My name is Mel. I am a Nurse Practitioner. I came to NZ in November 2021 from Canada. The process to come to NZ took me 8 months.
The easiest part of the process was looking at employment opportunities, interview and accepting the job. The most challenging part of the process was going through the Nurse Practitioner international application process for registration in NZ with the Nursing Council. The process was very long and time consuming for an internationally trained and qualified health care professional. Added a lot of stressful moments during my first year in NZ.
From day one Prudence from ACCENT Health Recruitment was awesome. Great communication and support. Very informative with tips and important details during this process. Quick to respond and offer advice. My first impressions of NZ were it’s beautiful nature. Very welcoming and lots of support from locals and schools to assist us in settling in as stress free as possible.
I am very happy we chose Christchurch; it has a great small city feel. I like the great location I live in, I can do beach and hills in same day. Coming from rural Northern Ontario in Canada it has been easy to connect with nature. We chose Christchurch as we felt it best met our family needs. Being able to keep our kids in competitive ice hockey was a very important factor in our decision. This helped immensely with the international move for the kids, keeping them connected to their passion. It was an easy way to meet and connect to build new relationships and make friends. It has allowed us to travel more and explore the wonders of NZ.
I think the best parts of NZ are the beach, the trees and blooming flowers in the spring and summer months. What I miss the most is my family and friends.
I have been fortunate to explore the South Island in our first year with many weekend trips to Queenstown for some tramping, ice hockey, skiing, Dunedin, West Coast, East coast. I am looking forward to having my family over during the summer and planning a road trip up to the North Island to explore and experience more of NZ. My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is take it one day at a time and enjoy every moment. Keep reminding yourself the reasons why you chose to embark on this journey when things get a bit challenging.
The work/life balance has made a difference to my life because I have more self-care, more calmness. Reconnected with hobbies that I no longer had the time for. We have been able to experience new activities. My new workplace has definitely brought me some challenges but looking back I feel it made me stronger, allowed me to grow professionally, working out of my comfort zone. Workplace very supportive during my transition to finalize my NP licensing.
I am absolutely learning the differences and similarities between the health care systems between New Zealand and Canada. Adapting to working with a different culture, socioeconomic and determinants of health factors.
Having lived and experienced the evolution of the Nurse Practitioner role, it’s barriers and challenges in my career have helped me adapt and apply my knowledge and advocate for the recognition, awareness, and growth of the NP role in New Zealand.
Being in NZ has given me more time to connect and participate in educational sessions. I have been able to upskill in areas and skills that are of interest and relevant to my enrolled population to improve access to care and services at low cost.
Melissa
From day one Prudence from ACCENT Health Recruitment was awesome. Great communication and support. Very informative with tips and important details during this process. Quick to respond and offer advice.
My first impressions of NZ were it’s beautiful nature. Very welcoming and lots of support from locals and schools to assist us in settling in as stress free as possible.
I have been fortunate to explore the South Island in our first year with many weekend trips to Queenstown for some tramping, ice hockey, skiing, Dunedin, West Coast, East coast. I am looking forward to having my family over during the summer and planning a road trip up to the North Island to explore and experience more of NZ.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is take it one day at a time and enjoy every moment. Keep reminding yourself the reasons why you chose to embark on this journey when things get a bit challenging.
The work/life balance has made a difference to my life because I have more self-care, more calmness. Reconnected with hobbies that I no longer had the time for. We have been able to experience new activities.
My new workplace has definitely brought me some challenges but looking back I feel it made me stronger, allowed me to grow professionally, working out of my comfort zone. Workplace very supportive during my transition to finalize my NP licensing.
Posted in
My name is Jamie, I am a Registered Nurse. I came to NZ on the 27th of September 2022 from Illinois USA. The process to come to NZ took me 14 months, 12 of that was getting licence approved.
The easiest part of the process was getting the job. The most challenging part of the process was waiting for the license to be approved and getting all the documents sent in.
Hannah from ACCENT Health Recruitment was my recruiter, she was awesome. She held my hand throughout the entire process from start to finish and even after. She continued to check in after I was in New Zealand and helped to ease my concerns while I was waiting on my husband and son’s visas to be approved. The best parts of New Zealand are the people, hands down! The people of New Zealand are some of the nicest and generous people I have ever met.
I live in Bethlehem, Tauranga. It is quiet and I can see green everywhere. I like that I can go out and enjoy nature and make memories with my family and still have enough time to go home and get to work. It’s so relaxing!
I have no specific place to visit as I intend to visit them all. I am sure there is beauty in every inch of this country, and I want to explore it all! What I miss the most is some food stuff that I can’t find here, but we have managed to find similar substitutes.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is even if it seems like it’s taking too long or a hassle to keep pushing through, it will be worth every effort you put in to get here.
The work/life balance has made a difference to my life because life is more enjoyable, less stress, less hectic! I have more time with my family, and I can leave work at work.
We are happy, it’s the best move we made! Jamie
Hannah from ACCENT Health Recruitment was my recruiter, she was awesome. She held my hand throughout the entire process from start to finish and even after. She continued to check in after I was in New Zealand and helped to ease my concerns while I was waiting on my husband and son’s visas to be approved.
