[nickydwuk]

I am in the process of apply for my APC. As I have not worked in NZ all my work has been in the UK I have to give evidence of my practice hours. How did others get this? Is a statement from the HR dept of the trust ok or do you have to get a statement from the ward manager/matron? I have worked for 2 trusts so would have some problem in getting this from the ward managers. Also how did you show that you had completed 60 hours of professional developement? When they ask for the working hours to be broken down year by year when is each year deemed to have started? :confused:

I have asked these questions of the NZNC but have not yet had a response:(

[benandclare]

Hi Clare will be able to answer more fully tonight but not surprised you've not heard from NZNC as they were shut from Dec20 to Jan 3rd :roll

[benandclare]

Hi There

For your experience your matron should be able to provide an authorised statement of your work experience - better still if you write it then she/he can cross check it and then sign it off for you. As a previous matron thats the course i would recommend, make sure that you do this year by year and put your whole time equivilent

e.g. 2005 - Ward 24 Orthopaedics Staff Nurse 0.8wte (30hrs per week)

Do the same with any study leave or courses that you have attended.

. that should suffice for your APC requirements. (thats what I did!).

If you need any more help will be pleased to advise :yes

TTFN Clare

[IanW99]

...
Also how did you show that you had completed 60 hours of professional developement?...
(

We sent in photocopies of the certificates that were awarded.

Ian

[snailandthewhale]

and remember, Nicky, if your APC expires before you start work in NZ, you'll have to do it all again! Depending on your birthday, APC is only valid for 3, 6, 9 or ( if you're lucky ) 12 months.......

[nickydwuk]

As my birthday is end of August my APC is due for renewal end of September. I will be starting work in NZ in Sept so does this mean I will have to make sure I get these copies again?

[britzy]

Hi Nicky .
I think this is what you need

Cycle for practising certificate renewal

The following table shows how the Council will process practising certificates.

Quarter - in which you were born
Renewal date for your annual practising certificate
When your practising certificate application will be sent to you

1 April to 30 June 1 July Late March
1 July to 30 September 1 October Late June
1 October to 31 December 1 January Late September
1 January to 31 March 1 April Mid December


Nurses with overseas addresses

Renewal application forms (with overseas addresses) are not automatically posted overseas to nurses. If you live overseas and want to renew your practising certificate, please contact the Council to confirm your address and your application form will then be posted to you.

Helen

[britzy]

Hi again, also found this answer to your earlier question www.nursingcouncil.org.nz

.Evidence of your practice hours, (a minimum of 450 hours in the last three years), verified by your employer.

The evidence could be a letter from your employer, or a certificate of service or a pay slip that must show the actual hours you have worked in the past year.

Evidence of practice hours is to be signed by your employer and the name, designation, address and telephone number of the person providing the verification included.

2. Evidence of professional development hours, (a minimum of 60 hours in the last three years) verified by your employer or nurse educator.

This must include a summary of the actual hours, signed by your employer or educator to confirm your participation.

This person is to include his or her name, designation, address and phone number.

It must include an explanation of what you have learnt from these activities.
Helen

[snailandthewhale]

You should be OK Nicky, you shouldn't have to get the copies again because as long as you have started working as a nurse in NZ, they will renew your cert.
I had a bit of worry as when I started working here, I only had 4 weeks or so to go on my APC and on the form for renewal I had to confirm that I'd practised 100s of hours and studied x number of hours in NZ, I'd done all the required hours in the UK but obviously not in NZ.
When I eventually got through to the NZNC, they said I was exempt from the requirements as my NZ nursing reg had only been issued in the last year. It didn't say that anywhere on the form!
So, starting work in Sept, I reckon you'll be fine.

[nickydwuk]

Thanks. I am now off to write to the matron at my previous trust to confirm my hours and copy my PPD certificates. The only problem I have now is that I am a community nurse, we don't have matrons and my DN doesn't know of my plans to emigrate yet - I wasn't going to tell her until nearer the time. Do Ihave to get her to verify my hours or can HR do it for me?

[Mrs TW]

Hi Nicky,

My present work doesn't know about our plans to emigrate yet either but I found HR very helpful. They weren't keen initially but when I explained I didn't want my boss to know yet, especially with the present climate I am working in, they readily agreed to provide the information. Give it a try!

Nicki

[SNK05]

Hi all.....

Sorry to jump on the band wagon....for future reference! I've just heard that only one of my references has been received for my registration application....each referee has already sent them twice so fingers crossed, third time lucky! Hopefully, it'll be processed soon and I'll be progressing onto the Annual Practising Certificate stage?

Evidence of professional development hours, (a minimum of 60 hours in the last three years) verified by your employer or nurse educator.

Would this include mandatory training? Manual Handling and Resus, especially, are changing all the time so you're developing skills and knowledge each time you attend updates! And if so, presumably each annual update would be counted as hours?

Thanx

Sue

[nickydwuk]

I'm hoping it does include mandatory training - this is after all professional development.

