Nurses in New Zealand

The Ministry of Health encourages employers and services to ensure the nursing skill mix is planned to match the level of health need in the population.

New Zealand nursing graduates can apply for jobs at the health district of their choice through the Advance Choice of Employment (ACE) scheme.

Nurse practitioners are highly skilled autonomous health practitioners who have advanced education, clinical training and demonstrated competency.

These programmes assess nurses’ levels of practice and support their ongoing professional development.

The scopes of nursing practice in New Zealand include registered nurses, enrolled nurses and nurse practitioners.

Nursing provides opportunities to work in diverse settings and roles. Each scope of practice requires a different level of education.

Information for overseas nurses considering working in New Zealand, including registration requirements. You can also work as a nurse manager, in nurse education, as a nurse researcher or as a nurse practitioner.