The best parts of New Zealand are the people, hands down! The people of New Zealand are some of the nicest and generous people I have ever met.
I have no specific place to visit as I intend to visit them all. I am sure there is beauty in every inch of this country, and I want to explore it all!
What I miss the most is some food stuff that I can’t find here, but we have managed to find similar substitutes.
My Name is Debbie. I am a Clinical Manager. I came to New Zealand in July 2022 from Ireland. The process to come to New Zealand took me 10 months.
The easiest part of the process was getting a job. The most challenging part of the process was the nursing registration. Hayley from ACCENT Health Recruitment helped me secure a position with Ryman Healthcare and I was also offered a role within the CCDHB. Hayley was also a massive help in chasing up my registration with the nursing council and also my visa !!!
My first impressions of NZ were the amazing landscapes and beautiful beaches. We were also very lucky to see an Ireland v All Blacks Rugby game when we first arrived, which was fantastic.
I specifically like how close I live to the beach and love how friendly everyone is, I have had people thank me for coming to NZ when they hear I’m a nurse. I love Christchurch and Wellington, and I would like to visit more of the South Island. I miss the food, teabags (Barry’s tea) and my friends the most. I spend more time with my 3 teenagers now than I did before we left Ireland. I am so glad I made the move, the timing was right for me and my children.
The basics in nursing are the same in the two countries, just systems and processes are different which are individual to each company. I love that NZ have big retirement villages and residents can easily transfer through the system when required (independent living/serviced apartments/rest home/hospital/dementia care).
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to ensure you apply for your IRD number and open a bank account.
Debbie 😊
I specifically like how close I live to the beach and love how friendly everyone is, I have had people thank me for coming to NZ when they hear I’m a nurse. I love Christchurch and Wellington, and I would like to visit more of the South Island.
I miss the food, teabags (Barry’s tea) and my friends the most. I spend more time with my 3 teenagers now than I did before we left Ireland. I am so glad I made the move, the timing was right for me and my children.
My name is Bella, I am a midwife. I came to NZ on the 28th of May 2022 from The Netherlands (Holland). The process to come to NZ took me 18 months in total.
The easiest part of the process was deciding to go for it and thinking about all the adventures I was going to have! The most challenging part of the process was, grinding through all the paperwork (took me a good while!) and then waiting for everything to come through…
I couldn’t have done it without ACCENT Health Recruitment, they told me what to do and when – and pushed me when I needed to be pushed. My recruiter was Prudence (aka my guardian angel). My first impressions of NZ were that it was extremely welcoming and friendly people, and an insanely beautiful country and SO clean!! I specifically like the work-life balance and amazing nature just around the corner. I can’t choose the best parts of New Zealand!
I live in Grey Lynn, in Auckland – love that there’s plenty of cafes etc around but not as busy as the CBD and a beautiful park just around the corner of my house. I plan to visit literally everywhere, I want to see it all!
I miss my friends and family the most. The work/life balance made a difference to my life – 100%. I’m a lot less stressed and feel so much better in so many ways. I was an independent midwife so I was on call a lot of the time. Now I work 8 or 12 hour shifts and can relax after that. Makes all the difference. The transition was easy because the maternity systems are quite similar and babies+mums/dads are the same everywhere!
LMC’s work with case load mainly- which means the continuity of care is very high. Something I think works very well and I think should be the norm! Thanks ACCENT Health Recruitment and Prudence for all your help! Couldn’t have done it without you!
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to DO it! Stop doubting and take the leap of faith, it will be so worth it.
Take care, All the best! Bella
I couldn’t have done it without ACCENT Health Recruitment, they told me what to do and when – and pushed me when I needed to be pushed. My recruiter was Prudence (aka my guardian angel).
My first impressions of NZ were that it was extremely welcoming and friendly people, and an insanely beautiful country and SO clean!! I specifically like the work-life balance and amazing nature just around the corner. I can’t choose the best parts of New Zealand!
I miss my friends and family the most.
The work/life balance made a difference to my life – 100%. I’m a lot less stressed and feel so much better in so many ways. I was an independent midwife so I was on call a lot of the time. Now I work 8 or 12 hour shifts and can relax after that. Makes all the difference. The transition was easy because the maternity systems are quite similar and babies+mums/dads are the same everywhere!
LMC’s work with case load mainly- which means the continuity of care is very high. Something I think works very well and I think should be the norm!
Thanks ACCENT Health Recruitment and Prudence for all your help! Couldn’t have done it without you!
My Name is Elizabeth, I am a Registered Nurse. I came to NZ in January 2022 from the United States. The process to come to NZ took me 6-8 months from the time I decided to seriously look for a job and start interviewing.
The easiest part of the process was all the help from Hayley and Accent recruiting – they made the process SO MUCH EASIER!!
The most challenging part of the process was adjusting to the differences in how health care is delivered in NZ as compared to the US, as well as learning new care guidelines and medications.
ACCENT Health Recruitment helped my process to come to NZ because I worked with Hayley, and she was phenomenal. She was really interested in helping me find a good fit for my experience, and she gave me good advice on the things I should do to start becoming more aware of the cultural differences. She was always easy to contact if I had any questions and has kept in touch to make sure I have been adjusting.
