[elleann]

Hi

I'm emigrating from South Africa and my NZ Nursing Council registration application is currently being processed. I have confirmed that they have all the documents that they initially requested. Having successfully resolved three of their queries already, I am cautiously hopeful that my registration will not take toooo much longer to be processed!! ;)

Three questions for any RNs here:

1. How long did your RN application take to be approved?

2. When looking for a job, did you wait to be NZ registered before applying for a position?

3. Would you recommend using a medical recruitment agency to find a job? There are lots of RN positions advertised all over the place, including directly on the DHB sites, and I'm wondering if there is any benefit to working through a recruitment agency instead of just applying directly. The recruiters earn their commission by placing a candidate with a facility, so its going to cost a hospital more to take on a candidate found via an agency... any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance!
Linda

[TrentBridge]

OH reg recently took about 3 months from start to finish. I have heard of them being done quicker and some a lot longer.

Not applying for jobs yet because we don't want to move until next Jul at the earliest.

We are using an agency called Tonix who are really good at letting you know what is required and make a good link between us and prospective employers. It doesn't cost us anything but I suppose they do get a fee from DHB. We just find it reassuring to have them, but I know that some have done it on their own without help from an agency. As far as I know there are no benefits in dealing directly with DHB, but I would like to hear from anyone who knows differently please :D

I know that there is another agency called Geneva which some forumites have used.

We certainly would not pay for the services of a recruitment agency.

Best of luck :yes

[elleann]

I'm already in contact with Geneva, and while they have so far been very encouraging, basically I have done all the work for my registration on my own. I have no official commitment to them or any other agency at this point, just some email contact and one phone chat back in June/July or thereabouts.

And I agree, any employment recruiter who charges the applicant fees is definitely suspect! I just wondered if facilities like DHBs etc prefer getting candidates via an agency (which will cost them more) or if they are happy with an applicant 'off the street', as it were, especially when the applicant isn't in the country.

I would really like this to go as fast as possible so that we can hopefully be in Wellington by late Jan so my teenage daughter can start school (Year 12) in February as a domestic student - ie I'll will need to have my work permit by then!

[IanW99]

...
Three questions for any RNs here:

1. How long did your RN application take to be approved?

2. When looking for a job, did you wait to be NZ registered before applying for a position?

3. Would you recommend using a medical recruitment agency to find a job? There are lots of RN positions advertised all over the place, including directly on the DHB sites, and I'm wondering if there is any benefit to working through a recruitment agency instead of just applying directly. The recruiters earn their commission by placing a candidate with a facility, so its going to cost a hospital more to take on a candidate found via an agency... any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance!
Linda

Answering on behalf of my OH :)

1. Can't remember but it was much longer than it should have been. They failed to receive one of the references so it had to be sent again. Definitely worth checking with them on the application to make sure that they have received everything.

2. Applied for positions before being registered.

3. Used agency, the main advantages are that they know the process and can hand hold you through your application. They can also chase things up for you in NZ (such as 1 above) and help with interviews etc. Main disadvantages are that they will try to get you to move on a WTR when you really should go with a PR, and that they don't have access to all jobs, so can only offer you those that they do have.

Ian

[elleann]

Thanks, Ian! I had heard before of docs going missing, so that was one of the first things I checked on - and they have acknowledged receipt of all the documents that were sent by ordinary post. I couriered my application over and the SANC also couriered their verifications and transcripts so at this point, they do have everything they requested.

Did your OH get any interest / offers from the pre-registration applications? And were those for specific positions (ie advertised by the facility) or was her application a more general one?

I'm going with the work permit first; once we are there, I'll start the PR application process.

[SNK05]

Hi Linda

As you can see from my signature, mine took forever! I had some problems with my references being sent but not received and in all fairness, it was my fault for just 'jollying' along thinking everything was going smoothly!! Once I realised that there was a problem, I emailed and called regularly for updates on the application and it was processed pretty quickly once they had all their info. You seem to be on top of things and up to speed with where your application is at so I wouldn't think you'll wait too long for it to be sorted. Good Luck!

As for jobs, I signed up with Geneva Health who have been very helpful. They keep in contact with me regularly and answer any queries I have. They are also very helpful when it comes to speeding things up, they're more than happy to contact prospective employers, arrange times for telephone interviews, hurry up the paparework etc. As Trentbridge said, you don't pay a fee, they get that from the DHB (District Health Board) once everything is complete. They are helping and advising me through all the stages of the process including sorting accomodation etc. making sure I have a smooth transition and settling in period! A weight off my mind....one less thing to organise when we get out there.

In my honest opinion, I would suggets you get the registration sorted before applyng for jobs as many advertisers say that you 'should be eligible to work in NZ'. Although many DHB's are crying out for staff and will be prepared to wait. I was successful in my application for a post in April of this year. My partner and I have encountered a few hiccups with the NZIS process which has delayed us but the prospective new employers have been absolutely wonderful, leaving the job open for me.

You don't have to go through an agency and sometimes you could get a slightly better relocation package if you didn't use one. Most DHB's, I believe, offer a package of some description. Along the lines of, your one way flight cost reimbursed and 1-2 weeks accomodation prior to starting. I have heard that it is possible to negotiate the cost of car hire for a week or so also, especially if they are not having to pay any agency fees!! Worth thinking about!

Good luck, HTH

Sue
xx

[IanW99]

Job was secured through the agency and then registration was sent off and everything else.

We also got a relocation package even though we went through an agency so don't be afraid to ask - of course we don't know if it was the same as if we had gone straight to a DHB or better / worse?

Ian