US -- New Zealand nurse practitioner
Posted by alice_is_on_the_moon@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 44 comments
Hi! Are there any Nurse Practitioners that have moved from the US to New Zealand?
How are you liking it? Is the practice similar? How are the docs? Anything you wish you knew ahead of time?
CapableEmu14@reddit
I too, am an NP looking at the possibility of making the jump to NZ with my family. I don't mind stating it is because of the elections, we are doing what we can, but we also have a non-binary child and I refuse to put their health and safety at risk at such a pivotal time in their life if it comes down to it. We live in very rural new england and I work for an FQHC (largely run through federal government subsidy, vast underserved populations) as a primary care provider, and it is also likely my job will be at risk for services I provide, so we are just starting the process of looking ahead. I've looked thoroughly at all of the official resources, my three questions are:
Thank you so much for your kind consideration. This process is making us wonder at times why we don't just make the jump regardless of political circumstance, things that drove us to live where we currently do (schools with large amounts of outdoor times, access to mountain biking, skiing, rock climbing and safe and laid back communities) seem to be the norm in NZ rather than the exception we have had to hunt for in the US.
Ambitious-Rip-1046@reddit
Did you make any moves? I’m also an NP and honestly worried about potentially missing our window to get the eff out. Shits getting pretty scary.
Delicious-Mouse-7581@reddit
I feel exactly the same. Need to get out asap.
Jarjarbinks_86@reddit
Yes considering the jump myself with my family. Also would love to hear back on this from US citizens who made the jump.
Remote-Department-22@reddit
Did any of you US trained NPs make in to NZ? I am In the process of uploading my data to Trumerit
Delicious-Mouse-7581@reddit
Hi,
I am currently working on my information with Trumerit as well. I find the whole process confusing for an NP. Are you submitting under "Registered Nurse - Nurse Practitioner" or "Registered Nurse"? I was reading that you need to be registered in NZ first as Registered Nurse and then later apply for NP certification but it is not very clear. I tried to call the NZ nursing counsil 3x today and no luck getting a person. I also tried to email but have not heard back.
I read some people online saying that I should register as a nurse and then get an Senior RN position while wating for my NP Credentials to come in. Seems like a waste, I have been working in the US as a Primary care NP for the last 5 years, would be quite different to start working as an RN again.
I am wondering if anyone has been through this process and helped. For some background we are planning to move March 2026 so I have some time to hopefully navigate. When I am looking there does seem to be some job postings for Primary Care NPs or GP/NP positions which gives me hope I just need to get though this credentialing stuff.
Any advise helpful.
alwaystooupbeat@reddit
You should be aware that nurse practitioners in NZ do not have the same level of responsibility or pay as in the US. In the US, nurse practitioners are taking on a lot of doctor type roles, but in NZ, they wouldn't. The scope is more limited. See here: https://nursingcouncil.org.nz/Public/NCNZ/nursing-section/Nurse_practitioner.aspx
If you're still interested, see here. You'll need an employer, you'll need to do a competence assessment program, and will have to register with the Nursing Council.
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/pathway-for-health-professionals-to-nursing-jobs-in-new-zealand
https://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/IQN
Things you should know: NZ's health system is, unfortunately, in crisis. Housing shortage are seriously problematic; depending on your income, you're going to struggle to find housing.
https://www.reddit.com/r/newzealand/comments/1c7gi50/an_honest_discussion_of_the_housing_crisis/?rdt=44432
Zestyclose-Let-4770@reddit
I’m not sure I agree with NPs in NZ not taking on the same level of responsibility. Most NPs I know (including myself) are in consultant roles where a doctor cannot be sought. Could you elaborate on your comment “in NZ, they wouldn’t”?
I do agree that the pay is rather lacking for the level of responsibility and autonomy we have.