My first impressions of NZ were that it is safe. I could not believe that school campuses are open – kids leave to eat lunch; if you need to stop by the school, you can easily do so. Kids ride buses independently to get around town. Beautiful – green and lush, incredible mountains, easy to get to good hiking tracks from almost everywhere.
I specifically like that there is SO MUCH LESS stress at work in NZ; don’t get me wrong – the unit is busy and does run short on staffing frequently, but the attitude about it is so much better here. You are expected to take your time off work, and if you need to call in, there is no guilt or badgering about it.
I think the best parts of NZ is much less focus on accumulating “stuff” – generally, people don’t judge you by where you live, or what kind of car you have. Not the same peer pressure to have the right clothes, or to have the new iPhone or whatever for the kids.
I like the area that I live in, it is a beautiful area – there is a fantastic hiking area less than a mile (or 1.6km) from our house – we can literally walk there with the dog, take a picnic lunch, and spend the whole day seeing beautiful new trails.
What I miss the most is the easy availability and variety of fast food that is in the US. I also had to sort of relearn how to cook, as most of what I used to cook with in the US was already sort of processed. Most foods here come “raw” and require a little more prep time, and I had to learn how to make US favorites with NZ items – which is not always as easy as it sounds!
We really want to go everywhere! I am anxious to make it to the Waitomo Caves, and to the falls at Whangarei. A co-worker recently took a trip to the West Coast of the South Island and had fabulous pictures and stories.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to go for it! Be flexible, keep an open mind and don’t be surprised at some of the unexpected differences. It was really easy to think of the big things that would be different and mentally prepare, but some of the small things turned out to be such a shock.
The work/life balance made a difference to my life because, again, my stress level regarding work is so much better now than it was in the US. Sometimes, I think there must be something that I am missing or doing wrong, because I feel so much better than I have in years.
It was a bit of a rough transition for my daughter, who is in high school. It seems to have gotten a lot better now that we have been here 8 months, and she was able to get a job. She is making friends and has adjusted to a lot of the differences in how schoolwork is here and is much happier.
The major differences between your current role in NZ and your previous role in the United States? This may be a little different because I work in Maternity, but the unit is primarily Midwife led (midwives are NOT nurses in NZ – that was a huge adjustment for me), and most care is not physician led. I still get anxious sometimes about discharging a mom home because I don’t have a written physician order that tells me to.
The medication charts were also a huge adjustment – they are all hand-written, and I have to very consciously remember to check every page to make sure I did not miss something that was written in later (or after a skipped page)
The actual care I provide is very similar – checking the fundus and lochia, assisting with breast feeding, providing education regarding newborn care for new parents
It still surprises me when I think of some health screening or guideline from the US, and find out that NZ uses their own guidelines, adjusted for the population here. I am so used to thinking in terms of the USPSTF (US Preventative Service Task Force) and ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) that I occasionally still get confused why some things are just handled differently here. It has made me acutely aware that there are many ways of thinking about issues, and that just because I learned it one way in the US, that does not mean it is always the best (or only) way.
Thank you Elizabeth
My name is Birgitte (most people call me Gita). I’m a theatre nurse. I came to New Zealand in May, 2022 from the United States. The process took me 10 months (I had to get my Bachelor of Nursing degree in order to practice in New Zealand, which I did at an accelerated pace online).
The easiest part of the process was the interview! I had one interview in my preferred location and was offered the position. The most challenging part of the process was dealing with CGFNS, the company that vetted my credentials. All credentials had to be sent via snail mail and the paperwork they require is painfully specific. It took several months for them to complete my application and forward it to New Zealand Nursing Council. Accent Health supported me every step of the way in this process. Prudence is my recruiter and there is no way I could have done this without her. She answered every email quickly, answered all my questions (probably the same ones multiple times), and calmed me down when I was freaking out!
My first impression of New Zealand was how clean it is. There is next to no litter in Hawkes Bay. I’m still amazed by this. Also, the calm. After spending 9 hours laid over in LAX airport, getting off the plane in Auckland was surreal. It was quiet and orderly. There is no feel of franticness here. I love how beautiful New Zealand is. The Kiwis take pride in their cities and towns. And I love how safe it is compared to the US.
I think we live in the most perfect climate in the world here in Hawkes Bay. We live in Napier, less than 1 mile from the beach! The air is so clean (which contributes to the intense sun because there is no pollution to break up the UV rays). There is virtually no smog here! The Hawkes Bay region is provincial, made up of wineries and orchards. Each little town (Napier, Hastings and Havelock North) have their own personalities.
I could spend the rest of my life exploring New Zealand. We plan to visit everywhere! This summer we’re exploring a lot of the north island when my son gets here. Next year we’ll start exploring the South Island. I think New Zealand is the most stunning place in the world! Eventually we’ll venture to Australia, lol. And maybe Fiji.
What I miss the most is my son (he’s with his dad in the states but is coming in December for 3 weeks to visit). He is 16 and didn’t want to move and leave his friends. And I miss my friends.
