New Zealand is a popular choice among international nurses. The updated New Zealand Nursing Registration process offers excellent opportunities for Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQN) currently practising in their home country. This allows them to pursue a career in nursing in New Zealand without needing to complete additional programs like CAP.
This updated process has made it easier for nurses from all over the world to practise nursing in live in New Zealand. Nursing in New Zealand is under the Long Team Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) or Green List Roles, this enables Indian nurses to apply for an Essential Skill Work Visa or directly apply for a Straight to Residence Visa.
This article provides well-researched and clear details about the New Zealand Nursing Registration process, including processing times and the necessary steps. It also addresses some of the frequently asked questions from nurses interested in pursuing a nursing career in New Zealand. The article is overseen by a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA). If you are a qualified nurse planning to relocate to New Zealand, consider applying for Nursing Registration through West Highlander. Our proficient team, led by the experienced LIA Ms Parwinder Kaur, can assist you with document verification, registration, and the resident visa process step by step.
New Zealand Nursing Registration Processing Time
The processing time for New Zealand Nursing Registration is around 6 to 7 months. The whole process is divided into several steps:
- Initial document verifications by CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) take around 30 days to complete.
- Following this, there is an additional 30-day period to review the report and authorize CGFNS to forward it to the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ).
- Subsequently, it takes 30 days to apply for Nursing Registration with the NCNZ.
- Once the application is with the Nursing Council, the assessment process commences, lasting approximately 4 months from the submission date.
Throughout this period, the Nursing Council of New Zealand precisely reviews the applicant’s credentials and qualifications to determine eligibility for nursing registration in the country. It’s crucial to understand that the processing timeline for nursing registration in New Zealand can vary depending on individual circumstances and any additional requirements that may arise. Therefore, it’s recommended that applicants keep track of their applications and ensure the timely submission of all necessary documents and information to expedite the procedure.
Although the processing duration may appear lengthy, it’s important to remain patient and well-informed during registration. Once the assessment is finalized and nursing registration is approved, individuals can anticipate embarking on a nursing career in the developed nation of New Zealand.
After registration, nurses have the option to apply for a Straight to Residence Visa. The entire process, from document verification to obtaining the resident visa, typically takes about 6 to 9 months.
New Zealand Nursing Registration Process
The nursing registration process in New Zealand has been simplified and updated. The revised procedure set forth by the New Zealand Nursing Council aims to streamline the registration process for Internationally Qualified Nurses seeking to practice in the country. By implementing these updates, the council seeks to provide a more efficient pathway for nurses from around the world to contribute their skills and expertise to the healthcare system in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Nursing Registration process involves multiple steps. Meeting various documentation and requirements is essential, and Internationally Qualified Nurses must pass specific tests to meet these criteria. Here are the steps involved in the process:
Step 1: Document Verification at CGFNS
The first step of the procedure involves document verification at CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools). Here various documents are authenticated, such as your identity, work experience, qualifications and nursing registration in your home country. The documents required include:
Identification: One essential document that requires verification is your Identity. To meet this criterion, candidates must provide coloured copies of a certified valid passport and one another identity document containing a clear photo of the applicant for current name verification. All identity documents submitted for registration with CGFNS must be valid at the time of application. The accepted forms of photo identification (ID) documents include:
- Passport (compulsory)
- Driver’s License
- Other government-issued ID
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce certificates
English language Requirements: The IQN must pass two language proficiency tests, IELTS and OET, to qualify for Nursing Registration in New Zealand.
IELTS Academic: The minimum band score required is 7 in reading, listening, and speaking, with a minimum of 6.5 in writing.
OET (Occupational English Test): IQN candidates must achieve a minimum score of 350 in speaking, listening, and reading, and a minimum of 300 in writing.
Applicants have the option to meet the minimum required English Language test scores by taking the test multiple times within a year of their initial attempt. Nurses can fulfil the score requirement in all four modules by submitting the results of two tests taken within 12 months. This adaptable approach allows candidates to pace themselves and improve their scores over time. By allowing multiple test sittings in a year, candidates can focus on specific areas for enhancement and steadily work towards achieving their desired scores. This strategy promotes a growth mindset, enabling candidates to showcase their language proficiency gradually. It advocates for an inclusive testing method that highlights continuous learning and progress.
Current Registration: Applicants must submit documentation confirming their current registration with an overseas registration authority. They are required to supply details from authorities outside the country where they have been registered and practised within the last 10 years. Applicants should ensure that the documentation they submit clearly demonstrates their current registration with the relevant overseas registration authority. This could include providing certification or verification directly from the regulatory body in the country where they have been registered and practised. It is important to include detailed information about the duration of registration, any specialisations or restrictions on practice, and any relevant professional achievements during this period. By providing comprehensive details from authorities outside the country of recent practice, applicants can strengthen their application and showcase their qualifications effectively.
