New Zealand nurse registration is the process of applying for registration as a nurse in New Zealand after completing an approved program of study. To become a registered nurse, applicants must complete a three-year Bachelor of Nursing degree or a two-year graduate entry master’s degree. Enrolled nurse applicants must have a Diploma in Enrolled Nursing or a comparable qualification.
The Nursing Council requires you to complete information that verifies your identity, nursing qualification, current overseas registration, English language competence and post-registration nursing practice hours.
Competence assessment process
The Nursing Council will require some internationally qualified nurses to successfully complete a competence assessment. That includes the following:
Theoretical examination
This is an online multi-choice examination that tests nursing knowledge, and it is taken at an accredited examination centre overseas or in New Zealand.
The clinical OSCE Exam
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
OSCE take place in person at a Nursing Council-approved simulation The OSCE assesses the candidate’s applied nursing knowledge, communication, and safe clinical practice at the level of a New Zealand-registered nurse.
• You must complete 10 OSCE scenarios (stations) in 120 minutes.
• If you do not pass the OSCE, you can re-sit the exam two more times.