My name is Ann Bennett. I am a registered mental health nurse who came to NZ in June 2020 from the UK.
The process to come to NZ took me about 13 months from starting the application to the NZNC to having to negotiate through Covid 19 and the closed borders.
The easiest part of the process was actually getting my visas with the expert assistance from The Emigration Group. Without their assistance I would not have been able to navigate my way through the process.
The most challenging part of the process was the application process to the NZNC. Having started my training in 1986 at a School of Nursing and Midwifery this proved tricky in getting hold of the required documents as the school of Nursing no longer existed. With a lot of perseverance and phone calls and e mails to the NMC and current nurse education facility this was finally sorted.
Only I could decide to emigrate in the middle of a worldwide Covid 19 crisis. It didn’t put me off though. After having to find out what limited number of airlines were flying, dealing with cancelled flights, re-booking flights, applying for exemptions and transit visas to travel through Australia I finally arrived in NZ on June 9 2020 to spend 2 weeks in quarantine in Auckland. This was not a problem as it was a comfortable stay and the NZ Government paid for it. I believe I was very lucky to get here when I did.
My first impressions of NZ were wow what a beautiful country, rolling hills, stunning lakes, the ocean, forests and a laidback friendly vibe.
The best parts of NZ for me are the awesome scenery, the outdoor lifestyle, the weather, much like the UK with the 4 seasons in one day.
What I miss most of course is my family and friends, my little house and my 2 noisy budgies Fred and Ernie who sadly I could not bring with me.
My advice if you’re planning to come to NZ is ‘Just do it’. You get one go at life and you only regret what you don’t do. Be organised and plan ahead, learn a bit about NZ, be prepared for setbacks but never give up on your dream. It is well worth it.
I have to thank Accent, particularly Kristin, for their support, advice and assistance throughout the process. I would not have found my current job without them. I value their advice and support.
My new workplace:
Coming from a community mental health background over the past 8 years in the UK I found going back to work on a ward as a registered nurse a bit of a challenge at first. Orientating and learning new systems and ways of working took time. My colleagues have been very supportive and helped ease me in. Having a ‘Pom’ on board was a bit novel for them I guess too.
I guess from a community nurse perspective the area covered is much bigger and more rural than in the UK.
There have been similarities that have helped me orientate/transition more easily. Nursing practice and philosophies of care are very similar. Policies and procedures have both their differences and similarities.
I have particularly noticed the differences in the availability of Mental Health Services.
I have noticed that on the ward that I work on the way medication is administered is different from when I worked on a ward in the UK. I think that the administration process is better and safer.
Accent Health Recruitment > Case Studies > Nurses and Midwives > Ann – UK Nurse Working in NZ – ACCENT Health Recruitment
Posted in
My name is Mei. I am a theatre nurse from Malaysia. I worked in Malaysia and Singapore before coming to New Zealand in March 2019. The process to come to New Zealand took me about 5 months.
Thanks to AHR, the process for me to come to New Zealand, from interview to applying for a work visa, was quite smooth. AHR helped me the entire way.
New Zealand is a friendly country. Things move at a much slower pace, makes life much less stressful.
My advice if you are planning to come to New Zealand is start your process now without hesitation. You will never regret coming to work in such a beautiful country. They have best work-life balance (which I have adapted well to) and of course also the sexiest accent. I feel less stressed, and have much more support and respect in my current role compare to my previous role.
Things I really miss from Malaysia are family, friends and food.
Accent Health Recruitment > Case Studies > Nurses and Midwives > Mei – Theatre Nurse from Malaysia
My name is Melissa and I am a Delivery Suite Registered Nurse. I came to NZ on the 8th of November from the USA.
The whole process took 8 months because something things only get done on KIWI time!
The easiest part of the process was working with Accent Health. When things got so stressful that made me doubt why we were doing this, Hayley was always positive and offered solutions. Even if she did not have the answers, she was willing to be honest and say, “Let me find out for you.”
The most challenging part of the process was collecting every document, and making sure it matched exactly with the requirements, especially when it came to documents for animal transport. Transporting animals can become expensive and overwhelming, but worth it in the end.
We had to work with several agencies during this transition, everything from animal transport, to nursing, travel and immigration agencies. Accent Health, was the only one that we felt we had a genuine connection to and felt comfortable handling my future career. Hayley was able to keep me in my specialty even when the odds were stacked against us. She pushed through and proved there was a place here for me and my family.