If you want to come New Zealand, just do it! We live once. The move can be expensive, so plan accordingly. If you want a slower pace of life, free from gun violence (of course there are isolated incidents) and a place where children can have a childhood and not undergo active shooter drills (like my children did since 6 years of age), New Zealand is really that level of safe, in my opinion. If making a bunch of money is important, this is not the place. Work life balance is our priority. My husband and I can live as comfortably as we did in the states with our two incomes, but we won’t become wealthy. It’s expensive, but it also evens out.
The work/life balance is incredible. After experiencing Covid as a nurse in the US, I don’t think I would have stayed in the profession. We have at least 4 weeks of vacation here per year. I spend my weekends enjoying New Zealand, not just recovering from the work week like I did back in the states.
My role here as a theatre nurse is very different than it was in the US because here I’m being trained to scrub and assist! I have renewed energy for my profession. I work for a private hospital here, which offers me much more suitable hours for my lifestyle. I also don’t have to deal with traumas anymore, specifically gunshot wounds, which were constant at my old hospital.
The similarities that have made my transition easy are the equipment is mostly the same, and the theatre protocols are basically the same.
The relationships between doctors and nurses are much more team-oriented here in New Zealand. I feel valued and treated as a colleague. Doctors are addressed by their first names, and we share the same tea rooms. This was unheard of back in the states. There was always a level of elitism among the surgeons and a clear separation between nurses and doctors. Here, we work together.
Gita
My Name is Cristina. I am a Registered Nurse. I came to NZ in April 2022 from the UK (but I am originally from Spain). The process to come to NZ took me about 18 months from starting with the Nurse Registration through CGFNS until I reached NZ.
The easiest part of the process was the interviews process. Prudence really helped sorting out the interviews for me and contacting the hospitals I was interested in, as well as helping me prepare for the zoom interview.
The most challenging part of the process was probably the process of getting the Nursing registration for NZ was the most challenging and stressful part as it involved trying to get lots of documents from different places and the feedback from CGFNS for each document was very slow too. Prudence was my recruiter. She contacted me after I attended an online webinar about living and working in NZ, and she has been in contact with me ever since. She has helped me a lot not only with finding the right place and job, but she went beyond that and helped me with other processes and bureaucracy questions I’ve had throughout my big move.
I had been to NZ before moving here this year, I came for a short holiday trip back in 2017 and I remember falling in love with the country straight away. When I arrived here this time, I had the same feeling regarding how calm everything feels here and how nice and kind people are to everyone. It has been a big difference coming from UK and Spain where there is always that ‘rushed life’ feeling and even though it’s still something I’m getting used to, I am really enjoying the quiet and calm days here. I love how life feels calmer all the time here and how I feel much more connected to nature here. I am able to enjoy amazing scenery and nature within just a few minutes’ drive anytime I want. I love that. I still have lots of places I need to explore in NZ but from what I’ve seen, the South Island is definitely my favourite so far, I love particularly all the area around Queenstown.
I live in Dunedin. It is much smaller and less populated than any other place I’ve ever lived in which I still find myself getting used to at times. But I love that it’s on the coast and that it’s so close to amazing places in this part of the South Island. I think Dunedin works great as a base for exploring NZ if you’re into tramping and exploring nature. I want to explore the whole of NZ, I have a very long list of places I want to visit here and tramping routes I want to do. Maybe one of the things I do miss from Spain especially is the social life. We do a lot of social meeting and going out for a drink late in the evening, especially during the summer when we can sit outside and there is always people on the streets.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to come with an open mind, some things will be different from the lifestyle you’re used to but the work/life balance you get here is amazing so embrace all the opportunities that this country can give you. The work/life balance made a difference to my life as I feel like I am now making much more use of my days off than I used to do before moving to NZ. I am getting back in contact with my love for tramping and photography and taking any opportunity I can get to go out and explore a different place each time.
The working style is similar here than what I was used to in the UK although staffing is much better here, and it somehow feels much less stressful too. Since the way of working is similar to the UK, I didn’t need to do any extra qualification or exam in order to start working as a nurse here. Also, I didn’t need to go through a long orientation period at work which I appreciated too.
I have found really interesting the importance that is given to Māori culture and to make sure that we do as much as we can to adjust to different beliefs and traditions. I think this is something really good that NZ is doing on trying to empower Māori culture back into the country.
I would like to mention how grateful I am to ACCENT, especially to Prudence, for helping me make my dream of living in NZ true! I haven’t been here long yet, but I am already in love with my life here and I wouldn’t have had things any other way.
Thanks, Cristina
The most challenging part of the process was probably the process of getting the Nursing registration for NZ was the most challenging and stressful part as it involved trying to get lots of documents from different places and the feedback from CGFNS for each document was very slow too.
Prudence was my recruiter. She contacted me after I attended an online webinar about living and working in NZ, and she has been in contact with me ever since. She has helped me a lot not only with finding the right place and job, but she went beyond that and helped me with other processes and bureaucracy questions I’ve had throughout my big move.
