Questions asked by New Zealand registered nurses

Questions asked by New Zealand registered nurses 

Q: I need to change my address and contact details. How do I do this?

A: The best way to advise the Council of a change of address is by email to:  nzreg@nursingcouncil.org.nz  If you have changed your name, you will need to provide Council with a certified copy of your name change document.

Q: Can I practise under my maiden name?  

A: Yes, you can still stay registered under your maiden name

Q: I have lost my registration certificate. How do I get it reissued?  

A: Contact us at nzreg@nursingcouncil.org.nz with your details and we will send you a form that you will have to get signed by a Justice of the Peace and post back to us.  Click here for schedule of fees.

Q: I have lost my plastic APC. How do I get a replacement?  

A: Contact us at nzreg@nursingcouncil.org.nz and we will send you a replacement practising certificate form.  Click here for schedule of fees.

Q: I have lost my medal. How do I get a replacement?  

A: Contact us at nzreg@nursingcouncil.org.nz and we will send you a replacement medal form.  There is a fee which is outlined on the replacement form.

Q: I am an internationally qualified nurses registered in New Zealand.  Can I get a New Zealand medal?

A: Internationally qualified nurses who have gained registration in New Zealand can contact us at nzreg@nursingcouncil.org.nz to request a medal.  Click here for schedule of fees.

Q: I am qualified and registered as a nurse in New Zealand and want to work overseas. What do I have to do to make sure I can practise as a nurse overseas?  

A: You need to contact the nursing authority in the country where you wish to practise to find out what they require.

Q: My employer wants me to carry out activities and tasks that I am not sure if I should be doing?

A: No nurse should undertake any activity or task that they do not feel that they have been educated and prepared for.  The Nursing Council has published a decision making framework to assist nurses with such decisions. Click here.

Q: What is required for ongoing competence?   

A: To maintain competence to practise nurses are required to be practising a minimum of 450 hours every three years and to demonstrate that they are continuing to learn by undertaking a minimum of 60 hours of professional development every three years. These hours need to be documented and verifiable. Nurses also need to meet the Nursing Council competencies for their scope of practice.  You can read more about the competencies for each scope of practice, click here.

Q: What counts as professional development?

A: A wide range of activities count as professional development from courses that update nursing knowledge through to Journal Clubs where a group of nurses meet to analyse recent research and its relevance to their practice. You can find more information, click here.

Q: What is a competence assessment?

A: If you apply for an APC and you haven’t worked 450 hours in the past three years, you will be required to have a competence assessment completed of your practice by another registered nurse who holds a current practising certificate to show that you are safe and competent to practise. You can find out more about this, click here.

Q: I have been told that I have to complete a recertification audit, what does this mean?

A: Every year, every nurse makes a declaration that they have met the continuing competence requirements when they apply for an APC. The Council randomly selects 5% of individual nurses for audit who are the required to provide evidence that they are meeting the continuing competence requirements.  You can find out more, click here.

Q: I am a nurse but I am not sure if I need a Practising Certificate or not?

A: To answer this question, we refer you to the definition of nursing practice: 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. If what you are doing matches that definition, you need a practising certificate. For further information click here.