In the USA, I am a Labour and Delivery Certified Registered nurse with a specialty in High Risk Obstetrics. Unfortunately, here in New Zealand I would require changing careers to become a midwife in order to continue doing what I have done for the last 12 years. Changes are coming to NZ with the current need for more midwives, and I hope to bring back the need for obstetric nurses. In the US, Midwives are Nurses whereas in NZ they are separate paths. It is taking some time to understand those differences.
We speak the same language both personally and professionally, which has eased my transition in the hospital. Even if I have to re-learn new names for the same medications as we used in the US. Much of the equipment we use daily is the same or very similar. The US is also a blend of many cultures. Although there are a few new cultures I am adjusting to, I realize that others are doing the same thing. NZ appears to welcome differences in cultures as long as cultures already here are remembered and respected.
It appears that NZ prides itself on incorporating culture and personal respect in decision making in patient care. Current medical advice and a patient’s culture or expectations do not always see eye to eye, but unlike my experiences in the US; allowances and compromises are made when everyone is involved in the plan of care. This can be refreshing and a bit confusing for me at times. My first impressions of NZ were that it was difficult not to be the tourist that takes pictures of every tree and hill in this beautiful country. The best parts of NZ are the beautiful outdoor parks that are free to everyone to use and allows for much quality time spent as a family. One of my daughters and my parents stayed in the USA so I do really miss them; (and Walmart!) but overall the move has been well worth it. My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is don’t be afraid to ask lots of question! You don’t know what you don’t know but staying silent can leave you uninformed.
Hi there! My name is Chelsea and I am a Registered Nurse working at Nelson Hospital in the ICU on a fixed term, 1 year contract. I came to New Zealand in December 2019 from the United States (specifically Wisconsin). The process to get over here wasn’t too bad. It took me 3 months to get my nursing registration and then maybe another 3 months to land a job/visa. To me, the hardest part was the registration process and specifically working with my College of Nursing and getting the course descriptions/syllabi sent to NZ, directly from the college. Apparently, the NZ Nursing Council is making the process easier than what it was though. The easiest part was landing a job. Kristin, my recruiter with ACCENT, was amazing at finding me a job in an area where I would thrive most. I was pretty picky in that I told her I wasn’t interested in big cities, preferred the South Island and near the mountains. Kristen never stopped looking for the “perfect fit” job and put up with my constant e-mails bugging her lol. She was very good at following up and providing me with timeframes on when I should hear from her. If you are interested in working as a nurse in NZ but are overwhelmed by the process, do not let that stop you. I promise you that it is so worth it. ACCENT is an amazing resource and will help you every step of the way!
My first impressions of NZ was that is was BEAUTIFUL, people were super friendly and welcoming, and the roads were narrow/difficult to navigate due to learning to drive on the “wrong side of the road.” LOL. Best part of NZ? Gosh, that’s so hard….. There is so much that is great about this country, but I guess one of the things that I love the most would have to be the wonderful people and “laid back” vibe. Also the terrain is so diverse and there is so much to do here. One minute you could be driving through a green, mountainous area, and the next a desert or coastline! There are tons of outdoor activities and the national parks are FREE and very well maintained compared to some in the states.
What do I miss most? Definitely my family and a white Christmas. This is my 2nd Christmas in warm weather and without snow and family, and it never really feels like “Christmas” without those 2 things. But, thanks to technology these days, staying in touch is fairly easy with video chat and social media.
There are quite a few differences that I have noticed while working as a nurse here, compared to the states. Some of these differences include: 8 hour shifts instead of 12, different terminology for things, different medication names, paper charting and no medication dispensing system, no respiratory therapists, and having to double check all IV medications with another nurse. I’ve also noticed that I’m not as burnt out at work and they take their “tea breaks” and lunch breaks very seriously, which I appreciate! You will also accumulate vacation days much faster here (4 weeks/year and extra vacation days for working holidays and overtime). Although there are quite a few differences compared to what I am used to back home, it isn’t a bad thing and I’m hoping it will make me a more well-rounded nurse. It is very interesting to work in another country, learn about another culture and their healthcare system, and adapt that to my practice.
New Zealand is a beautiful, safe country and I would 100% recommend working here to anyone!
Accent Health Recruitment > Case Studies > Nurses and Midwives > Chelsea – Registered Nurse – U.S.A to Nelson, New Zealand
Hello all! My name is Melissa and I am a registered nurse from San Diego, California. We just got out here to Hawks Bay NZ about a month ago, and I have since begun working as a nurse at the local hospital here in Hastings. It has been a long journey getting here, but was made as smooth and easy as possible working with Prudence and the team at Accent Health Recruitment.