I had been to NZ before moving here this year, I came for a short holiday trip back in 2017 and I remember falling in love with the country straight away. When I arrived here this time, I had the same feeling regarding how calm everything feels here and how nice and kind people are to everyone. It has been a big difference coming from UK and Spain where there is always that ‘rushed life’ feeling and even though it’s still something I’m getting used to, I am really enjoying the quiet and calm days here. I love how life feels calmer all the time here and how I feel much more connected to nature here. I am able to enjoy amazing scenery and nature within just a few minutes’ drive anytime I want. I love that.
I still have lots of places I need to explore in NZ but from what I’ve seen, the South Island is definitely my favourite so far, I love particularly all the area around Queenstown.
I live in Dunedin. It is much smaller and less populated than any other place I’ve ever lived in which I still find myself getting used to at times. But I love that it’s on the coast and that it’s so close to amazing places in this part of the South Island. I think Dunedin works great as a base for exploring NZ if you’re into tramping and exploring nature. I want to explore the whole of NZ, I have a very long list of places I want to visit here and tramping routes I want to do.
Maybe one of the things I do miss from Spain especially is the social life. We do a lot of social meeting and going out for a drink late in the evening, especially during the summer when we can sit outside and there is always people on the streets.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to come with an open mind, some things will be different from the lifestyle you’re used to but the work/life balance you get here is amazing so embrace all the opportunities that this country can give you.
The work/life balance made a difference to my life as I feel like I am now making much more use of my days off than I used to do before moving to NZ. I am getting back in contact with my love for tramping and photography and taking any opportunity I can get to go out and explore a different place each time.
My Name is Rebecca, and I am a Nurse, I came to NZ in July 2022 from the UK.
The process to come to NZ took me about 18 months but unfortunately COVID played a factor in that time frame. The easiest part of the process was having the support of Kristen and others at accent who were so helpful and always at the end of the phone or email for my questions
The most challenging part of the process was CQFNS, please allow a lot of time for this part of the process. Their offices are in America, and you must post a lot of information to them to register your qualifications. It does take a long time for them to process this, but be patient and don’t be disheartened.
Thank you, Kristen, for all your help with my recruitment process, despite the time differences she was always ready to answer my questions whether that was via email, telephone, or WhatsApp. She arranged my job interviews and sent my CV out to prospective employers. Incredibly patient and supportive during times where I felt like giving up because it is honestly not a fast process and can be incredibly daunting to be begin with.
My first impressions of NZ were that it was Beautiful! The scenery is absolutely stunning it’s very different to the UK – more so than I imagined so be prepared for the culture shock. Everyone has been so friendly; I’ve had a colleague let me borrow a car and surplus crockery donations and dinner invitations and been made to feel very welcome as a whole.
I like that you can drive for ages and not hit another town, it feels very spacious, you’re never far from the sea. They love fish and chips, pies, roast dinner, and Christmas!
They are big on camping and hiking – they have beautiful rivers and nature trails for miles and miles that you can immerse yourself into when you’re not working. And heaps of activities for the young ones you may be bringing with you.
I live in Wellington; it is an awesome city – so full of life and culture. Quirky restaurants and cafes, graffiti, and a beautiful harbour. It really is windy though so don’t bring your umbrella! There are loads of stunning viewpoints you can hike or drive to around the city to overlook the whole city and harbour and for miles around too. The public transport is amazing and so cheap as well if you don’t have a car straight away. I miss my friends definitely that is the hardest part, and you really don’t think it’s going to be so tough, but the time difference makes it very difficult to call people. You need set a time like Saturday night at 10pm and stick to it because otherwise you will be going to bed when your friends and family are getting up and you will miss each other if you’re not planning times to communicate.
I miss how cheap salad is – lettuce atm is $6! But I’m told this will get better and it’s just the wrong season. Lots of things are expensive to be imported here, forget about your European cars, and get something Japanese because to import the parts can be more expensive than the car. I miss English marmite! NZ version is just not the same haha but overall if you take your time and shop sensibly you will find that you can keep your shopping budget pretty much the same as back home.
I am planning a road trip down South for January they have one of the hottest natural springs in the world in Lake Tekapo and there are less than 2 million people in the whole of the South Island! Perfect if you love nature and camping like me. I will also be travelling north to auk land when I have more time as I’ve heard the beaches up there are fabulous. If you like sandy beaches, then definitely research where you want to live to incorporate that into your plans.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to take your time and be patient. it took a good 18 months for me to get here and whilst it was frustrating at times it gives you time to really be sure about why you are doing this and weigh up the good and bad. Be prepared for the homesickness and try to join clubs, hobbies, gyms, social activities you’re interested in so you can build up a network outside of work. Sometimes we love our colleagues but other times we want good friends we can meet up with separately to our work life you know.
Apply for your bank account from overseas, they can send you out a bank card to your overseas address and you can then activate it once you get here. The same goes for your tax number (IRD number) apply for it early from overseas if you like to be prepared.
The work/life balance has made a difference to my life because I finish work at 3pm on early shifts (which is what I try to do the most of). I generally only request early shifts and it means I’m back at home just after my daughter gets in from school (she’s 12) and we have time to have dinner together and watch movies together or go swimming together and honestly, it’s made such a difference having that time. Before at home I was working 13-hour shifts and wouldn’t get back until 9pm. It’s not for everyone – some people prefer less days and longer hours but for me when it comes to time with my daughter it’s been so much nicer.
