Competency Assessment Programmes are offered by Council-accredited providers, including schools of nursing, district health boards and other health service providers.

The main topics covered throughout the programme include:

• Communication for nursing practice in New Zealand

• Reflective practice for professional learning

• Skills for client management

• Pharmacology

• Biculturalism in New Zealand

• Culturally safe practice

• Leadership in nursing

• Ethics, legislation and regulations

TO BE ACCEPTED ONTO THE PROGRAMME, APPLICANTS MUST:

• have written notification [Documentation (specifically the “Decision Letter”)] from the Nursing Council of New Zealand of the requirement to complete a Nursing Competence Assessment Programme; and

• meet English language requirements laid down in the NCNZ’S registration policy for overseas nurses prior to entry to the Nursing Competence Assessment Programme:

a) the International Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 7.0 in reading, speaking and listening and 6.5 in writing; or

b) the Occupational English Test (OET) minimum score of 350 in reading, speaking and listening and 300 in writing; and

• Authorised evidence of registration in country of origin.

• Authorised evidence of successful completion of qualification leading to registration.

• A current Curriculum Vitae, including a history of nursing practice as a RN internationally.

• Two character references. These references need to be done by people who supervise your current employment or an employee. References from relatives are not acceptable.

• A current passport with visa.

• be able to demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively for the purpose of practicing in the New Zealand setting; and

• provide current evidence of a Police clearance from the country where the applicant holds current registration; and

• You may also need to provide evidence of appropriate insurance covering including travel, medical care and indemnity.

• Evidence of Health Screening requirements that ensure safety to practice, which may include

• evidence of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and any other vaccinations as per mandatory requirements from the Ministry of Health. Employment opportunities in healthcare will not be available for those unvaccinated.

• evidence of Immunological and Serology Requirements

You are required to have immunity and serology testing as part of the application process for acceptance into the programme.

You must supply the following evidence of serology and vaccination results:

• A blood test that gives results for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Surface Antibody within the last five years. You need this even if you have been immunised against Hepatitis B.

• Evidence of having received two vaccinations of MMR. If you are unable to supply evidence of two vaccinations of MMR your will need to provide evidence of your immunity to morbilli (measles) rubella and mumps.

• You must provide evidence of having had a Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination within the last five years. If you cannot provide the evidence you will need a vaccination against Pertussis.

• You must provide evidence of having had immunity or a vaccination to Varicella (chicken pox). If you do not have evidence of having had Varicella. If you are reasonably certain you had Varicella as a child we recommend you having the blood test first prior to having the vaccine.

• You must provide a Mantoux or Quantiferon Gold Blood Test. If the Quantiferon Blood test or the Mantoux test is positive then a chest x-ray and further laboratory tests will be required, (at your own cost). These may include Hepatitis B, C and HIV.

• Evidence of your COVID-19 vaccinations. It is not compulsory to have a COVID-19 vaccination but please be aware that students who are not fully vaccinated (2 doses + 2 weeks) for COVID-19 will not have access to Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay or Te Whatu Ora Hauora Tairāwhiti clinical placements/settings. This means that if you choose not to be vaccinated, this will have an impact on your ability to be accepted on placement in a healthcare organisation, and this will in turn have an impact on your ability to successfully complete the Registered Nurse Competence Training Scheme programme. Accordingly, all students applying to enrol on the Registered Nurse Competence Training Scheme are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.