US-> NZ without recent experience?

[Zee369]

Hello! I am wondering at my chances of having my credentials verified to be able to work in NZ.

Background: I received my BSN in 2014, and worked full time as an RN for about 1 year. After that I took a non-nursing position in the military and had children, so other than occasional volunteer work I have been out of nursing for about 6 years. I still have an active US compact license.

The NZ site states you can apply for verification without the necessary 2,500 work hours in the past 5 years, but that approval is “not guaranteed”. I have heard there is a nursing shortage there, so I am wondering if there is a chance they would approve me based on my school and licensure without the work experience. I am planning to get back into nursing in the next few months, but only on a PRN basis for now. At that rate it would likely take a full 5 years just to get the 2,500 hours!