Rebecca
I live in Wellington; it is an awesome city – so full of life and culture. Quirky restaurants and cafes, graffiti, and a beautiful harbour. It really is windy though so don’t bring your umbrella! There are loads of stunning viewpoints you can hike or drive to around the city to overlook the whole city and harbour and for miles around too. The public transport is amazing and so cheap as well if you don’t have a car straight away.
I miss my friends definitely that is the hardest part, and you really don’t think it’s going to be so tough, but the time difference makes it very difficult to call people. You need set a time like Saturday night at 10pm and stick to it because otherwise you will be going to bed when your friends and family are getting up and you will miss each other if you’re not planning times to communicate.
Hello. My name is Kay and I am a registered nurse from Singapore. My country of origin is Myanmar. I came to Auckland on the 18th of July, 2022. The process to come to New Zealand took me around six months.I started off with CGFNS application, followed by registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. I would say that CGFNS application was the most challenging stage because there was so much effort involved in getting all the documents verified. While waiting for the NCNZ’s case manager to assess my application, I contacted ACCENT Health Recruitment as recommended by my friend from Wellington.
My recruiter, Hannah, responded to my email and set up ZOOM meeting to guide me through the whole process. Thanks to Hannah, I found a suitable job within a short period of time. I believe ACCENT’s workflow ensures that the candidate as well as the necessary documents are well-prepared for the upcoming interviews. Hence, hunting job was extremely smooth and definitely the easiest part of my migration journey. Hannah continued to guide and support me until I settled in my new job.
My first impression of New Zealand was that the people were very welcoming. Every single person I have met are nice and friendly. My family and I live in Takapuna because it is close to my workplace. It is a very convenient location to live. Beautiful beach, Lake Pupuke, Shore City Shopping Centre and many other amenities are just a few minutes’ drive away! What we miss the most are our families and the food in Singapore. However, we do not regret coming here as we are enjoying a slower-paced and less stressful life. I love the flexible working schedules and great work-life balance. I receive constant support at work and my well-being is taken care of. I also feel happier now because I get to spend more time with family.
I would like to thank Hannah and ACCENT for supporting us every step of the way. As I have always said, having Hannah as our recruitment consultant is like having an old friend to rely on. If anyone is thinking about migrating to New Zealand, my advice is do not delay and contact ACCENT today! You will not regret and your children will thank you one day for your sacrifices.
Kay
Hello. My name is Kay and I am a registered nurse from Singapore. My country of origin is Myanmar. I came to Auckland on the 18th of July, 2022. The process to come to New Zealand took me around six months.
I started off with CGFNS application, followed by registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. I would say that CGFNS application was the most challenging stage because there was so much effort involved in getting all the documents verified. While waiting for the NCNZ’s case manager to assess my application, I contacted ACCENT Health Recruitment as recommended by my friend from Wellington.
My first impression of New Zealand was that the people were very welcoming. Every single person I have met are nice and friendly. My family and I live in Takapuna because it is close to my workplace. It is a very convenient location to live. Beautiful beach, Lake Pupuke, Shore City Shopping Centre and many other amenities are just a few minutes’ drive away!
What we miss the most are our families and the food in Singapore. However, we do not regret coming here as we are enjoying a slower-paced and less stressful life. I love the flexible working schedules and great work-life balance. I receive constant support at work and my well-being is taken care of. I also feel happier now because I get to spend more time with family.
My Name is Kristin, I am a Nurse. I came to New Zealand in January 2022 from Singapore The process to come to NZ took me 6-8 months.
The most challenging part of the process was searching for a job on your own; obtaining a visa (partnership portion) and getting a slot with MIQ. My recruiter was Kristin McNaughton from ACCENT Health Recruitment.
My first impressions of NZ were that it is a quiet country. It has an advance transport system, similar with Singapore. I specifically like the nature and outdoor activities in New Zealand, and I think the best parts of NZ are the Coromandel, Taupo, and Hamilton
What I like about the area I live in is that it is centrally located and nearby Cornwall Park What I miss the most is the humid weather and the food, and friends in Singapore I plan to visit Queenstown and probably Christchurch (we did not manage to roam there after we served our MIQ)
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to learn about NZ ahead of time, so you’ll have an idea what life is like in NZ. Just take that leap. NZ offers a work – life balance which my husband and I are really enjoying. It has given us more time to relax and bond with one another. NZ is a good place especially if you like the outdoors. Huka FallsThe major differences between my previous role in Singapore and my current role is that I was previously working with Anaesthesia and here in NZ, I am working as an Orthopaedic Scrub Nurse.
What made the transition easy was the fact that in both countries I worked in the Operating Theatre environment. Also, I had a designated preceptor who helped me get accustomed to the practices.
Is there anything specifically done differently in NZ that has interested you and the way you practice your profession? Perhaps when they do sign in during the preoperative check which is being initiated by the anaesthetist while the entire team is listening. From my previous experience, checks are done individually rather than as a team.