It all started about 8 months ago on a chilly March evening. I had been on the look for travel nurse positions around and about the states. I had been talking with various travel nurse recruitment companies in the states, but had been having a hard time getting in touch and getting the job I wanted with them. Coming to New Zealand has always been at the top of must see travel list, but I always was just waiting for that someday to come along. Well on this chilly night, I started dreaming, and googled New Zealand.
After some browsing and exploring on the NZ immigration web site, I came across a link for working and living in NZ…brilliant idea! I soon came across a link for Accent Health Recruitment and sent an email requesting some info about possibly working in New Zealand. My heart was just starting to get really excited about the possibility of actually getting to live and work in NZ, and before I could get to much further into my dreaming, I received a quick email from Prudence only a few minutes after my request was sent! She was ready to get chatting right away about the prospects of moving to NZ to live and work. She called me just thirty minutes after my initial request online, and we were soon chatting away and walking through the steps of becoming eligible to get working in NZ. She was great about outlining what needed to be done step by step and what to expect. She was such a refreshing and hopeful voice to hear after having such a difficult time with local recruiters in the states. I appreciated her promptness and joy in working with me and helping walk me through each step starting from day one.
I am going to be honest. We did have one big hiccup and that was with the New Zealand Nursing Council. They were being very particular about some things on my BSN transcripts, and were being reluctant to accept my registration. However, Prudence and the team at Accent Health Recruitment would not take “NO” for an answer. She was such an advocate constantly. Prudence would get a “NO” from the NZNC and would communicate with them on my behalf and come back with a “YES!” She would be available to help even on holiday all the way in the UK. I was always reassured with hope that this was possible, and after seven months, we needed a little hope!
So needless to say, the battle was won, and here we are in beautiful New Zealand! Prudence helped get me a great job with a great manager and team, and they even had a welcome package when we arrived here, so welcoming. I want to encourage anyone who has the dream to jump out there and try something new, that you can do it! I am so glad I came across Accent Health Recruitment that night, and am so thankful for all the happy help always offered. I can’t imagine doing it all on my own, and I probably wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t utilized the help and service from Accent Health Recruitment and Prudence.
Have fun pursuing your dreams! Cheers! Melissa Taylor
Update: Melissa returned home to the US for a few years, but now has returned and was recently featured on TV One (pictured) alongside ACCENT’s MD, Prudence, about her role in the COVID response. It’s great to have you back, Melissa!
During my training as a midwife I knew I wanted to work abroad with my job. I decided early on that the heat and creepy crawlies in Australia were enough to put me off living there; so I decided to give New Zealand a go after hearing only amazing things about it.
The team at ACCENT Health helped me to find a job before I left the U.K. and put me in touch with ASB bank to set up a bank account upon arrival. I saved for a couple of years before moving to cover my costs; however I found it a great help knowing I had a job lined up beforehand as it took off a lot of financial pressure. The registration process to become a registered midwife in NZ was lengthy, but the visa application process was thankfully very easy and only took about a week to arrive. I’m currently on a two year work visa and may apply for residency once this has run out.
Working in the NZ healthcare system has been amazing. The facilities are great and the people I work with are so welcoming. I do 12-hour shifts three days per week which gives me four days off to travel and explore. So far I’ve been camping in New Plymouth; taken a long weekend tramping, gone sea kayaking in Picton and gone to a few music festivals including seeing Fatboy Slim play in a vineyard!
The move has changed my life for the better! My work-life balance is so good. The outdoor lifestyle is such a big thing here and it has done wonders for my mental health. If I could do anything differently, I would give myself more time before starting work to travel the country as travelling can take a long time in NZ, but I have many more trips planned.
I miss my family, friends and some food items in the U.K. but I feel that the quality of life is much better here. Plus everyone here is so friendly and it has been easy feeling part of the community.
My advice to anyone thinking about coming to NZ is just to do it! It’s a great place and I would thoroughly recommend it.
My Name is Marjorie and I am an Intellectual Disability Nurse. I came to NZ in May 2019 from the U.K. after a 32 month process.
The easiest part of the process was the Skype interviews. I felt that I could ask any questions and not be embarrassed, and I felt as if I knew the managers already because they were warm, approachable and friendly. They also arranged the interview at a time that was convenient for both of us.
