Thrilling adjustments are occurring for internationally certified nurses (IQNs) seeking to work in New Zealand. The Nursing Council has applied a brand new competence evaluation process, ranging from December 4th, 2023.
To make sure that all nurses practising in New Zealand meet the best requirements of competence and professionalism, the Council now requires candidates to endure a brand new evaluation course of. This consists of a web based theoretical examination and a medical examination.
In case you’ve already submitted your software earlier than December 4th, 2023, don’t fear – you’ll proceed together with your current competence evaluation program (CAP).
It’s essential for IQNs to know these adjustments and the way they may impression your software course of. The Nursing Council has ready an 18-month transition interval (from 2024 to mid-2025) throughout which each the present CAPs and the brand new competence examination course of can be operational.
Initially specializing in Registered Nurses, the roll-out of this new system is about to pave the way in which for Enrolled Nurses within the close to future.
On this weblog submit, we are going to present a complete overview of the brand new necessities and information you thru the steps wanted to satisfy them. Don’t miss out on this chance – begin your journey in the direction of turning into a nurse in New Zealand right this moment!
Step one in the direction of registration as a nurse in New Zealand is to have your paperwork verified and authenticated by the Fee on Graduates of Overseas Nursing Colleges (CGFNS). This is applicable to all nurses, no matter their nation of origin or stage of expertise. The CGFNS will evaluate your nursing training, work expertise, and language proficiency earlier than issuing a report that you should utilize when making use of for registration with the Nursing Council.
Along with this preliminary verification course of, all nurses should additionally full the Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand program. This program consists of two free on-line programs that cowl subjects akin to cultural consciousness, skilled ethics, and authorized necessities for practising nursing in New Zealand. The one exception to this requirement is Australian nurses who’ve a distinct pathway to registration.
For some nurses making use of for registration, the Nursing Council can also require an evaluation of competence. This evaluation consists of each a theoretical examination and a medical competence evaluation course of. The theoretical examination assessments nursing data and will be taken on-line at an accredited examination heart abroad or inside New Zealand.
The medical competence evaluation course of consists of two components: a two-day orientation and preparation course adopted by a three-hour Goal Structured Scientific Examination (OSCE). The orientation course covers subjects akin to an infection management protocols, communication expertise, and drugs administration particular to New Zealand’s healthcare system. The OSCE is a medical examination that assessments your capability to use nursing data and expertise in a simulated affected person care setting. Each the orientation course and the OSCE are accomplished in particular person at an accredited heart in New Zealand.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Nursing Council of New Zealand’s up to date competence evaluation necessities intention to make sure that all nurses practising within the nation meet excessive requirements of professionalism and competence. As an internationally certified nurse seeking to work in New Zealand, it’s important that you just perceive these new necessities and take steps to satisfy them.
Guarantee that you’ve got your paperwork verified and authenticated by CGFNS earlier than making use of for registration, and full the Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand program as required. In case you are chosen for a competence evaluation, be ready to take each a theoretical examination and a medical competence evaluation course of consisting of an orientation course and an OSCE.
By assembly these necessities, you’ll display your dedication to excellence in nursing apply and enhance your probabilities of success in acquiring registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Good luck!
FAQs:
The Council has launched the brand new course of to
- provide an goal, standardised, and constant strategy to evaluate competence
- shield public security by being goal and truthful whereas requiring data of New Zealand’s distinctive apply setting
- uphold the rules of Te Tiriti o Waitangi by requiring culturally secure apply, examined within the OSCE
align with different worldwide regulators taking the same strategy.
It’s a Nursing Council requirement for internationally certified nurses to finish the ‘Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand’ on-line programme previous to turning into registered.
The programme at the moment consists of two free on-line programs that may give you an introduction to culturally secure nursing apply in New Zealand and to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
You could find out extra by clicking right here and scrolling all the way down to ‘Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand programme’.
No. There can be no change to the present English language necessities.
Additional details about the present English language proof pathways will be discovered right here. As soon as on the web page, scroll all the way down to ‘English Language’.
In case you utilized earlier than the brand new system was put in place, (04 December 2023), and you might be required to endure a competence evaluation, you’ll have the chance to take a Competence Evaluation Programme.
Discover extra info right here.
The Nursing Council is creating a devoted pathway to registration for Enrolled Nurses and till that’s prepared, the next course of is in place:
- Confirm your paperwork by CGFNS, an exterior firm.
Discover out extra right here.
- Apply for registration to the Council.
You may solely apply for registration to the Council AFTER you might have had your paperwork verified by CGFNS. Examine our necessities right here.
- The Council will then let you realize what it’s essential to do.
Nurses with a present Australian practising certificates have a separate course of.
Underneath the TTMR settlement, you’ll apply to the Nursing Council right here.
The Nursing Council charge to course of your software is $485 (New Zealand).
There are extra prices from exterior suppliers. Discover out extra info right here.
All charges paid are non-refundable.
Sure, that is your first step.
CGFNS is the Nursing Council’s solely accredited supplier of verification companies.
You will have to submit your paperwork and have them verified by CGFNS earlier than you possibly can start your software to the Nursing Council for registration.
No.
You should first confirm your paperwork with CGFNS earlier than you possibly can start your software for registration with the Nursing Council.
After your paperwork have been verified and authenticated by CGFNS, an e mail can be despatched to you from the Nursing Council inviting you to use for registration.
CGFNS will ship all of the paperwork you might have supplied on to the Nursing Council.
Sure. The Nursing Council will inform you how and when to do that however for extra info, click on right here, and scroll all the way down to the Health to Practise requirement.
All purposes are individually assessed and the size of the method varies relying on what is required.
If the Council assesses your software and says you require a competence evaluation, you will have to efficiently full a theoretical and a medical examination as a part of the registration course of.
If the Council requires additional documentation from you or paperwork are lacking from the appliance, the method will take longer as we observe up.
The Council additionally require all internationally certified nurses to take the ‘Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand’ on-line programme to introduce you to culturally secure nursing apply in a New Zealand setting, and to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. You then add your completion certificates.
All IQNs additionally want to finish a legal historical past test, because the Council wants to ensure nurses coming to practise in New Zealand are of excellent standing. That test must be accomplished earlier than registration happens.
Examine the necessities to finish your software right here.
You may observe the progress of your software through MyIQN, the Council’s on-line portal.
You may withdraw your software at any stage.
Nevertheless, all charges you might have paid are non-refundable.
Writer Particulars
Vandana Rai
(LIA 201400900)
Director
Vandana Rai is a Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser and has constructed a popularity round her uncommon set of expertise, which could possibly be thought-about best for her authorized career.

