Read our comprehensive guide to studying Nursing Programs in NZ. Find Courses, Universities, and PR Pathways for International Students.

Are you considering a rewarding career as a nurse in New Zealand? Besides being an asset to your community and helping people, you also get to enjoy a balanced lifestyle in a safe country. Currently, there is a shortage of nurses in the country, which is good news for internationals looking to find a PR pathway in NZ, as this means it is currently on the skills shortage list (Green List). So whether you’re a foreign-trained nurse or still completing your studies, you’ll be able to find work, start earning, and begin exploring PR options shortly after becoming accredited. If you’re interested in finding out more about studying or working as a nurse in New Zealand and migration options, talk to us today!

Benefits of working as a nurse in New Zealand

According to the New Zealand Government careers website, there are a few good reasons why New Zealand is an excellent choice to develop your nursing career, including:

High demand and promising job outlook for nurses

Right now, New Zealand needs more nurses, particularly those working in mental health and aged care, as well as Plunket nurses, who provide health care and developmental assessments for infants and toddlers.

Overall, the government is looking to recruit more nurses because:

  • New Zealand’s ageing population requires increasing support from aged care nurses. Registered nurses in aged care are included on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, and having this specialty can boost the number of points in your PR application

  • Increased funding has been allocated for nurses to work in much needed specialities, such as mental health, addictions, paediatrics and delivering school-based programs

  • An estimated 50% of nurses are due to retire by 2035

Good salary

Experienced nurses in New Zealand earn above-average wages.

  • For enrolled nurses with 1-4 years’ experience, the average salary ranges from NZD $51,000 to NZD $57,000

  • For registered nurses with 3-7 years’ experience, the average salary ranges from NZD $62,000 to NZD $77,000

  • For senior registered nurses, the range is between NZD $79,000 to NZD $130,000

Flexible hours

Depending on your workplace, there usually is an option to take on a flexible roster of day shift and night shift to work around your family and other commitments

Job variety

Your job will vary from day to day as you work within multidisciplinary teams, helping people from different backgrounds, and managing their unique health challenges.

  • You can choose your workplace: such as public and private hospitals, medical and family planning clinics, aged care homes or schools. Some nurses are also required to travel locally to visit patients in their own homes.

  • Specialise in a particular field of expertise: critical care and emergency, aged care, community health, perioperative, mental health, Plunket or private practice nursing

You’ll be able to find a job quickly after graduating

According to data from Nursing Education in the Tertiary Sector, 85% of graduate registered nurses from November 2018 found a job within 4 months.

You’ll also improve your chances of landing work if you:

  • Choose locations and sectors which are experiencing a nurse shortage

  • Apply through the Advanced Choice of Employment (ACE) program or voluntary bonding scheme

Nursing courses and career options

Once you’ve decided to pursue a nursing career, it’s important to consider which scope of practice is most suitable for you. There are 3 main nursing qualifications available in New Zealand:

Enrolled nurse (level 5 NZQA)

In this role, you’ll practice under the supervision or a registered nurse or nurse practitioner. You must complete an 18-month Diploma of Enrolled Nursing to achieve this qualification. Additional study is required to become a registered nurse.

You can complete your diploma at Whitireia New Zealand, Waikato Institute of Technology, Otago Polytechnic, Southern Institute of Technology, Northland Polytechnic and Manukau Institute of Technology.

Registered nurse (level 7 NZQA)

As a Registered Nurse, you can practice independently, manage more complex cases, implement care plans, work within multidisciplinary teams and supervise junior nurses. You’ll need to complete a 3-year Bachelor of Nursing degree first.

Here are some of the top undergraduate nursing degrees offered in New Zealand:

  • Bachelor of Nursing – Ara Institute of Canterbury, Eastern Institute of Technology, Manukau Institute of Technology, Massey University, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Northland Polytechnic, Otago Polytechnic, Southern Institute of Technology, University of Auckland, Toi Ohomai Insitute of Technology, UNITEC New Zealand, UCOL University College of Learning, University of Waikato, Waikato Institute of Technology, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, Whitireia New Zealand

  • Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) – Auckland University of Technology

Nurse Practitioner

For this role, you will use extra skills and knowledge to have a more autonomy in your practice than a registered nurse. Your training will help you to become a lead health care provider, deliver more comprehensive and advanced patient care, as well as improve health care access and outcomes for the community.

