[pete&kaz]

Hi there, this is Kaz of pete&kaz. We are new to the forum but have been skulking around for a few weeks now and thought it was time we intro-ed ourselves! Have done lots of research and this is by far the most useful forum I have come across to date!

Hubby is a dis-illusioned (with the NHS!) UK ODP/Anaesthetic Technician with 20+ years experience and we are looking into the merits of a complete life change - just a shame you have to go the the other side of the world to be appreciated professionally, afford a decent house and enjoy a good standard of living!

I am sure this will ring bells with lots of others and we are particularly keen to hear from other ODPs who have defected from the NHS to a new life in NZ (was it worth it, what's the real story about life in NZ). We would look to go the SMC route with Pete as the main applicant, myself and our little boy on his shirttails! I am a Reiki healer and currently training to become a Clinical Hypnotherapist with a view to setting up my own practice once in NZ and am keen to hear how popular the complimentary healthcare sector is in NZ.

I haven't come across any ODPs posting on this site so if you are out there please GIT, or if there are others in the healthcare sector who can offer insight please reply as well.

We look forward to your words of wisdom!

Kaz

[able]

Hi pete&kaz - welcome to the forum. I can't help with your question but I'm sure someone will know. Could be worth asking about it in the "Working" part of the forum. http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16

[speckythecky]

Welcome to the forum,

Also can't help with q's just wanted to say hi and good luck

[Patricia]

All I can tell you is that my son Is a forensic physciatric nurse, he went out to NZ 4 yrs ago and wouldn't come back to work for the NHS again, he has a much better lifestyle and a better house than he could ever hope for in the UK. They are apparently crying out for good medical & nursing staff so give it a try.

[pete&kaz]

All I can tell you is that my son Is a forensic physciatric nurse, he went out to NZ 4 yrs ago and wouldn't come back to work for the NHS again, he has a much better lifestyle and a better house than he could ever hope for in the UK. They are apparently crying out for good medical & nursing staff so give it a try.


Thanks all for your word of welcome, particularly interested to hear again from Patricia re your son's experience - ie which part of the UK does he hail from, which area has he found work & settled and if you don't mind me asking how much he had to pay for his new house (a key consideration for us although I know it depends on the area/island).

Kaz

[rachandlee]

Hi Kaz,
We are going out in Aug. Hopefully! We are planning to live in Northshore. I have a job in northshore in general theatres and my ODP hubby has a job in Auckland.
The paper work for registration has already taken 6-7 weeks and its been sent back once even when a solicitors checked it.
We are not as dispondant about the NHS as many people we know and we are going to a lot lower paid jobs as we are leaving sisters posts. I think its more for our daughters future I dont want her leaving university in £30,000 pounds of debt never to afford her own home and just be working to pay for the many social dependants in this country.
The only thing I am very worried about is finding child care as we wont have our fab parents who help us out so much.
Keep in touch Id love to know how you get on. Rach

[pete&kaz]

Hi Rach
Best of luck with your move and look forward to following your story - how long has it taken from EOI to PR (assuming this has been granted - is the reg you mentioned with NZATS or the immigration process?). What made you decide on the Northshore area - purely jobs or have you done a reccie? Will send a PM and hope to keep in touch.

Kaz

[stephenandjulie]

All I can tell you is that my son Is a forensic physciatric nurse, he went out to NZ 4 yrs ago and wouldn't come back to work for the NHS again, he has a much better lifestyle and a better house than he could ever hope for in the UK. They are apparently crying out for good medical & nursing staff so give it a try.

I am currently a Forensic Psychiatric Nurse working in Devon. I (along with my family) am flying to Christchurch on the 27th of May to take up a position in one of their Long Term Rehabilitation Units.:raebanana

We started the process around September last year and have completed all of the paperwork ourselves, including my nursing registration. I am currently waiting for my practicing certificate from the Nursing Organisation of New Zealand which should arrive any day now. :clap

I was suprised to hear that people have had problems with solicitors filling out their applications, as this was something I had considered myself and am now quite relieved that we chose to complete them ourselves.:nice1

We as a family are hoping that we can finally stop renting and own our own home which in the UK is impossible unless you are willing to borrow stupid amounts of money (as a first time buyer). I am currently earning what would normally be considered a good wage but am fed up seeing a huge portion of it going into the hands my landlord and not securing a future for my family. :wah

We are very excited to be going on this adventure and it may cost us our savings but we would rather invest them them going to New Zealand and not watch them slowly disappearing into our landlords pocket

One thing I am looking forward to is the great working conditions all UK nurses seem to be experiencing in New Zeland and not the constant battle to achieve a safe working invironment, which sadly is a fact of life here in the UK, especially within psychiatric nursing.

Good luck to all any questions feel free to pm me

[pete&kaz]

Sounds like its all worked out well for you, stephenandjulie, hope to follow your progress in NZ, it's guys like you who give the rest of us hope and inspiration and courage to take the leap ourselves.

Couple of qs:
Did you have over 140 points to guarantee automatic selection b4 your job offers?
Where are you settling/working in NZ?
How long were your employers prepared to keep the job offer/s open?

Kaz

[stephenandjulie]

Sounds like its all worked out well for you, stephenandjulie, hope to follow your progress in NZ, it's guys like you who give the rest of us hope and inspiration and courage to take the leap ourselves.

Couple of qs:
Did you have over 140 points to guarantee automatic selection b4 your job offers?
Where are you settling/working in NZ?
How long were your employers prepared to keep the job offer/s open?

Kaz


I only had 130 points but was still selected within a week of submitting.
we are moving to Christchurch.
My job will start at the end of June it will have been held for over 4 months

My practicing certificate arrived yesterday so can start work once I have had a clear mrsa test