Once you become a NZRN you could apply for Residency straight away (Nurses will usually meet the points threshold unless you live in Auckland) and it will normally take 3-6 months to get approved. For PR, you also need to meet job criteria. You are required to get a job as a Registered Nurse with 32 hours or more work per week and contract for 12 months or more which is not difficult at this stage. You will have visa conditions for the first two years on the residence visa, once you meet conditions you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa when you finish 2 years on residence visa. If you want to become a NZ citizen, the time frame is 5 years from the issue date of your residence visa. Say for example, you could become New Zealand Citizen within 6 years after coming to New Zealand.