In addition to completing your undergraduate nursing degree and becoming a registered nurse, you’ll need to take the following steps before qualifying as a nurse practitioner:

  • Have a minimum of 4 years’ experience practicing in a specific specialty

  • Complete a master’s degree that is approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand

  • Pass a nurse practitioner assessment that is set by the Nursing Council of New Zealand

  • To become a nurse practitioner with the authority to prescribe medication, you’ll need to complete additional prescribing studies in your area of specialty as part of your master’s degree

Here are some of the top courses that can help you obtain your master’s qualification:

  • Master of Nursing - Ara Institute of Canterbury, Eastern Institute of technology, Massey University, University of Auckland, Waikato Institute of Technology

  • Master of Health Science in Advanced Nursing Practice - Auckland University of Technology,

  • Master of Advanced Nursing Practice – University of Otago, Christchurch

  • Master of Nursing Science – Victoria University of Wellington, Auckland University of Technology

  • Master of Nursing Science (graduate entry) – University of Otago, University of Auckland

  • Master of Nursing Practice (graduate entry) - Victoria University of Wellington

  • Master of Clinical Practice – nursing (graduate entry) – Massey University

How to apply for a nursing registration after graduating

After you’ve finished your studies, you’ll need to obtain a registration to begin practicing as a nurse through the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

This process involves passing both an assessment of Nursing Council Competencies by an approved provider, as well as passing an examination set by the Nursing Council.

Your registration application must also include the following information:

  • Evidence of support for registration from the head of the school of nursing at which you studied

  • People of good standing in the community acting as referees. You need to put down 2 referees who knew you during your nursing studies, for example, your sporting coach. This person cannot be a relative, flatmate, classmate or teacher from your nursing course

You’ll also be asked to sign a declaration which states that you:

  • Comprehend and communicate English effectively to protect the health and safety of the public

  • Will not act in a manner that endangers public health or safety

  • Are physically and mentally fit to practice

How overseas qualified nurses can become registered in New Zealand

If you’re a foreign trained nurse who has practiced overseas, there is a pathway for you to transfer your accreditation to New Zealand.

You must complete an application process for registration through CGFNS that costs USD $300/ NZD $485. These are the steps you’ll need to take:

Submit documents and evidence

  • Identity documents (such as your passport)

  • Employment history: you must show that you were employed for 2 of the last 5 years (2500 hours of work)

  • Education history: including an academic transcript of your Bachelor of Nursing degree, description of your course, previous education

  • Licence to practice nursing in your country

  • IELTS results: you’ll need a minimum score of 7 for reading, writing, listening and speaking

Request for your CGFNS report to be sent to the Nursing Council of New Zealand

If your report is approved, you’ll receive an email from the Nursing Council inviting you to complete the last part of your registration application, which involves:

  • A criminal history check: undergoing an International Criminal History Check

  • Passing the Competence Assessment Program: a 6-12 week course to help you to introduce you to the specific requirements of practicing nursing in New Zealand

Apply for an Annual Practicing Certificate

Upon successful completion of your registration application

How to obtain New Zealand Permanent Residency

You’ll need to be granted a Skilled Migrant Category Resident visa, which operates on a points system. To be classified as a Skilled Migrant, you must be earning at least NZD $38.25 per hour, or $79,560 per year working 40 hours a week. Here’s how to apply:

Submit an Expression of Interest

This can be completed through the New Zealand Immigration website. Make sure to include your qualifications, work experience and provide a description of your employment.

Be invited to apply for a PR

If you meet the criteria and threshold, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for a PR. Currently, only applications which contain greater than 160 points are being considered.

How to maximise your points

There are 4 additional criteria which can help attract more points in your application:

  • Age: if you are between 20-39 years old, you’ll receive the highest number of points in this category

  • Skilled employment: you must be able to demonstrate that you’ve been offered, or are already working in skilled employment

  • Work experience: you’ll need a minimum of 2 years’ work experience to earn points in this category. Greater than 10 years’ experience offers the maximum points. If you’re a Registered Nurse (aged care), which is on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, you will be granted more points. Alternatively, having at least 1 year of work experience in New Zealand is favourable.

  • Partner: more points are available in this category if your partner has demonstrated certain attributes. This includes achieving an IELTS score of 6.5 or more, or they have spent years living in a mainly English-speaking country, gained a Level 7 or higher NZQA degree in that country, or they have skilled employment or have been offered it

If you’d like to learn more about migrating and working as nurse in New Zealand, or you’re considering taking on a nursing career, contact us today to speak to a friendly IDP consultant.