ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the situation for nurses immigrating to New Zealand whose registration is accepted, but whose competence must still be evaluated through a course that includes both instruction and clinical assessment. Other countries face similar challenges, and the New Zealand experience may provide information to both nurses and registration bodies. While the world continues to struggle with the challenge of nurse migration, New Zealand is in the paradoxical position of being both an exporter and an importer of nurses. Specific courses have been offered at many institutions since 1997. A key reason for migration for many nurses is the goal of improving their and their family’s economic status. National registration bodies need to be encouraged to set fair assessments, aided by national nursing organizations whose members actually work with the immigrant nurses and must therefore understand the contribution of and the challenges for new colleagues.