The most challenging part of the process was doing IELTS and OET (but didn’t need them in the end) along NCNZ registration, which ACCENT helped me with.
My first impressions of NZ were everybody’s friendliness, and the many delicious vegetarian and vegan places to eat! Along with visiting amazing restaurants, my favourite things to do in NZ include visiting the museums, shopping and exploring the various beaches.
I haven’t yet visited any cities aside from Wellington, my new home city, but I love it so far. It’s a lovely city with lots of shops, beautiful scenery and not compact – you can always see the beautiful hills, sea and sunshine even whilst in the centre of town which just isn’t possible in the U.K.
What I miss the most is my husband, as he is settling matters in the UK, but will be joining me soon hopefully.
My workplace here offers a much more caring and friendly environment with much less pen pushing all the time. My team is smaller and able to offer a more personal service to the patients.
I also now have a much better work-life balance compared to the U.K. where I was stressed and tired from overworking 24/7. Here I can take days off work to enjoy a social life and go away for day trips and weekend trips.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is: don’t delay,”Less Stress, Love Life !” Be prepared to be amazed by the wonderful differences.
Accent Health Recruitment > Case Studies > Nurses and Midwives > Marjorie – Nurse – U.K. to Wellington
Hi ! My name is Lindsey and I’m a registered nurse from Scotland, UK. I came to NZ on August 5th this year as my partner is a kiwi and we decided to settle and live our life in this country. It probably took me about 8 months to get everything sorted for NZ. I submitted my residency visa application during the busiest period so that took a bit longer.
The easiest part of the process was definitely the job finding/applying/interview. Hayley from Accent made everything so simple and easy – she was the beacon of knowledge for me! My interview went so well and I have her to thank for that. She ensured I was thoroughly prepared and was in touch through the whole process. I got my number 1 choice job and location. It was also a lovely touch coming home after my first day to a wee box of “good luck” goodies.
It’s hard to say if there was a challenging part of the process – everything went so smooth. I guess it’s always pretty stressful when you submit your visa incase you’ve done it wrong or missed information but after it taking a fair bit of time, it went really smoothly too.
I used to live in New Zealand however worked in an adventure lodge and was around travellers a lot. This was my first experience of completely moving away from home and working as a nurse in another country.
My favourite thing about the country is probably the non-exsistence of the “keeping up with the Jones'” attitude. Everyone does their own thing here and buys things for the practicality of it (unless you do a Kmart spending spree).
What I really miss the most is Robinsons juice… and the family of course. In all seriousness it is hard leaving people behind but the world has became a smaller place with social media and technology that I probably speak to my family more now than at home and I’m lucky that they’re in a position to visit.
My advice if you’re planning to come to NZ is to prepare everything and research. Join facebook groups with like minded people and ask advice. Get opinions because I know that this country isn’t for everyone but that’s what makes it so special – like minded people. I’m lucky I’m in a good position with my partner and I’m supported by his family and our friends, I can understand how it will be hard for someone coming here themselves. What I’d say is if you’re here for the right reasons it will be worth the struggle at the start.
In relation to work I find things very similar to back home. I think the major difference is the MECA – we have nothing like that at home and I’m enjoying the support and work/life balance I have here that I definitely didn’t have in UK. I was so well supported with a 4 week orientation and everyone here has been so lovely! I couldn’t have asked for an easier transition. I still have a lot to learn but that’s why I’m in nursing as a career – learning new things everyday.
I came to NZ in October 2018 from Canada as a registered nurse.
The process to come to NZ took me 24 months – getting all of my licensing details to the NZ nursing board was the most challenging part of the process.
Thankfully, settling into life in NZ was the easiest part. My first impressions of NZ were: very friendly welcoming people, relaxed lifestyle and beautiful scenery. The things I find best are the weather, natural landscape, beaches and the people.
What I miss the most is oddly enough…the snow, and my family.
There are more similarities than differences when comparing my role in NZ to my previous role in Canada. The healthcare systems operate very similarly and the role is essentially the same. The only big difference is Canada has Respiratory Therapists and NZ does not, but it has been fun and informative to take on that role myself.
The biggest thing that helped me to transition and that I am still working on is finding people in a similar situation to myself. Making friends and meeting people, finding a ‘family’ here has been the most important part of transitioning for me.
My advice if you are thinking about coming to NZ is just to do it, I have found it to be such a very rewarding experience.
