Nursing is a highly-paid profession in New Zealand. Many international nursing graduates move to New Zealand to work as nurses in healthcare facilities across the country. New Zealand has an excellent health system which is built by a strong network of medical professionals, including doctors and nurses. Therefore, immigrating and working as a nurse in New Zealand requires you to be competent and be able to fulfill the relevant requirements.

What is a nurse practitioner?

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has more experience and a high level of authority working in different healthcare settings. A nurse practitioner needs to have completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to practice in healthcare facilities. They are generally paid higher salaries than enrolled and registered nurses.

Nurse practitioners typically have almost the same responsibility and authority level as doctors. Especially in hospitals, nurses are completely in charge of taking care of in-house patients and attending to the medical needs of all other patients as well.

The tasks and responsibilities include examining patients, prescribing medication, diagnosing illnesses, and recommending treatment plans.  

What are the visa options for overseas nurses immigrating to New Zealand?

Overseas nurses have a range of options when it comes to applying for visa to work as a nurse in New Zealand. Here are some of the most common options available.

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Visa

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is a dedicated visa scheme for skilled workers to apply for residency in New Zealand from their abilities are given points, which also include nurses. Applicants are judged based on several categories, including age, education, job offer, work history, and English language proficiency. Nurses must meet the minimum points requirement to be granted an SMC visa.

Essential Skills Work Visa

The Essential Skills Work Visa is for overseas nurses who have been offered a job in New Zealand. It allows these nurses to work in New Zealand within a certain period, which is typically the duration of the employment contract. The visa is required to meet certain skills criteria and salary requirements.

Long-Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) Work Visa

Qualified overseas nurses with a firm job offer from a New Zealand employer have the opportunity to apply for the Long-term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL) Work Visa. It allows you to set a period to work in New Zealand, which is usually the length of the employment contract.

Post-Study Work Visa (Employer Assisted)

You must be an overseas nursing graduate that has just obtained a nursing degree in New Zealand, to apply for the Post-Study Work Visa, which is an employer-assisted type of work visa. With this visa, applicants are eligible to work in New Zealand for up to two years. It is the best way to gain work experience in nursing in New Zealand and apply to other work and residency visa options that are available.

Work to Residence Visa

The Work to Residence Visa is an opportunity for applicants on their path to work and residency in New Zealand. There are several Work to Residence Visa categories that you might qualify for, depending on the requirements and circumstances.

What are the entry requirements to immigrate to New Zealand as a nurse?

Below are the entry requirements to work in New Zealand for the three types of nursing specialties.

Enrolled Nurse

You must have the following to work as an enrolled nurse in New Zealand:

Complete a level 5 Diploma of Enrolled Nursing

Pass a skills test conducted by an approved qualifier

Pass a test to become a registered nurse

Registered Nurse

You must have the following in order to become a registered nurse in New Zealand:

Complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent Level 7 or Level 8 credential approved by the NCNZ

Pass a skills test conducted by an approved qualifier

Pass an NCNZ-approved test that is especially for registered nurses

Nurse Practitioner

You must have the following to work as a nurse practitioner in New Zealand:

Obtain a minimum of four years of experience as a registered nurse

Complete a master’s program that is approved by the NCNZ

Pass an examination conducted by the NCNZ

How can you immigrate to New Zealand as a nurse?

Follow the below steps to immigrate to New Zealand as a nurse.

Determine your eligibility to work as a nurse in New Zealand, which includes meeting the relevant English proficiency requirements and having professional experience as required.

Conducting a thorough job search via the best healthcare recruitment organizations in New Zealand.

Register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) and ensure that your qualifications, work history, and competence levels meet the country’s requirements.

Apply for an appropriate work visa in New Zealand once you get a job offer.

Conduct health and character checks as required.

Submit your application and await the results to be invited to work as a practice nurse in New Zealand.

How can you register and get a license to practice as a nurse in New Zealand?

It is vital to adhere to the registration requirements set forth by the NCNZ to obtain a license to practice as an overseas nurse. Here are the steps to follow:

Assess your qualifications to ensure that you meet the criteria set forth by the NCNZ to practice as a nurse in New Zealand. This includes having an approved qualification and meeting English proficiency requirements.

