Registered Nurse Competence Training Scheme (for overseas registered nurses)

Academic entry criteria

Language requirements: IELTS 7.0 Academic in all bands, or Occupational English Test (OET) B pass in all areas (see details under English Language Entry Criteria)
Documentation (specifically the “Decision Letter”) from the Nursing Council of New Zealand stipulating the requirement to complete a competency based integrated theory practice programme.
Nursing Council of New Zealand requires a Police Clearance to be submitted prior to graduating from the programme.
Verification that the applicant has successfully completed a Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Nursing.
A current curriculum Vitae including details of education, qualifications, registration and career summary.
Disclosure if you have had a previous CAP enrolment.
Immunological and serology requirements

You are required to have immunity and serology testing as part of the application process for acceptance into the programme.

You must supply the following evidence of serology and vaccination results:

A blood test that gives results for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Surface Antibody within the last five years. You need this even if you have been immunised against Hepatitis B.
Evidence of having received two vaccinations of MMR. If you are unable to supply evidence of two vaccinations of MMR your will need to provide evidence of your immunity to morbilli (measles) rubella and mumps.
You must provide evidence of having had a Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination within the last five years. If you cannot provide the evidence you will need a vaccination against Pertussis.
You must provide evidence of having had immunity or a vaccination to Varicella (chicken pox). If you do not have evidence of having had Varicella. If you are reasonably certain you had Varicella as a child we recommend you having the blood test first prior to having the vaccine.
You must provide a Mantoux or Quantiferon Gold Blood Test. If the Quantiferon Blood test or the Mantoux test is positive then a chest x-ray and further laboratory tests will be required, (at your own cost). These may include Hepatitis B, C and HIV.
Evidence of your COVID-19 vaccinations. It is not compulsory to have a COVID-19 vaccination but please be aware that students who are not fully vaccinated (2 doses + 2 weeks) for COVID-19 will not have access to Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay or Te Whatu Ora Hauora Tairāwhiti clinical placements/settings. This means that if you choose not to be vaccinated, this will have an impact on your ability to be accepted on placement in a healthcare organisation, and this will in turn have an impact on your ability to successfully complete the Registered Nurse Competence Training Scheme programme. Accordingly, all students applying to enrol on the Registered Nurse Competence Training Scheme are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.