Competency Assessment Program (New Zealand Nursing Council): Tips and Steps to becoming a NZ Registered Nurse

I have a lot of friends and acquaintances asking me how I came here. I decided to post how I did it and it may help others in reaching their Middle Earth nursing dreams. The Nursing Council of New Zealand has recently changed some of their policies and it pays to read their updates before starting to apply.

Things to consider: (Source: www.nursingcouncil.org.nz) I have the links for the application process but I will just dish out these following criteria for an easy check:

1. Applicants must have completed the required two years post-registration practice, within the immediate 5 years preceding application (no less than 2,500 hours).

- this simply means that you should have 2 years post registration experience within the last 5 years to be considered for application, and the total number of hours should be a minimum of 2, 500 hours or almost 1 year and 3 to 4 months, depending on how many hours you work a day. Newly passed RNs will not be considered as you lack the required post registration length.

- some schools are now particular with the nursing experience, the better you have, the higher probability of getting picked.

2. Pass the IELTS or OET- you need a band score of 7 with all categories also rating 7 each.

- there are some schools here that have increased their IELTS rate to 7.5, so, do your best. A good IELTS score can make a difference.

- An applicant must pass the OET with a score of at least B in each section.

3. And of course, you must be a Registered Nurse in your home country. 

There are more requirements that you have to achieve but these are the most basic ones that you will need initially to start with your application.

Now, there are 2 stages in the application and the above mentioned steps are part of stage 1.

Click here for the link: http://nursingcouncil.org.nz/Nurses/International-registration, and click this   Registered nurse International application form

The links above will provide you all the requirements you will need in each step, Stage 1 will cost NZD 485.00, non refundable. Once approved with stage 1, then they will send you an email and hard copy of the result and will give you the signal to proceed to Stage 2. 

And finally, they will require you to undergo the Competency Assessment Program once you are cleared off Stage 2. Your problem now will be looking for a school, there are approved CAP providers all over the country and you will want  to get an offer of place ASAP. The NCNZ will give you 18 months to look for a school and complete the CAP course otherwise, your approval will expire and you will have to do it all over again. The following link will provide you with the list of schools providing the CAP program.

http://nur3425s2.handel.2day.com/CAP%20approved%20NCNZ%2020Aug09.pdf

If you are doing this all by your own, I'd suggest you apply to all schools listed and accept the first one that gives you an offer. There are limits to the slots available, so I say, just accept the first one regardless of the school's location. And I'm not sure if this is true but it looks like that agencies are given priority of slots for placement. 

With me, I had a hard time finding a school because I did it on my own and got an offer of place after nearly 16 months. I noticed also that the application process is harder when you are overseas, the communication takes time unlike what I've seen here where our fellow Pinoy nurses working as caregivers would receive immediate reply from the council and schools once they submit their applications. That's why it's best if you just submit all your applications to all schools.

Otherwise, if you have a budget, you can find some of the agents that are affiliated here for easier school acceptance. Just be wary of opportunist, scrupulous, money brained agents. One agent I know, she charges NZD 2500, depends on the currency exchange but that will be around Php 80,000.00.

You will need an offer of place from the school before you can apply for your visa. The Immigration will give you a visitor's visa because the CAP course is under 3 months of study. You can extend your visa when it expires and while you wait for your Registration.

The Nursing Council sometimes will deny applications based on some criteria which they will let you know. They may require you to provide additional documents which you will need to submit ASAP. But they can deny your applications even if you have provided supporting documents, if this happens:

           What if I disagree with the decision?

             You may disagree with the decision and want to discuss the outcome or provide further information. If this is the case, you should write to the Registration Manager explaining why you disagree with the decision and setting out any concerns or questions you have.

Don't be afraid to speak your mind, this is New Zealand, they listen! I was declined due to the reason that apparently, my school's education standard was not in standard with NZ nursing school even if I have provided all the supporting documents they asked. I made a letter and defended my transcript and the supporting evidences I have submitted and after a week from rejection, I received a positive answer and they wanted me to do the CAP.

Now, I'm on my second year here in NZ, 1 year and 8 months as a Registered Nurse. I had a hard time coming here but it was all worth it! Hope to see you soon, fellow RNs!

I'll do my best to answer questions if you have.

ta!

******Hi everyone, I am really sorry for not answering many of your questions. I have been really busy these past few months that I haven't checked this blog. So, I've read your comments and thank you (thousand times) for those taking time to answer questions of other hopeful (then successful) applicants. Certainly, there's like several changes in the process with NCNZ being online now and to which I don't have any idea how it works. So, once again, Thank you, Maraming Salamat po, to everyone who answered. See you all here in NEW ZEALAND. Be kind to one another. Best of Luck to everyone!!!


----rachel, 29/06/16