Gather the required documents which include degree certificates and academic transcripts, evidence of registration in foreign country, CV, ID, and proof of English proficiency levels.

Complete the NCNZ application form.

Provide supporting documents, including academic transcripts, nursing registration certificates, and evidence of English proficiency levels.

Pay application fees.

Await results while the NCNZ goes through your application for assessment and verification.

Go through the competence assessment conducted by the NCNZ, which includes interviews, written tests, and practical evaluations.

Await the notification of the NCNZ’s final decision regarding the application.

What are the benefits of choosing to work as a nurse in New Zealand?

There are several benefits to working as a nurse in New Zealand, including the following:

Flexible working schedule

Higher levels of job satisfaction

Stable career

Career advancement opportunities

Access to an excellent healthcare system

Healthy work-life balance

What is the salary of a nurse in New Zealand?

Nursing is a high-paying job in New Zealand. A nurse is paid anywhere between 29 NZD and 43 NZD per hour in hospitals and other healthcare facilities across New Zealand. Here is a list of the highest paying cities for nurses in New Zealand.

Auckland City: 39.25 NZD per hour

Mount Albert: 39.22 NZD per hour

Sunnyvale: 36.87 NZD per hour

Hamilton: 34.97 NZD per hour

Waitakere: 32.37 NZD per hour

What are the working conditions for nurses?

Nurse practitioners typically work eight to twelve hour shifts that may include weekdays, weekends, and even public holidays. Nurse practitioners working in hospitals or community health centers typically put in a work week of 40 hours. However, they may encounter demanding conditions at times and may be required to work on call after hours. They may also be required to make local trips to see patients.

Are nurses in demand in New Zealand?

The number of nurse practitioners and all other types of nurses in New Zealand has been rising over the past five years. New Zealand sets very high standards for healthcare, which mean that they mean to build a strong team of healthcare staff. Therefore, there is much demand for the backbone of the health system, which are the nurse practitioners. Their experience is in demand across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and aged care facilities.

How is the New Zealand healthcare system?

New Zealand has a public and private healthcare system, so there are so many opportunities for healthcare employers, especially practice nurses to find jobs in the country. Its public healthcare system covers vital healthcare services, including hospital care, emergency care, and life-saving surgeries.

The New Zealand healthcare system is also very welcoming to overseas healthcare professionals that represent 41.5% of the total healthcare workforce, especially those that have obtained training in foreign nations.

The continuous growth of the New Zealand healthcare system means that there will be more open job opportunities for nurse practitioners in the country in future.

Why should you work in New Zealand?

There are plenty of reasons to work in New Zealand, which includes:

Excellent quality of life

Growing economy

Amazing scenery

Warm and welcoming locals

Good climate conditions

Medfuture has always been in forefront in terms of recruiting highly qualified and experienced healthcare professionals in New Zealand. Visit our job board for the latest and high-paying nursing jobs in New Zealand.

Here’s Why You Need Medfuture for your next nurse practitioner:

Industry Expertise

With years of experience in healthcare and medical recruitment, we have deep insights into the industry. Our expertise allows us to match you with the perfect job that aligns with your skills, preferences, and career goals.

Extensive Network

Medfuture has built a vast network of healthcare facilities and clinics across Australia. This extensive network provides you with a wide range of opportunities, whether you prefer urban or rural settings.

Personalized Approach

We understand that every nurse practitioner is unique. We take a personalized approach to your job search, tailoring our recommendations to fit your specific needs and aspirations.

Streamlined Process

Finding the right job can be time-consuming. Medfuture streamlines the process by doing the heavy lifting for you. We handle the paperwork, applications, and negotiations, so you can focus on your career.

Expedited Placements

Our goal is to get you into your ideal position as quickly as possible. We have a proven track record of placing healthcare professionals in their preferred roles promptly.

Ongoing Support

Our relationship doesn't end when you secure a job. Medfuture provides ongoing support and guidance, ensuring your transition into your new role is seamless and successful.

Commitment to Excellence

We're committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and professionalism in all our interactions. Your satisfaction and success are our top priorities.

When you choose Medfuture, you're not just finding a job; you're securing a healthcare career that aligns with your dreams and aspirations. Trust us to be your partner in your journey to a fulfilling nurse practitioner role in Australia.