My name is Rachel and I am a clinical lead for Healthvision so I have a caseload of patients as well as being Designated Provider for the community nurses.
My husband, Rob, and I had our hearts set on coming to New Zealand after seeing the AHR team twice at a few immigration expos in our home city of Liverpool.
As my role is very specialised, I was worried I would never be able to get a job in NZ. The emigration process is frustrating but stick with it. I used to go onto the Down Under webinars wondering why we weren’t getting anywhere with the whole thing but suddenly things fell into place and we moved very quickly once the VISA’s were through.
One day, I received the best possible news; a role had popped up for me in New Zealand and they wanted to interview me! The ACCENT team were so great and organised the whole thing; even guiding me through the arduous registration process of the Nurse’s Council.
Once I got the job, it all happened very quickly. Prudence from ACCENT assisted us with everything from furniture removals and shipping, to accommodation recommendations, and is now even advising us on the residency process. I arrived in NZ on the Saturday and started work on the Wednesday. It’s been a whirlwind but an absolute dream come true.
For us, we haven’t had a single doubt that moving to NZ was exactly the right thing to do. The lifestyle is amazing; Rob and I love cycling and there are so many opportunities to do that here. The hardest thing about living in NZ is keeping your eyes on the road because everything is just so beautiful!
Aside from the amazing scenery (especially the turquoise water which I get to see every day while I drive around for work), we love the evenings where we are able to come home and walk to the sea which is 2 minutes’ walk and have a swim or else getting into our spa pool to relax. I miss my son who is 20 and staying in the UK but has the intention to join us within the year.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is go for it…… I so wish I’d done it sooner. So far I have absolutely no regrets at all and fitting in really well. The people are all so friendly and we’ve made lots of new friends already.
My Name is Lucy and I am a Registered Nurse in Child Health. I came to NZ in February 2019 from the United Kingdom. The process to come to NZ took me 9 months in total.
The easiest part of the process was finding a job- ACCENT listened to exactly where I wanted to work and found a job really quickly and prepped me for my interview really well. The most challenging part of the process was collecting all the documents (especially references) for my NZ registration.
I worked in PICU in the UK and now I work on a children’s surgical unit so they are very different jobs anyway, but it was my decision to go down a different route. There are some things that are done differently but the team I work with are very supportive and so it is easier to get used to the way things work. More technology seems to be used in the UK (for notes etc.) but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing and things are constantly changing to improve services. The hospital has a clinical educator who is responsible for orientating and supporting the new staff which has made everything easier for me. This is similar in the UK too!
The wards are run really well here in NZ but there is also more of a relaxed atmosphere which makes working a lot nicer. It is very difficult to compare exactly as I am working in a different area but there is a lot of variety where I work which is really interesting, so I am learning a lot!
My first impressions of NZ were the amazing country with amazing scenery and everyone is really friendly. I travelled around before I started work which was really fun (especially Abel Tasman!) but I have really enjoyed settling into Wellington. It is a great little city with a lot going on and a lot of outdoor things to do too. I miss my family, but having technology like Skype makes things a lot easier.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is start early because it takes a while to get everything together. Prioritise what is important to you in where you want to live so you can choose the best place for you. I would recommend anyone who is thinking of coming to NZ- even if it is just for a short time- to do it because it is a great country and settling in has been the easiest it could have been because of the friendly and welcoming people who are here.
Using ACCENT was also a really good decision because it took the pressure off finding a job and they were really good at offering general advice for moving over.
Accent Health Recruitment > Case Studies > Nurses and Midwives > Lucy – Registered Nurse – U.K.
My Name is Clare I am a Midwife I came to NZ in August 2018 from Scotland, UK.
The process to come to NZ took me 6 months (from accumulating enough experience to apply to the NZ Midwifery Council to starting my role in NZ.)
The easiest part of the process was the job hunt! Prudence at Accent Health did all the leg work of securing, setting up interviews, and took time out to do mock interviews over skype which made the real thing (also via skype) much less daunting. Happily in my case, my first interview lead to a job offer.
The most challenging part of the process was: There is a lot of paperwork and time required putting together a portfolio and submitting all the required paperwork to the NZ Midwifery Council to gain registration, but I decided to look on it as a worthwhile reflective and professional development activity. I was also due to revalidate with the NMC in the UK this year and after doing my NZ application, most things were also good to go for that! Helpful hint: I found the templates on the NMC Revalidation website very useful for putting together much of my application to the New Zealand Midwifery Council.
