How to Become a Registered Nurse in New Zealand?

The Indian healthcare system is booming like anything, however, nursing is considered an underrated profession in India. Despite this in India, for medical aspirants who are searching for alternatives to MBBS and other fields, the opportunities for nurses have increased.

For students searching for the best countries to become nurses other than India, New Zealand is the best option. New Zealand country has a great need for Nurses. Every year many internationally educated/qualified nurses register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. The abundant career opportunities, higher salaries and flexible working schedule attract many nurses to work as registered nurses in New Zealand.

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This Story also Contains

1. How to Become a Registered Nurse in New Zealand?
2. How to Become A Registered Nurse In New Zealand From Overseas?
3. Requirements For Registered Nurse in New Zealand
4. What is a Credential Verification Service?
5. Documents Required for Credential Verification at CGFNS
6. Is CAP Exam Cancelled in New Zealand?

Now the question is how to become a New Zealand nurse from India. If you have completed your bachelor's or master's in nursing, then you can become a registered nurse in New Zealand. Along with your degree, you require decent work experience and English language requirements to qualify as a registered nurse in New Zealand.

Candidates who meet the requirements can register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and practice nursing in New Zealand. Read the article below, which details the essential information and requirements to become a registered nurse in New Zealand from India.

How to Become a Registered Nurse in New Zealand?

There are two pathways to work as registered nurses in New Zealand. They are as follows.

• Internationally qualified nurses can apply for a nursing license in New Zealand registration.

• International students can study nursing courses in New Zealand and register for a nursing license in New Zealand.

Based on your qualifications and interests you can choose any pathway. We will first discuss the pathway for internationally qualified nurses.

Internationally Qualified Nurses

Who are internationally qualified nurses(IQN)? The IQNs are nurses who completed their nursing education and obtained a nursing license from overseas. Indian nurses with nursing license and work experience can seek this IQN pathway to work as nurses in New Zealand.

In New Zealand, there are 3 scopes of nursing practice:

• Enrolled Nurse

• Registered Nurse

• Nurse Practitioner

The application processes for nurse practitioners and enrolled nurses New Zealand are the same as for registered nurses. Only the eligibility criteria vary in each scope of practice in New Zealand.

How to Become A Registered Nurse In New Zealand From Overseas?

There are a series of steps to be followed for IQN to register as a nurse in New Zealand. Check the process mentioned below.

• Check the eligibility requirements set by the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ).

• Apply for the credential verification service at CGFNS International.

• Once verified, attend the Aotearoa New Zealand online courses for nurses.

• Indian nurses need to apply and qualify for the assessment of competence as per the report of credential verification (if required)

• Qualify the test and then apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Once you get your nurse registration in New Zealand, you can apply for jobs and work in New Zealand. You can check the detailed breakdown of the process on how to become a registered nurse in New Zealand through the information mentioned below.

Requirements For Registered Nurse in New Zealand

The Nursing Council of New Zealand has laid eligibility requirements for registered nurses in New Zealand. Nurses from India or international countries can check the requirements mentioned below.

• Completed bachelor's or master's degree in Nursing

• Hold a work experience of 2 to 3 years as a Registered Nurse

• Proof of English language proficiency like IELTS(7.0) or OET.

Here, the mentioned education and experience can be from the home country (i.e., India) or any other international country. The eligibility criteria is the essential step in the process of how to become a registered nurse in New Zealand.

What is a Credential Verification Service?

Internationally qualified nurses who like to practice nursing in New Zealand have to undergo the credential verification service(CVS -NCNZ), to check whether their education and work experience qualifications meet the standard of the nurse registration NZ.

Where to apply for the Credential Verification? The CGFNS International is the website where you can apply for the credential verification service for nurses.

Documents Required for Credential Verification at CGFNS

While applying for credential verification at CGFNS, you are required to submit the following document mentioned below.

• ID proof: Notarized passport/driver's license/government-issued photo identification.

• English language proficiency proof: IELTS scores (7.0) or OET scores.

• Nursing registration license

• Nursing work experience proofs

• Nursing education certificates

English Language Requirements for Nursing Registration

To work in New Zealand, nurses require English language proficiency. To show your English language proficiency there are 3 pathways.

• English language test scores.

• Evidence of English education in approved countries

• Nurse registration license showing the candidate passed the English language test for obtaining registration in approved countries.

For the English test-based proof you can either appear for IELTS or OET. The required IELTS score is 7.0 in reading, listening, and speaking. Whereas for the OET, you must achieve 350 in reading, listening, and speaking and 350 in writing sections.

For the 2nd and 3rd pathways, the approved countries list are as follows.

• United Kingdom

• United States of America

• Canada

• Ireland

• Singapore

Aotearoa New Zealand's online programmes

All internationally qualified nurses must undergo the online courses offered by the Nurse Council of New Zealand. These online programmes provide the safe nursing practices of New Zealand. At the end of the course, there will be short quizzes based on which the certification will be given. After taking these online courses you can appear for the assessment of competence, the details are given below.

Competent Assessment Tests & CAPs in New Zealand

Every internationally qualified nurse has to take the assessment of competence to demonstrate their ability to practise in New Zealand. All Indian and other internationally qualified nurses are required to take these tests. Only nurses who obtained nurse licenses from USA, UK, Ireland, British Columbia, Ontario, and Singapore need not require to appear for this assessment of competence.

What does an assessment of competence include? The assessment consists of two tests

• Theoretical Exam

• OSCE Exam

The theoretical test is an online exam, which can be taken from anywhere from the accredited Pearson exam centres. The OSGE is a 3 hours long clinical exam that needs to be attempted in New Zealand country. The OSGE is an objective Structure Clinical Exam.

Is CAP Exam Cancelled in New Zealand?

No. The Competence Assessment Programme (CAP) is a registration qualifying exam for Nurses in New Zealand. Those who applied to the Nurse Council of New Zealand before December 4, 2023, are required to take both CAP and assessment competence tests. For all the new nurses registration NZ, the CAP exam is not required.