NZ is a good place especially if you love the outdoors. Sometimes in the middle of uncertainty like the pandemic, you have to get out of your comfort zone, take the leap and make that move. As they say, life begins at the end of your comfort zone. KristinTypical Saturday coffee trip at Cornwall ParkCornwall ParkTairuaNational Park on the way to Mt Ruapehu
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to learn about NZ ahead of time, so you’ll have an idea what life is like in NZ. Just take that leap. NZ offers a work – life balance which my husband and I are really enjoying. It has given us more time to relax and bond with one another. NZ is a good place especially if you like the outdoors.
Huka Falls
The major differences between my previous role in Singapore and my current role is that I was previously working with Anaesthesia and here in NZ, I am working as an Orthopaedic Scrub Nurse.
NZ is a good place especially if you love the outdoors. Sometimes in the middle of uncertainty like the pandemic, you have to get out of your comfort zone, take the leap and make that move. As they say, life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Kristin
Typical Saturday coffee trip at Cornwall Park
Cornwall Park
Tairua
National Park on the way to Mt Ruapehu
My name is Grace, a registered nurse from the UK, originally from the Philippines. My whole family arrived in New Plymouth, New Zealand on the 24th of May 2022. The whole process of coming to NZ took me two years from the time I started preparing for my English exam (OET), CGFNS application, and NCNZ registration.
The easiest part of the process was getting a job offer. Thanks to expert Hannah from AHR, who has made my job hunt and interview a really quick and easy task for me. I even had a great job opportunity offer out of that which was amazing. However, the most challenging part was completing all the documents required for the nursing registration. This is due to the pandemic that makes it so difficult. As soon as I got the job offer everything went so quick as AHR guided me every step of the way.
My first impression of NZ was the stunning scenery everywhere, the vast space around you and the easy access to all the nature. Everyone seems so warm and friendly. You will have a work-life balance here as you have all the time and space for yourself and your family. So far we have visited nearby beaches and museum. Hopefully once we’re settled, we can explore more around the area and other places too.
What I missed the most back home are all my friends, shopping brands and my favourite foods.
With regards to work, documentation, medication, and care are almost the same. They used a med chart here which is like a computer kardex and using only one pyxis machine for 30 patients can be challenging but the workload and stress are less here compared to the UK. I quite like the trend care that the hospital put in place to monitor and prioritise staff welfare.
Do it now, Life does not wait. You need to Live a Life you Love. Having AHR with me has made my life easier and fulfilled my long-time dream and I’m sure it will happen to you too if you take that opportunity. They are such a great team and a blessing to my family.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much and may God continue to bless your work.
Maile is a Registered Nurse who moved from the United States to New Zealand in July 2021, with her husband Brian. Listen to her interview on what it’s like to live and work in New Zealand.
My name is Maile, I am a mental health RN. I came to New Zealand in July 2021 from the United States. The process to come to NZ took us years, honestly, because before we moved, we paid off debt and saved up money. It took me a year to get my NZ nursing registration. I first started the CGFNS process in May 2020, and we moved here July 2021, so it has not been a quick process.
The easiest part of the process was finding a job and the most challenging part of the process was getting CGFNS to approve all the paperwork. ACCENT made everything simple and led me step by step through the process. I had Kristin and she was great.
I remember seeing rainbows nearly every day when we first got here, and the trees were so different. I also remember being impressed by how nice everyone was. It's a more laid-back lifestyle, and people are really friendly. It's also hard to beat the beauty of living on the South Island.
I think the best parts of NZ are the work life balance, and the nature and wildlife. The South Island is amazing, wild, rugged, and breath-taking. What I like about the area I live in is the nature and the wildlife. Dunedin is a great city, with lots of good restaurants and cafes, but it's also beautiful. You can get to 10 different beaches within a 15-minute drive, or go for a hike, or go mountain biking, or simply find an amazing view. For an outdoor lover like myself and my husband, we are in paradise.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to be patient. It can take a while, and you will have moments where you might feel it will never happen, but just stay patient and know that when things do start to happen, it can happen very quickly. So do all your preparations now, instead of at the end.
The work/life balance made a difference to my life because I am so much more relaxed in my daily life, and it's easy to take multiple trips a year. I have a lot of free time to do the things I love, such as exploring the South Island and getting outside. I miss my family the most.
The hardest part for me was getting adjusted to a new health system, with different medication names, different abbreviations, and different slang. My first few weeks I asked a lot of questions and learned a lot very quickly. It also took some time to get used to the many accents on my ward. I still do very similar work, but it's also different in most ways because it's in a different country. Keeping an open mind and reminding myself that I wasn't going to be able to adjust within a few short weeks really helped.
In many ways, my first few months of nursing here felt like I was a new nurse learning the ropes again. Being a nurse in a country that does not have the litigation culture that the US does, has been a huge relief. It's more relaxing to work here, and patients and families in general are more respectful of health care workers. I find that doctors are a lot more friendly and down to earth here as well.
Maile
Maile and Brian have their own YouTube channel — you can check them out at ZoomiesAbroad.