My first impressions of NZ were: I was lucky to have visited NZ several times previously, but my partner hadn’t. We arrived on a beautiful, bright, sunny, calm winter weekend and I thought If this is Winter I think well be grand. I struggle with how dark UK winters can be. Although not sunny every day in NZ, the winter days definitely seem brighter than Scotland.
The best parts of NZ are: More dependable weather to be able to enjoy an outdoors lifestyle, and a general get up and go attitude which I feel has a positive influence on me.
What I miss the most is: Family and friends and missing important events such as Weddings back home. However Facetime is an incredible invention! Not that I’ve remotely attended a wedding…yet!
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is:
Be organised and take time to do your research buy a few folders and lots of poly-pockets and dividers! I am typically not that organised a person but would have been overwhelmed by the admin side of the move if I hadn’t forced myself to keep on top of it all.
Anything else you would like to say:
It has been a full-on year getting organised and moving overseas. We are still sleeping on an airbed as we wait on our container arriving from the UK. But it’s also been such an adventure and I am pretty amazed at what my partner and I have achieved together in this last year. We shared responsibility for different parts of the move (i.e. I took the lead on finding the initial job offer and renting out our home in the UK and my partner researched and organised shipping and flights etc). So my advice would be if you are planning to move over with someone, play to each others strengths. We also arrived in New Zealand on the Friday and I started work full time on the Monday….with hindsight I would recommend a little more time to draw breath and see a bit of New Zealand before launching in to work fulltime. We have discovered that Annual Leave is on average 4 weeks per year in NZ as opposed to the almost 6 weeks we enjoyed in Scotland. So now working, we are more limited in the time off we can accumulate to go explore and enjoy the parts of this incredibly beautiful country that aren’t on our doorstep
When thinking about accommodation when you first arrive in NZ we would recommend:
Checking out house sitting websites. We arranged a housesit on a small farm for a month looking after their dogs and cows while they were overseas. It was a month of free accommodation while we looked for a rental property, and a great introduction to a kiwi-lifestyle we would love to create for ourselves one day.
Questions about your new workplace:
Are there any major differences between your current role in NZ and your previous role in Scotland:
The system of maternity care differs in NZ to Scotland in that women in choose an independent midwife (known as a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC)). This is a free service to women and the LMC invoices the government for their time. The LMC will co-ordinate the woman’s maternity journey and also provide intrapartum care. My role as a hospital based midwife on the delivery suite is to care for women in labour who may not have booked with an LMC, may be experiencing interventions such as labour augmentation or an epidural (care for which their LMC may not have an agreement with the hospital to provide), or women requiring transfer to theatre.
Communication with an LMC is so important in my role. It is a new dynamic to get used to. Often an LMC will hand over care to a hospital midwife (such as myself) but stay in a supportive role which is fantastic for the women and often they are a very useful second pair of eyes and hands! But it’s remembering that you are the responsible practitioner in the room once care is handed over; which can feel a bit different when you know the LMC may have many more years of experience than you. But with open communication I have experienced it so far as a positive dynamic. The system of care here seems not too dissimilar to the principles of Best Start which is being developed in Scotland – the main difference being, LMC’s are self-employed and negotiate their own workloads as opposed to working for an employer such as the NHS.
Are there any similarities that have helped you orientate/transition easily?
I have found the high standards of care in NZ very similar to Scotland (i.e. an evidence based-approach to practice and being accountable as a midwife for your actions and omissions). I made no secret in my application for the job that my 3 years post qualification experience in the UK had been predominantly community based and I still had many hospital based skills to consolidate. In my new role as a core district health board midwife I received 4 weeks supernumerary orientation on the delivery suite, working alongside an assigned midwife each shift. I have to commend my employer on developing a very thorough orientation package which meant that once I was flying solo I knew what was expected of me in my role, where to find equipment, which paperwork needs completed and when etc. Happily every colleague I have encountered so far has been friendly, approachable and supportive, as were my amazing NHS colleague I left behind in
Edinburgh. I feel it is important to have a strong team around you when working in a very emotive, often fast-paced department such as maternity and it was a real worry I had before
starting but happily in my case I needn’t have stressed.
Is there anything specifically done differently in NZ that has interested you and the way you practice your profession?
