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Nurses Working Hours in New Zealand

People are drawn to live and work in New Zealand because it offers a variety of recreational, cultural and leisure experiences. For those seeking such a lifestyle, New Zealand offers opportunities for registered nurses to work in a range of areas in a variety of environments. Experienced nurses are in demand in the areas of mental health, aged care, palliative care, paediatrics, corrections (prisons), and surgery.

Most people in New Zealand work a standard eight hour day but of course medical care is needed 24/7 and nursing hours account for that.
Nurse with clock

Working hours will depend on the role you undertake but overall the length of nursing shifts and the numbers of hours worked during a week are overseen by professional bodies. Each year nurses have to declare how many hours they have worked to the Nursing Council of New Zealand in order to maintain their Annual Practicing Certificate.

The default nursing shift is eight hours. Those working in the community, at medical centres, or in corrections, usually work 40 hours a week and find more this more accommodating. Twelve hour nursing shifts are not uncommon in some clinical areas and specialties, such as aged care, but this is often an individual choice. Emergency situations may require extended nursing hours but most health sectors understand the importance of helping staff maintain a good work/life balance for sustainability. The majority of nurses in hospitals work rotating nursing shifts so that everyone does their fair share of nights, weekends and public holidays.

Working hours for all nursing levels vary depending on the role. Nurse practitioners, those who have completed advanced education and training in a specific area, are a key component to the health workforce in New Zealand. Some clinics offer permanent part-time working hours for nurse practitioners and there may be potential to negotiate hours and days of work.

Overseas trained staff already undertaking work in New Zealand report a lower patient staff ratio which can make longer shifts easier to manage. They also enjoy a statutory minimum of four weeks paid annual leave per year, plus public holidays which amount to 11 days a year for employment purposes.

HealthStaff Recruitment can provide advice on how to obtain a nursing job in Zew Zealand so search our job vacancies today to see if there’s a position right for you.