My name is Khine, I am a Registered Nurse from Singapore, originally from Myanmar (Burma). I came to NZ in August 2021. I started preparing for my OET (English language test) from May-June 2020 and took the test in September 2020. Then I started applying for NCNZ (Nursing Council New Zealand) via CGFNS (The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools). The whole process of coming to NZ took me about 15 months which can be much shorter. For those who are required to take English test, my advice is to start with CGFNS as soon as you start preparing for OET as the whole NCNZ registration takes a long time.
The most challenging part of coming to NZ for me was sorting out all the paperwork that was required for nursing registration and migration process. Once I got the registration, the easiest part came, which is getting the job interview that fits my background. Thanks to Kristin from AHR, job hunt, interview and migration process went incredibly smooth.
The best part of NZ is work-life balance and its stunning nature. My partner and I haven’t been to NZ before, and we have no regrets coming here at all. People here are warm and welcoming. Having a work-life balance, we feel less stressed and are leading a healthier lifestyle. What I miss the most is of course, my family back home and food.
A couple of differences between Singapore and NZ working as a Registered Nurse is having nurses’ unions and paper charting.
I am currently residing in Wellington with my partner. It is a great city with all the amenities you need, plus good food culture, and lots of fine cafes. More importantly, it is in a perfect location, close to the South Island, and easy to drive up to the North.
We have been to a few places like Napier (love its summer weather), Rotorua, Taupo, Queenstown, and especially loved the amazing drive from Christchurch to Queenstown. The scenery is just phenomenal as you might have seen or heard before. Having been to Queenstown, I would love to return and explore the whole island.
On the side note, it would be great if you hold a valid driver license before coming to NZ (to explore the amazing places 😉)
Stay safe and take care.
Warm regards, Khine
My name is Katherine, and I am a Registered Nurse. I arrived in New Zealand on the 18th of October 2020 from Singapore. I am a Filipino, but I have worked and lived in Singapore for about 12yrs.
It took me about 8 months to arrive in NZ only because it was in the midst of the pandemic. Lockdowns made the process difficult, especially the need to settle documents both from the Philippines and Singapore, however with the help of Prudence she made the process much much easier. Getting a job was never an issue. Prudence got a job interview for me, and I was hired right there and then. (She was even around during my interview ☺ )
My first impression of NZ was how beautiful the sky is. Weird as it sounds but it’s true. I loved that it is pretty laid back and has stunning sceneries. Heaps of beautiful places to hike, explore and will always be in awe of the landscapes. I have already visited quite a number of places and Christchurch will always be home for me 😍.
The best way I can describe or differentiate Nursing here is that New Zealand has an important aspect of work/life balance. Nursing overall is the same, we provide care with the same goals.
IT WAS A LEAP OF FAITH. I was in that moment where you just wanted CHANGE. So, I searched on social media for any agency in NZ. I then found ACCENT ❤. They guided me through the whole process, always there to answer any questions and doubts that I had. Shout out to Prudence for being my #1 supporter. Every single step she was there from the beginning till after my isolation (a bag of goodies was provided) and she even kept in touch after I had started work. Simply amazing genuine people! Thank you guys for helping me achieve my long lost dream! BEST decision of my life!
My simple advice: Make that change. Do it. Start now. It will be all worth it.
My name is Laura, I am a District Nursing Sister. I came to NZ in April 2022 from the United Kingdom. The process to come to NZ took me 15 months. The easiest part of the process was deciding to work, finding Accent Health Recruitment, and booking our flights! The most challenging part of the process was registering my UK nursing qualification with CGFNS to ensure I was registered as a nurse in NZ, prior to applying for my Critical Purpose Visitor Visa.
Prudence supported me throughout the whole process, she set up 2 interviews and supported me with what questions they may ask and how the process of the interview works. Prudence contacted me before and after both interviews and supported me in accepting my job with my employer. Prudence has routinely kept in touch since I arrived in NZ.
My first impressions of NZ were that it was warm even though it was April, friendly people, and clean surroundings. What I specifically like about NZ is the friendly community spirit, clean streets, recreational/sporting areas for both children and adults and there are lots of places within walking distance, shops, cafes etc in the area I live in. What I miss the most is my friends and family that we have left behind.
The rules of the road are very similar to the UK which made things very easy to transition working in the community setting within NZ and I can drive on my UK licence. Visiting clients within their own homes is my background and therefore I have adapted easily to this.
I plan to visit the glaciers in the South Island, the photos look amazing. Taupo, because the lake looks beautiful and great restaurant reviews. Rotorua, to experience the geothermal activity, and learn more about the Māori culture.
Within the UK we had the NHS system, therefore everyone I dealt with all came under this umbrella. I am now having to understand the ACC system within NZ, and the different products available to use for specific wound or catheter cares and get my head around the ACC claims and packages. I would like to gain more knowledge with acute wounds, the products and learning, the slightly different ways of working. To learn more and gain more knowledge about the different cultures within NZ.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to plan ahead, take each step as it comes, gather all the information needed, take your time and you can complete the processes independently. I think the best parts of NZ are that it is quiet and tranquil at times. The scenery and views are amazing, we hope to explore them a lot more over the years we will be here.
Home Page
Home Page