With regards to standards of practice it is very similar to the UK. Birth in NZ is very much viewed as a family event and there is no limit on the number of family/friends a women wishes present at her birth. While it can sometimes make the birthing rooms feel a little crowded, it can often lead to a very positive and supportive atmosphere. Most women do just decide to have one or two people present to support them but I think it is positive that if they wish more they are allowed more people as it is their birth experience…not mine…and it is lovely that that is acknowledged.
Kia Ora! My name is Eleanor I am a registered adult nurse from Manchester in the UK. I arrived in New Zealand in August with my boyfriend Matt, direct from the UK and then I started a surgical nursing job at Dunedin hospital.
The process to come over to NZ took 10 months in total. The easiest part of the process was applying for my work to residency visa, it took about 3 days to arrive, it was straightforward and completed over the internet with NZ immigration.
Getting a job offer was also pretty straightforward; ACCENT found me an interview really quickly, in a surgical speciality and in Dunedin – a location that was great for me. I had a Skype interview at the end of June which I had a couple of prep days for and was offered the job the next day- It all happened very quickly! ACCENT were great, I can’t thank them enough- especially the ACCENT HR team who stayed in contact throughout the whole process.
I also attended an expo in Manchester, UK and spoke with Prudence, I joined in a webinar online to see what the process was like and get as much information as I could on the process. It can seem a little overwhelming at first with all the documentation and requirements, but ACCENT made this really easy to understand and go through the process step by step.
Take it one step at a time. The most challenging part of the process was definitely acquiring the NZ nursing registration. This was the most time consuming part and took 9 months, mostly due to communication issues from the NZ nursing council. Having to post everything rather than email takes time, my university transcripts got lost in the post too! Sitting the IELTS exam and finding all the information the NZ nursing council need takes time-I found this part a little frustrating, but it was all worked out.
ACCENT was really awesome helping me get my registration in time for the start date required for my job offer. My boyfriend and I travelled in a camper extensively during a 12 month working holiday visa in 2014/15 and I had previously backpacked NZ in 2009 for a month. We both really enjoyed the lifestyle and beautiful scenery in NZ, so we wanted to come back to live here. So we knew what to expect when arriving in NZ. We already had NZ bank accounts and IRD numbers from our previous visit-although we were working on a dairy farm, quite different to nursing!
Having these arranged before arriving in NZ means you can hit the ground running. Prior to this nursing job offer we had probably spent about 4 days in Dunedin in total! It is a great city- vibrant, great beaches close by and awesome wildlife on your doorstep! How often do you walk a beach with a Sea lion on it?!
The best part of NZ for us is the outdoors, hiking, great beaches, cafe culture and a better work life balance. Dunedin is a great location for us as the South Island highlights are a 3.5 hr drive away – Queenstown/Wanaka, Fiordland, Mt Cook. On our days off we go on road trips in our little campervan. On shorter trips we visit the Catlins- a couple of hours away on the southern scenic highway. The scenery is stunning!
I definitely miss friends and family the most, I have never really felt homesick and we have both been overseas backpacking for 2 years but moving to a new country and job is quite challenging, I found at the beginning it was quite lonely. It is totally normal to feel like this- give it time!
My advice is continuing your hobbies in NZ. I go regularly to Yoga and have made some lovely friends through this, my work colleagues are always socialising too and really friendly. Six months later we feel much more settled, we have got used to cold houses! Twelve months later we are pretty much sorted, we have a cat called Buckles, a couple of mountain bikes and a cute bach to live in overlooking the peninsula. I would never get a view like this back in the UK!
My advice when coming to New Zealand is do some research into where you want to live and to be prepared for the costs. It can be expensive relocating. There are the costs to get a visa, nursing registration and flights. Then setting up a new life in a new country is initially quite costly – vehicle, shipping possessions, rent etc. I saved up back in the UK working full time nursing and living at home for cheaper living costs for 18 months prior to coming to NZ, which also meant I didn’t have any rental agreements or ties- so I could leave quickly.
We find the cost of living in NZ is comparable to the UK. Also consider how long it will take you to sort out the move. I only had 10 days between finishing in my full time UK nursing job and flying to NZ. In hindsight, this wasn’t enough time! The 10 days between finishing my UK job and flying to NZ were the most stressful, as I had to pack everything I own, sort out finances, sell my car and say goodbye to everyone. I managed it all….just! I was exhausted and emotionally drained. I think I slept most of the 31 hrs it took to get NZ! I had 4 days in NZ before I started work in Dunedin- to find somewhere to live and recover from jetlag. I would definitely have preferred to have had a bit more time to get myself together before I left and before I started my job here in NZ.