As regards the 'lost' references - I had to get my transcript sent 3 times - thankfully the administrator was a friend and never charged me at all. Once they had received it I got my registration through within 2-3 weeks. I believe it is quite common for them to 'lose' documents.

[SNK05]

Thanx Nickydwuk

I'd also heard that things get 'mislaid' in the offices!? Admittedly, we're in no major hurry and in all fairness, I could've chased things sooner but hey, hopefully those remaining references are on their way as I type. Fingers crossed it'll not take too long. If successful, I'll be sure to include all the mandatory stuff too.

Good luck with everything, you sound like you're well organised. We've been in go slow, explore things mode for the last 6-8 months, not really very prepared. I have this horrible feeling it's going to hit us all of a sudden and panic mode will set in!

Anyway, thanx again

Sue

[nickydwuk]

We have been in research mode for almost 12 months. Now I have a job & my registration it seems to be happening quickly. I think it is just that we can start to do more things now so time seems to fly by. When do you hope to be in NZ and where abouts do you hope to be?

[SNK05]

We'd originally opted for the North Island but no firm preferences, it's going to be very dependent on the availability of jobs in the field of Learning Disability. I'm currently registered with Geneva Health who have basically suggested that the main areas they have contacts in are Welli, ChC, Bay of Plenty and Auk. I've sent my CV to a couple of other places who seemed interested but had no current vacancies.

As I said, we're in no major hurry, as such. At the moment, I'm working for the NHS but the Government has set out recommendations that should be in effect by 2010 at the latest. Our establishment is set for closure by March 2009. Part of me wants to stay to the bitter end and see the process through for the clients sake, and I do feel like I'm kinda jumping ship but at the end of the day, I can't put my life on hold forever! As and when the time comes we're.....:exit

[IanW99]

...
I'm currently registered with Geneva Health who have basically suggested that the main areas they have contacts in are Welli, ChC, Bay of Plenty and Auk. I've sent my CV to a couple of other places who seemed interested but had no current vacancies.
...


A word of caution about using agencies such as Geneva Health, they won't neccessarily know, or tell you of all the possible job options that you may be interested in. They certainly imply that the jobs that they get you are the only options available in the location that you choose, and this is simply not true.

I'm not saying not to use agencies, just that if they don't offer any suitable opportunities for the location that you want to move to, then you need to investigate other sources of jobs such as the DHBs websites, or other agencies.

Ian

[SNK05]

Thanx Ian

I'd heard some horror stories about agencies in general and was initially reluctant to register with any, but they've been helpful and quite reassuring at times. I would agree, best not to solely rely on them tho.

I've invested a little time exploring the DHB's. I think when I hear about my registration, I'll probably be more proactive in sending out CV's and explore the possibilities more.

[The Brindleys]

Hello nickydwuk,

I just got a letter signed by my line manager confirming hours for the past three years - pretty straightforward as I work f/time. Just sent one letter with application and for annual practicing cert, I just ticked the box re pers development. I guess it's a little like us here in the UK, there are only a handful that are checked and then you would produce your portfolio as proof. I had no probs getting mine and nothing was checked.

I haven't visited the forum recently but the process to emigrate seems quite straight-forward so far. ChCh hospital very flexible with job start date. We are just waiting for medical reports to arrive and then can post ITA. Looking forward to ?meeting at the hospital when you start in Sept.

POLICE CERTS REQUESTED 24/11/07
EOI SUBMITTED 24/11/07
EOI SELECTED 5/12/07
HOUSE ON MARKET 10/12/07
ITA SENT 28/12/07
POLICE CERTS REC'D 7/1/08
MEDICALS 10/1/08 - £650 FOR THE 2 OF US (incl Xrays) await reports
OH passport, sent off for renewal, 15/01/08 as less than 12 months on

[nickydwuk]

We have had a change of plan and I won't be starting work until 6th October. Do I apply for my APC now & then renew before I start or apply nearer the time? If I send it off now I will not have to get a letter of good character from the NMC (they will probably charge for this) but if I apply later I will. Also if I get it now and then renew will I still have to get this statement because I haven't practised in NZ? The NZNC have STILL not got back to me and I emailed them on 7th January.

[benandclare]

Hi Ya :)

The annual registration fee comes in the quarter following your birthday regardless on when your first certificate was dated. ie mines on 1st Jan as i am a Dec baby !!! However i dont think it is a very efficient system here as they forgot to send my renewal papers even tho i informed them i was working in NZ and our new address, and even tho my practising cert has technically expired (ie i do not have one to show) but because i sent back the forms and paid in Dec (cq not cashed yet!!) I am still registered - sent me in to a bit of a panic and had to phone them after the Christmas hols before i went back to work after New Year as i wasn't sure what my status was!!! especially as they take your name off the online registration !!!

On the plus side your employer pays your fee - you can claim it back once you are in reciept of your new practising cert.

Hope that helps !! :roll
Clare