[Mrs TW]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone offer me any information about district nursing, specifically in Christchurch - our preferred location if we ever get our ITA sorted!!

Here in England, Primary care Trusts employ district nurses. Does the same apply in NZ? If so, where might I find averts for jobs?

I have found Nurse Maude in Christchurch, but the small information I have found makes me wonder if they are a private agency commissioned in by health services.

Any help or information would be greatly received. I am in the process at the moment of registering wiht NZ nursing council and have applied for transcripts of courses etc, but I have a sneaking suspicion this may take a while :( If any one has advise on this too I would appreciate it.

Finally, does anyone know if there is a demand for district nursing within the christchurch area? Am I likely to get a job before arriving or will it be easier to come over and then find employmeny?

Thanks in advance, being to feel a bit desperate now

Nicki

[leachio]

Hi Nicki,

We are in the same boat! I was a DN in York workin for a very skint PCT :laugh I registered with NZ council in UK before we came out (1 mth ago) Must admit when I saw the paperwork I couldnt beleive all the info they wanted, but once I broke it down it was all quite manageable. I would however advise sendin off for your police check asap as it takes up to 40days. I finished Uni in Edinburgh in 2002 and just had to ring them to ask for my transcripts, fortunatley the woman I dealt with made it all very easy, again there was a charge £30 I recall. Then the NMC have to fill in a form, they also charged me, cant remember how much. I never had a problem gettin my referees fortunatley, and I think I had everythin sent across within about a month. I did however get frustrated with NZ council cos I emailed them to say Id sent all my bits over inc my bank details and please would they let me know they'd arrived as Id hate my details to get into the wrong hands. To this day she still hasn't emailed to tell me that! The money was taken out of my bank very quickly so I figured they recieved it all ok. I then emailed about 3-4 wks before we flew to check and say our adress was gonna change a few times and I didnt want my registration to get lost in the post. I did get a reply to say it was all processed and on its way to me, took about 2wks till I recieved it. All in all it only took 2 months so I was happy with that.

You will recieve a certificate of registration from them but I didnt know that you also have to pay for a certificate to practice too, $96 for a yr or lesser amounts for monthly time periods. I was unable to find out much about DN's here but since arriving I have secured a PN job, and its easier for me with the kids, and my sense of direction was bad enough in York so now I only have to find my way to 1 place :laugh . I have asked 1 of the girls about DN's tho, apparently they work from the hospital, I dont know who employs them but Ive heard of DN's & midwives settin up teams alone, sort of workin for yourself I guess.I also looked into Hospice work as I used to do that too, again In Hamilton they work in the community which is diff to the in-patient unit I worked in. I will see how I get on with the PN job and take it from there.

Hope thats been of some help, any more Q's just shout

Amanda :)

[Mrs TW]

Thanks Amanda.
As I thought really. Unfortunately, when I saw the paperwork involved, I admit I did try to pretend if I ignored it someone else would do it. Rapidly realised it's down to me and have consequently lost time from receiving our ITA. The weeks seem to be flying by and I have done very little. I have already applied for the police checks - about the only thing we might be on target for. However, I have now realised I might need 2 - one for ITA and one for NZ nursing council. AGHH.

I just hope I can get a job at the end of it. I definately don't want to do hospital nursing so it is a little limited.

I would love to hear how it pans out for you and if you have any more hints tips or encouragement all would be gratefully received!!!

Nicki

[leachio]

Nicki give the police force u applied to for ur police check a ring NOW!! The NZ council will NOT accept a photocopy and u sound like me in that ur time scale was gettin tight, I rang the force I applied to and asked for a 2nd copy to be sent, it cost me an extra £10 but they came within a few days of eachother.

[Mrs TW]

I will do that today. Thanks again,
Nicki

[leachio]

No worries hun, if there is anythin I can do at this end for ya just ask!

Amanda :)