Funnily enough, I am a UK NP living in NZ, considering a move to the US given the status of this country in all domains at the moment. Been here 20 years and quite sad to watch my children grow up in such a different environment.
alwaystooupbeat@reddit
Sure- I was referring to leadership and autonomy. In the US, NPs fall into three types of roles, which includes Full, Reduced, or Restricted, depending on the state. At Full Practice, NPs in the US sometimes own and run their own private practice without any medical doctors. The last I checked (I think 2018?) that wasn't the case in NZ.
I agree, the pay is shameful in NZ. It's sad, I love NZ, but the salaries vs cost of living, even if you get a high wage, is pretty bad.
abeorch@reddit
Considered checking the New Zealand nursing council website to see if your qualifications can be transferred?
alice_is_on_the_moon@reddit (OP)
Already done. All legal and technical issues are appropriately being handled.
This question is more about the things like work life balance, providing care in a different country and culture and overall satisfaction with the experience.
texas_asic@reddit
Nurses have been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons: nursing students not able to get jobs, foreign nurses spending money and time to get their certifications transferred only to remain unemployed:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/524325/not-enough-nurses-too-many-or-an-artificial-glut
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/09/28/philippine-govt-urges-great-caution-to-nurses-considering-nz-move/
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/532842/nurses-accuse-te-whatu-ora-of-putting-costs-ahead-of-safe-staffing-levels
Apologies if you're already aware, but it seems like critically important context for a nurse considering moving to NZ
Jarjarbinks_86@reddit
I read those article and without clarification from locals in healthcare I don’t believe this pertains to nurse practitioners as much as RNs. I could be wrong so further clarification for anyone in the know would be great.
Carmypug@reddit
I’m from NZ and there is a hiring freeze at the moment in the health industry. Work / life balance compared to the US will be night and day. Saying that depending on where you live housing is terrible, either high rent or high house prices. Also there is next to no public transport and everything is expense and hard to get.
Saying that all people have marriage equality and abortions are very straightforward.
Snuttons@reddit
Wait, are you talking about NZ having high housing costs and no public transportation, or the US?
Carmypug@reddit
? Did you read my comment?
Snuttons@reddit
Yes, I did. Are you familiar with public transportation systems in the US?
Carmypug@reddit
Yes I am. In your major cities you have public transport. Today in our main city the whole of the train network will be down for 60+ days. I lived in London and people complained about the tube … they don’t even have trains outside of Auckland and Wellington. Go to the main NZ subs and huge numbers of the posts are around the house prices and public transport.
Snuttons@reddit
Public transportation is non-existent for the vast majority of people in the US. Aside from NYC, in the major cities a minority of the population uses it. In minor cities a fraction of the people use it because service is poor. In huge swaths of the country it doesn’t exist at all. Few countries in the world have a weaker public transportation system than the US. Maybe NZ is one of them?
Carmypug@reddit
I live in Auckland the biggest city in NZ with around 1M people. It’s not even a fraction of a size of US cities. However, in the biggest city in NZ we have a substandard and expensive public transport system. I’m not sure what you’re trying to say but as someone who lives here the public transport system is awful.
NZ is not an a utopian paradise people seem to think it is. I’m simply trying to advise anyone who wants to move here that for the biggest city in NZ public transport if atrocious. People are lucky that the bus even arrives … it’s news here that the trains don’t break down on an average day.
Also don’t get me started on house prices.
Snuttons@reddit
PS- with 1 million people, Auckland would be the 10th largest city in the US. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population?wprov=sfti1
Carmypug@reddit
And yet we have a substandard public transport system.
Yes I have been to a number of US cities with public transport which is outstanding, San Fransisco, NYC, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC. Again you may have visited NZ but unless you live here and have to put up with expensive busses / trains that either are broken or don’t show up you cant complain.
Like I said I lived in London for four years and I laughed every time someone complained about the tube. We’re about to have the trains not running for a 1/3 of the year next year.
Jarjarbinks_86@reddit
Yes but most Americans, myself included, hate public transit so driving is just fine with me.