ACCENT were amazing meeting us at the airport and welcoming us with a great coffee and biscuits! ACCENT gave us both sim cards and has stayed in contact to see how we are getting on. Accent connected me with another UK nurse who had been in Dunedin for a while, this was great to learn about the city and get tips on where to visit.
Nursing in NZ is very similar to the UK once you get your head around the different lingo, I find it less busy but my NHS ward in the UK was flat out 24/7. I felt settled in my job after 6 months-but for me that is usual in most jobs here or back in the UK. My colleagues were really friendly and welcoming. I have made some great friends. I feel like I get more time to deliver care in NZ which is a big plus, having time to talk with patients is a great privilege. There is hardly any traffic so the post night shift commute doesn’t involve sitting in rush hour traffic! NZ is a beautiful country and working and living here is a great experience, no matter how long you plan to stay for. Come with an open mind and immerse yourself in the outdoors. The scenery is second to none. The work life balance is pretty sweet too. The adventure continues….
My name is Charlotte and I am an Emergency Department Registered Nurse.
I came to NZ in August, 2018 from the U.S. after a year-long process. It was really challenging dealing with my former nursing school, but I had expected getting my clinical hours converted into something understandable would be a laborious process, which it was.
Luckily, the job interview itself was the easy part. ACCENT (especially Hayley) prepared me well. My first impression of New Zealand was that the people are friendly and easy to get along with. The Northland is green and the weather awesome. If you are a gardener, you’ll love it here. I haven’t had a chance to spend much time outside of the northern part of the country, but Northland is a great place to live and work. The forests and beaches draw folks from all over the world for good reason.
There are numerous differences between my present position as a RN in the emergency department at Whangarei Hospital, the large base regional hospital in Northland, NZ and my prior position in the ED of a tiny rural critical access hospital in Northern California. There were far fewer patients, staff and resources in Quincy, CA, and most sick patients are shipped from the tiny ED. However, the sheer number and types of health complaints are very similar to what I encountered in the city of San Diego where I used to work. They treat pain differently here in NZ, however. It isn’t considered the fifth vital sign. Opioids are uncommonly given. My fellow nurses have never heard of Dilaudid. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen are the most common medications given. That being said, my experience in the ED of a large hospital in San Diego prepared me easily for my present position. Sure there are a few differences, but for the most part the work is same.
I will say that my fellow workers here in NZ are from far more culturally diverse backgrounds than my former co-workers in the US, even in San Diego. I work with folks from every English-speaking country, plus more (!). It is a treat to learn from their past work experiences and travels. The other big difference is that as a nurse I am expected to be able to provide all the respiratory therapies. This something that was done by specially trained respiratory therapists in the US. I am still learning, but fortunately my co-workers are willing and great instructors.
Of course I miss my family and friends back in the States. I spend every conversation I have with them trying to convince each that the long flight is worth the visit. I think, in time, I will be successful.
If you are planning on coming to NZ, spend some time learning about Maori culture and some of the language. While most of the European Kiwi culture will seem immediately familiar to most folks, chances are the Maori culture will be pretty exotic, and since it is a vital part of main stream life, especially in Northland, it would be worth learning about. About half of my patients are Maori. Also save your pennies; just about everything is more expensive here. Having said that, people still get by easily. Second hand shops are popular.
Finally, environmentalism is important here. Recycling and protecting native species are considered important. It isn’t just something a few folks talk about. It is interlaced in everyday culture.
My Name is Jolyn, I am a working as a Prison Nurse in Christchurch New Zealand.
I came to NZ in May and the process took me about 3 months or so. The easiest part of the process was getting my work visa after Prue received my job offer. The most challenging part of the process was going back and forth from Queenstown to Christchurch for the interview and scope day.
The best parts of NZ are the scenery, outdoor activities and the friendly people. What I miss the most back home is my family.
My advice if you are planning to come to NZ is to make sure you have all your qualifications and credentials ready. You must give your referees back home a heads up as response may take awhile from them. Make sure that you are completely mentally and emotionally ready for a new career and adventure in NZ.
Anything else you would like to say? My experience with Accent was awesome. Prudence was with me all the way through and never have I felt that I was alone doing the process. The feedback from my employer was fast after the interview and everything went well with my work visa. In a few months time, I will be applying for Permanent Residency as I am loving it here and have no plans to go back home anytime soon.
Home Page
Home Page