Nursing Qualification: The CGNF also require some academic documents to verify the nursing qualification of applicants. Documents confirming nursing qualifications equivalent to New Zealand standards, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing leading to registration, must be provided. These academic records should match New Zealand qualifications, including your degree, certificate, and transcripts. These standards are essential for upholding healthcare excellence in New Zealand. Meeting these criteria enables IQN to actively enhance the healthcare industry in New Zealand and provide exceptional care to patients across the country.
Work Experience Certificate: Nurses who wish to obtain Nursing Registration in New Zealand are required to have at least 1800 hours of nursing experience within the past 10 years after registration. After meeting this requirement, applicants can begin the Nursing Registration process in New Zealand through CGFNS.
Remember, applicants must initially apply to CGFNS to verify their documents before applying directly to the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Apply for New Zealand Nursing Registration
Upon completing document verification at CGFNS, applicants are eligible to apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Multiple steps must be fulfilled by nurses to meet the requirements for Nursing Registration in New Zealand.
Step 2: Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand online courses
The initial registration stage involves two free-of-cost online courses that nurses must finish to get an intro to culturally safe nursing practices in New Zealand. These tests are accessible for completion from home and consist of:
- Assessment 1: Ngā Paerewa Te Tiriti Module 1
- Assessment 2: Foundations in cultural competence
Step 3: Fitness to Practice Checks
All nurses must complete the next steps of the process, including a Fitness to Practice check-up. This check will be requested once you receive an invitation to apply for registration with the Nursing Council. Here all applicants undergo an International Criminal History Check (ICHC) conducted by Fit2work.
Step 4: Theoretical Examination
This examination is the first part of the competence assessment that some nurses need to fulfil in order to become registered nurse in New Zealand. This theoretical exam is online and can be taken at the Nursing Council-accredited exam centre, Pearson VUE internationally. It is a multiple-choice test with 120 questions. The time limit for this exam is 3 hours. This exam has two parts:
- Part A: Medication Safety
- Part B: Nursing Knowledge
Applicants have three attempts to pass the exam. They must pass both part A and part B to be eligible for the OSCE Exam. If they do not succeed in passing the exam or any part of it on their first try, they can retake it.
Step 5: The Clinical Competence Assessment
OSCE stands for Objective Structured Clinical Exam, which involves a detailed two-day orientation and preparation course, followed by a 3-hour OSCE exam on a separate day. This clinical assessment is held in person at an approved examination centre in New Zealand. Candidates have the opportunity to attempt the exam up to three times. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must visit New Zealand on a New Zealand Visitor Visa.
These were the five steps involved with the New Zealand Nursing Registration process. Applicants need to keep in mind that each step is important and plays a significant part in the process.
New Zealand Nursing Registration from India
Indian nurses seeking to become registered nurses in New Zealand and kick-start their nursing careers in the country can receive expert guidance from West Highlander. With over 18 years of experience, our director, Ms. Parwinder Kaur, an LIA – Licensed Immigration Adviser, is fully qualified and authorized to assist you every step of the way. The New Zealand Nursing Registration process may appear overwhelming, but with West Highlander’s guidance, you can feel confident that the process will be smooth and hassle-free. From Nursing Registration to visitor visas for the OSCE exam and residency visa applications in New Zealand, we ensure a seamless and effective process. Our priority is to deliver excellent services to ensure your journey is stress-free and successful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How long does the nursing registration process take in New Zealand?
The nursing registration process takes around 4 to 5 months, after CGNF document verification.
What are the requirements for New Zealand nursing registration?
The requirements for New Zealand nursing registration are:
- Nursing Qualification
- Current Nursing Registration
- 1800 hours of clinical practice
- IELTS: 7 in all, except 6.5 in writing
- OTE: 350 in all, except 300 in writing
- Valid Passport
How do I get a nursing license in New Zealand?
To get registered as a nurse in New Zealand you can choose any of these paths:
- Study Bachelors of Nursing in New Zealand
- Apply for nursing registration to New Zealand Nursing Council if you have qualifications and experience
Do I need IELTS to work as a nurse in New Zealand?
Yes, the applicants who wish to become registered nurses in New Zealand need to fulfil IELTS requirements. The required IELTS band score is 7 in listening, reading and speaking; and 6.5 in writing.