Nursing Council of New Zealand

As the statutory authority, the Nursing Council of New Zealand governs the practice of nurses. The Council sets and monitors standards in the interests of the public and the profession.  The Council's primary concern is public safety.

On 18 September 2004, the legislation governing the Council changed from the Nurses Act 1977 to the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

• Nurse practitioner prescribing
  Requirements for education and continuing competence for nurse prescribers were gazetted 10 November 2005 and came into force on 8 December 2005. Click here to read more about nurse practitioner prescribing.

• Applicants from Western Australia may now apply for registration under TTMR legislation
  

  Applicants from Western Australia may now apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand for registration under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (TTMR Act). Previously, only applicants from other states and territories of Australia could apply for registration under TTMR legislation.
  
  

• Framework for professional standards
  The Nursing Council has recently reviewed its role in setting standards.  One of the functions of the Council under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act is to set standards of clinical competence, cultural competence and ethical conduct for the profession.  The Nursing Council will set standards related to scope of practice, continuing competence and conduct as a professional.  A number of existing Council documents have been incorporated into this framework.  The Council will also develop guidelines and position statements.
  
  As part of this review, the Council has decided that at this time its role is not to endorse or set specialty standards.  The Council remains supportive of professional organisations and groups within the profession developing standards that will protect the public and improve standards of care.  The Council has ceased using Criteria for endorsement of practice standards (2002).
  
  Please click here to download the Framework for professional standards (March 2007) (PDF 87 KB). 
  
  The Council welcomes any feedback you may have on this position statement.

• Consultation document: Competencies for the nurse practitioner scope of practice
  The Council is reviewing the competencies for the nurse practitioner scope of practice to ensure that the competencies accurately reflect the role and that the nurses in this role are well qualified to be responsive to the changing health needs of the New Zealand population. A consultation document was widely circulated, and submissions are currently being considered.

• Definition of practising for the purposes of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003

  Introduction
  The Council is required to define practising, for the purposes of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (“the Act”), because it must:

  • determine whether a nurse has maintained the required standard of continuing competence pursuant to section 27(a) of the Act
  • determine whether or not a nurse has lawfully practised nursing in the 3 years preceding the date of application for a practising certificate (section 27(f) of the Act)
  • decide whether or not a nurse has practised without a practising certificate (sections 8(1) and 100(1)(d) of the Act).

  In the 20 months since the Act came into force, the sector has provided the Council with valuable feedback on the current definition of practising. The Council has carefully considered this feedback and has re-worded the definition to ensure that it fulfils its purpose of protecting the health and safety of members of the public by ensuring that nurses are competent and fit to practise.

  New definition
  Nursing practice is using nursing knowledge in a direct relationship with clients or working in nursing management, nursing administration, nursing education, nursing research, nursing professional advice or nursing policy development roles, which impact on public safety.

  Explanatory note

  • This means that if a person has the responsibilities of a nurse as defined by the Nursing Council scopes of practice and is using his or her nursing knowledge in a direct relationship with clients he or she should hold a practising certificate.
  • If a nurse is employed in one of the other roles set out in the definition he or she may not require a practising certificate unless his or her role impacts on public safety.

  Purpose of the definition
  The purpose of this definition is to ensure that nurses who are in a direct nursing relationship with clients or whose role impacts on public safety are required to comply with the mechanisms put in place by the Act to ensure that nurses have maintained the required standard of competence to protect public safety, such as ongoing professional development and completing hours of practice.

  It is not intended to include nurses who no longer have nursing responsibilities but who choose to continue working in the health care sector. The definition may include some practitioners who are working as nurses but whose employers have not previously required them to hold practising certificates.

  Eligibility
  There may be some nurses on the register who did not fit within the previous definition of practising who may wish to make new applications for practising certificates. Applications for practising certificates are always considered on an individual basis. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility or whether you require a practising certificate in your current role, please contact the registration section of the Nursing Council.

• Nursing entry to practice programmes
  Click here to read information for district health boards intending to apply for Council approval for nurse entry to practice programmes.

• Professional development and recognition programmes
  Click here for a list of professional development and recognition programmes.

• English language requirements
  The Nursing Council of New Zealand will usually require overseas applicants to demonstrate their ability to communicate in and comprehend English. Applicants will be notified whether they must provide evidence of their ability to communicate in and comprehend English after their applications have been assessed.

  The Council will accept any of the following as evidence:

  a) an academic IELTS assessment with a minimum score of 7.0 for each band: reading, listening, writing and speaking, OR

  b) the Occupational English Test (OET) with a B band in each section.

  The Council had formerly accepted a pass in the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), but this is no longer accepted.

• Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003
  For a general overview please click here .

For further news, please go to our news and issues page.

The Nursing Council of New Zealand would be pleased to receive feedback on your use of this website, and ideas on information which would assist you to complete your inquiry.

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Site last updated 6 August 2008

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