Everyone residing in New Zealand enjoys the benefits of a comprehensive healthcare system. Public healthcare is free or at a low cost for residents, citizens, and people with working visas valid for two years. The Kiwi healthcare system is heavily funded by the government as a way of giving its people equal and just treatment.
New Zealand offers unique and excellent opportunities for healthcare professionals, including doctors, dentists, and nurses. As for nurses, there are around 50,000 registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and nursing practitioners working all around the country. The nurses are of great significance to the country, being the first line of defense and the first people to be called for people seeking assistance or healthcare services. The New Zealand Nurses Organization (NZNO), New Zealand’s largest professional organization representing the nursing profession, has taken action to transform the nursing workforce and develop strategies and actions for the provision of healthcare and nursing services to the people and community, such as health promotion, disease prevention, and whatnot.
With the continuous growth and improvement of New Zealand despite the pandemic, the healthcare workforce of registered nurses continues to shoot up and increase. Many registered nurses seek development and comprehensive training/practice in a country that continuously provides outstanding care and opportunities for its healthcare professionals. For further knowledge regarding the nursing workforce and the steps to become a nurse in New Zealand, please read more below.
How to Become a Nurse in New Zealand
Step 1. Get a Language Proficiency Certificate
It is strongly recommended that students or applicants who are non-native English speakers achieve an English Language Proficiency score of 6.5 in an IELTS, TOEFL, or any equivalent in all four categories, namely reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students whose first language is English no longer need to prove language proficiency upon entering colleges or universities.
Step 2. Complete the Required Nursing Education
Of course, this is a crucial step to becoming a nurse in New Zealand. There are several educational institutions accredited by the Nursing Council offering nursing courses or programs that can lead to registration as an enrolled nurse, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse. Each nursing scope of practice has a different required level of education.
If you wish to be an enrolled nurse, you must complete an 18-month Nursing Council-accredited Diploma in Enrolled Nursing program (level 5 on the New Zealand Qualification Authority framework) from an institute of technology or polytechnic. Whereas, if you would like to become a registered nurse, you must complete a Nursing Council-accredited Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Health Science program (level 5 on the New Zealand Qualification Authority framework), which takes three years to finish.
Lastly, if you wish to become a nurse practitioner, you must complete a Nursing Council-accredited master’s degree program comprised of a structured program with a clinical focus.
Step 3. Meet the Requirements for Registration of State Final Examination
The State Final Examination is a prescribed qualification for entry to the registered nurse or enrolled nurse scope of practice. At the end of each year, schools and institutions are expected to indicate the expected number of candidates to take the examination. The Nursing Council will provide online applications for registration or examination, which must be completed by the candidate at least six weeks before the State Final Examination date, and all necessary fees must also be paid.
Step 4. Pass the State Final Examination
The State Final Examination is an important step to becoming a nurse in New Zealand and includes questions on the administration of safe and competent nursing care and the legal and ethical responsibilities of the registered or enrolled nurse. The questions are designed to assess the applicant’s knowledge of the theories and safe practice of the profession.
The registered nurse examination consists of two papers containing 90 multiple-question items each, while the enrolled nurse examination consists of one 90 multiple-question items paper. To pass the State Final Examination, the candidate must obtain 60% in each of the four key categories in their respective examination.
Step 5. Wait for the Results of the State Final Examination
The candidates can only either pass or fail the examination. Successful candidates shall be emailed with their results, confirmation of registration, and an annual practicing certificate application form. The Registration Certificates shall be sent out to the candidates within a week of registration. As for the candidates who failed, they will also receive an email indicating the result of their examination. Unsuccessful candidates may apply for analysis of their results.
Step 6. Work in New Zealand
After receiving the Registration Certificate, the candidate is already considered a nurse in New Zealand and may now practice the nursing profession in the country.
Step 7. Apply for Credentials Verification with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (CVS-NCNZ)
If you are an international or foreign nurse, you must apply to the CVS-NCNZ to get your credentials verified and authenticated. This process is vital to becoming a nurse in New Zealand. It will assess if your credentials are true and satisfactory. To be eligible to work as a nurse in New Zealand, you must meet all the standards/requirements. The requirements include the following:
- Identity details
- Employment history
- Educational background
- License validation
- Language proficiency
- Registration application fee
To learn more about the detailed required documents you need to prepare, please visit The Credentials Verification Service for the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Step 8. Apply for a Working Visa
After completing the registration requirements, the applicant must get a working visa to enter the country and practice the nursing profession. Australian citizens or residents who hold an Australian return resident visa are not required to file for a working visa; however, for other immigrants who wish to work in New Zealand, a working visa is required to get permission to work in the country.
Step 9. Get Ready to Work in New Zealand
Once your credentials passed in the CVS-NCNZ have been verified and authenticated and your working visa has already been issued, you are ready to work and render services as a professional nurse in New Zealand.
To succeed in New Zealand’s healthcare system, choose the program that aligns with your career goals. The country offers the chance to make a difference in people’s lives and also a vibrant healthcare community for you to join. Begin your journey today!
We hope you found this article on the steps to becoming a nurse in New Zealand informative and helpful. Check out the Study in New Zealand and Available Programs for International Students pages to learn more about studying abroad.