Snuttons@reddit
Yes, you’re right, if it were in the US, Auckland would be the 10th largest city in the country, yet have the 7th best public transportation system. And neither the US nor Auckland have a system as good as London, or Paris or Berlin for that matter. What’s your point?
Snuttons@reddit
Have you been to the US? I’ve been to Auckland, granted d along time ago but if you crunch the numbers you’ll find that a million people ranks it pretty high in the US. (Obviously, it’s a bigger country and there’s a big difference between city size and the metropolitan area, but still it’s not like a million people is nothing). I’m not suggesting it’s a utopian paradise, but stop trying to make it sound like a hellhole.
Carmypug@reddit
Sorry I was wrong. They are shutting it down for 100 days … https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/533207/auckland-rail-network-to-shut-nearly-100-days-next-year
cr1zzl@reddit
Although NZ needs more nurses, the government is making things really difficult right now / cost cutting and hire freezing.
I would encourage you to try your best to get through because like I said we really need nurses, but it might not be easy.
orlandoaustin@reddit
Is this because of the election?
searchaskew@reddit
Why do you keep asking this question in all of these (somewhat obvious) election-influenced posts? Just give the context if it changes your reply.
orlandoaustin@reddit
Because people should be honest. 99.9% will not be able to move an the equivalent of a US bachelor degree is done in two years at the age of 16-18 in most western countries. For instance, A Levels in the UK.
So average 18 year old in UK has 6 US bachelors degree.
So yes it is relevant. Until people state "because of the election" I will keep asking.
BirdBarrister@reddit
What the actual fuck are you talking about? Put down the pipe and get off the internet. Smh
jesusgrandpa@reddit
They doesn’t even make sense. Any of it. Even if that incoherent drivel in the first two statements even made sense what does that have to do with you asking if the election was a catalyst?
orlandoaustin@reddit
Because if someone says:
I am a licensed XYZ majority of the qualifications are not applicable. Completely different if moving from one European to another. Just like if an American electrician moved to the UK...what they gonna do fix a fuse? It is completely different.
This post like many others is because of the election
estrea36@reddit
Many countries have job shortage lists that prospective foreigners can use as a guideline for transferring their skillset abroad.
Nursing is on many of those shortage lists.
Other examples include Irelands stamp 1A visa or a myriad of professions that qualify for the Canada/US/Mexico TN visa and FSWP visa.
alice_is_on_the_moon@reddit (OP)
my husband has two masters, I have nearly completed my doctorates.
akhalilx@reddit
What is this nonsense? It's not even close to true.
alice_is_on_the_moon@reddit (OP)
Nah. It's because we watched LoTR
We lived in Korea for a little while, enjoyed the experience and have also lived all over the US. We both have occupations that allow for mobility. So why not.
But also this is something we've been working on for the last year. The election isn't our motivating factor, but is further encouragement to continue with our plans.
exsnakecharmer@reddit
Look up recent funding cuts to our health system.
You’ll be coming into a system that is being ripped apart by our own conservative government.
Google things like hiring freezes in health nz or health cuts by government (add ‘stuff’ or ‘nz herald’ or ‘RNZ’ to get news articles)
alice_is_on_the_moon@reddit (OP)
This is helpful information! Thank you!
exsnakecharmer@reddit
I hope you come because we need health workers, but we need health workers because all our are leaving due to shit pay and conditions 😥
alice_is_on_the_moon@reddit (OP)
Tbf...I'd be coming from an already broken system of shit pay and conditions. I probably wouldn't even notice enough to mind 😭
exsnakecharmer@reddit
The issue here is also COL compared to wages. So things like petrol ($8-9 a gallon), housing, and food costs are extortionate.
jesusgrandpa@reddit
How’s the tech field out there? Do you know?
jesusgrandpa@reddit
Does your license transfer there? I was looking into moving there sometime, I’m a software developer but have an old LPN license. I don’t know if New Zealand has an equivalent for LPN but an RN wouldn’t be hard to get real quick for job security.