're on and how you managed to get the necessary clinical/education experience. I would also like to know your experience with the Otago programme and whether you recommend moving to Christchurch full-time, or if the structure of the course allows living outside of the region. Hope all is going well for you!

Hi @EmilyFutureRN ! Wow, thank you so much for the positivity. It's honestly been a nightmarish week for me trying to figure everything out, and the people I've been most afraid to speak with directly are my program and clinical directors! I am worried about causing offence due to my desire work both in NZ and in my home country. My understanding was that many of the programs in NZ are sensitive to training nurses who then leave. Reading about your experience has given me some hope. Hopefully my program directors are as supportive as yours! I'll see if I can send you a private message so we can connect. I am based in Queenstown but will be traveling to Christchurch regularly for courses.

Hi @EmilyFutureRN! I am in the same situation as you. I am a US citizen (from California), and also a NZ citizen, about to enter a two-year accelerated Masters of Health Science in Nursing from the University of Canterbury. My goal is to become registered in both NZ and either California (which is extremely rigid) or Oregon. I am not as familiar with the requirements for becoming a foreign trained registered nurse in Oregon, but interested in knowing more if you have any information. I read somewhere that both California and Oregon are considering becoming compact states (and I believe Washington is already), so an avenue could be to become registered in a state with less requirements around paediatrics and obstetrics (ensuring the state is compact) then transfer over. I am hoping to request hours in maternity and women's health for clinical experience, but I've heard that they can be very reluctant to let student nurses in those wards. How did you approach your school about your situation? I have also thought to look into whether any of my hours at school in NZ would transfer over to a LVN program/registration, then look for LVN to RN programs in the States. Regardless, please let reach out if you would like to discuss and work together on finding solutions, as we are both in relatively unique situations.

Hi @EmilyFutureRN and @espaghet ! I am also an American citizen with New Zealand citizenship, about to begin the Masters of Health Science - Nursing through the University of Canterbury in 2025. I am interested in transferring this degree over to the USA (specifically, California or Oregon) as my immediate family are based in Northern California. The hope is to be a travel nurse going between the two countries, as I am more permanently based in NZ but aspire to go back to Northern California/ Southern Oregon to be with my family. As far as I can tell, the NZ degree (through Canterbury and other NZ based Universities) is deficient in Paediatrics and Obstetrics theory and clinical hours. Have either of you found a way to receive these hours through a NZ education, either by adapting your nursing studies or taking additional courses? California has a demanding requirement in which theory and clinical must be taken concurrently, so just getting experience in through work does not appear adequate. I am not sure about Oregon, however. Also, are either of you aware if we need to have work experience prior to applying for the CGFNES? Any communication around this would help significantly, and likewise, happy to impart any knowledge/information I gain. Thank you!