Work in New Zealand as a Nurse

What do nurses do?

A nurse uses their considerable nursing knowledge & judgement to protect a patient from the risks and repercussion of disability, illness, and infirmity, as well as from the risks and consequences of the treatment of illness. A nurse plans care around a patients medical condition, emotional state & provides support to the patient and their family. The nurse also is the link between the patient and other medical practitioners, such as a doctor or specialist.

According to the Australia/New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation, the main duties of a Nurse may include:

• Monitoring and writing down a patient's condition/ behaviour.
• Carrying out physical examination and diagnostic tests.
• Gathering patient health histories.
• Steering patients and their families.
• Educating patients about treatment plans.
• Dispensing medications, wound care, and other treatment options.
• Delegate work to enrolled nurses and health care assistants

Career Progression

Nurses advocate for health promotion, educate patients and the public on the prevention of illness and injury, provide care and participate in rehabilitation and support. A given day may look like:

• Working in a public or private Hospital
• Private or community doctor's practice/ clinics
• Schools
• Nursing Homes
• Conducting health check-up in community settings
• Provide aged or private care at a patient's home

Once you gain experience as a Registered nurse, you may then progress to become:

• Nurse Manager, who can manage teams, wards or operating theatres
• Nurse Practitioner - they diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medicine, and may run their own health clinics.
• Nurse researcher, perform scientific research in specialist areas

Nurses are in demand

There is an ongoing need for nurses in New Zealand. The majority of registered nurse graduates gain employment within months of graduating. The best prospects for employment are in aged care, primary care and mental health & addictions.

Aged care nurses are in particularly high demand. As a result, registered nurse (aged care) is currently on the Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging experienced registered nurses from overseas to work in aged care in New Zealand.

Longer term, the prospects for this occupation continue to look positive, given the increased life expectancy of the general population and ageing nursing workforce in New Zealand.

What is a nurse salary in New Zealand?

Pay varies on the skills, experience and the type / complexity of work that the nurse will do.

Enrolled nurses working for district health boards

• Graduate enrolled nurses working for district health boards earn $49,000 a year.
• Enrolled nurses with one to four years' experience usually earn $51,000 to $57,000.
• rolled nurses provide care for patients while under the direction of a registered nurse or nurse practitioner.

Source: District Health Boards/New Zealand Nurses Organisation, 'Multi-Employer Collective Agreement: 4 June 2018-31 July 2020', accessed October 2019.

Registered nurses working for District Health Boards

• Graduate registered nurses salaries start at $52,450 a year
• Registered nurses after five years' experience usually earn up to $72,944 a year
• Senior registered nurses with more experience and responsibility usually earn $79,000 to $130,000.

Source: District Health Boards / NZNO Nursing and Midwifery Multi-Employer Collective Agreement 4 June 2018 - 31 July 2020

Do you have what it is required for being a Registered Nurse in New Zealand?

The ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) in New Zealand lists the following for a Registered Nurse:

• a bachelor degree or higher qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1)
• Registration or licensing is required.

Requirements for an Enrolled Nurse:

• NZ Register Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2)
• Registration is required

Registration requirements

Registered / Enrolled Nurses need to be registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.  This board promotes safety for all New Zealanders by ensuring the competence of all nurses.

Nursing Council of New Zealand

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Registered Nurses in Aged Care are on the Long term skill shortage list

The Long-Term Skill Shortage List is a list of skilled occupations that are in sustained shortage all over New Zealand.

For a Registered Nurse (Aged Care) the LTSSL requirement is as following:

• NZ Registration in the scope of practice as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, AND
• A minimum of three years work experience in adult hospital care