I’m an American citizen and I’m planning on becoming a nurse (not sure about whether I’ll be RN or NP though). I’ve considered moving to New Zealand someday, probably a few years after finishing school.

What requirements will I have to fulfill to be able to become a nurse in New Zealand once I already have proper training for the US? Tests, more school, etc…? Thanks for any information!

You will have to apply to the New Zealand Council of Nursing to be registered. Once you have the documentation they want, and it seems no matter how thorough you are, there is always something else they want, you will have to do a competency assessment programme.

This is a 6 or 8 week course (depending on where you do it) and it basically prepares you to work as a nurse in New Zealand, as well as giving them an idea that you really are a nurse and you know what you are doing. You will have to pay for this course, and if you are on a temporary work visa and not a permanent resident, it will cost anywhere from $3400 to $4500.

You don’t get any type of reimbursement for this course. (If you are a permanent resident, the course is about $1000 or less.) There is a serious shortage of nurses in this country, so I’ve been told, but they don’t do much to get nurses from more advanced countries in to the system.

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