This notice is given pursuant to sections 11 and 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 and comes into effect on 5 October 2021.

On 5 October 2021 this notice replaces the Notice of Replacement by the Nursing Council of New Zealand of Scope of Practice and Prescribed Qualifications for Registered Nurses, published in the New Zealand Gazette, 18 August 2016, Issue No. 72, Notice No. 2016-gs4766.

Dated at Wellington this 28th day of September 2021.

CATHERINE BYRNE, Registrar, Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Explanatory Note

Introduction

Under sections 11(2) and 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, the Nursing Council of New Zealand is required to describe the scopes of practice for nursing in New Zealand and prescribe the qualifications for each scope of practice. In the previous Notice the post graduate qualification was recorded as being at level 8 on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Framework. This has been corrected to level 9 on the NZQA framework.

1. Notice of Replacement by the Nursing Council of New Zealand of Scope of Practice and Prescribed Qualifications for Registered Nurses 2021

2. Scope of Practice—Registered Nurses

Registered nurses utilise nursing knowledge and complex nursing judgment to assess health needs and provide care, and to advise and support people to manage their health. They practise independently and in collaboration with other health professionals, perform general nursing functions, and delegate to and direct enrolled nurses, health care assistants and others. They provide comprehensive assessments to develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated plan of health care, and provide interventions that require substantial scientific and professional knowledge, skills and clinical decision making. This occurs in a range of settings in partnership with individuals, families, whānau and communities. Registered nurses may practise in a variety of clinical contexts depending on their educational preparation and practice experience. Registered nurses may also use this expertise to manage, teach, evaluate and research nursing practice. Registered nurses are accountable for ensuring all health services they provide are consistent with their education and assessed competence, meet legislative requirements and are supported by appropriate standards. There will be conditions placed in the scope of practice of some registered nurses according to their qualifications or experience limiting them to a specific area of practice. Some nurses who have completed the required additional experience, education and training will be authorised by the Council to prescribe some medicines within their competence and area of practice.

The Nursing Council Competencies for Registered Nurses describe the skills and activities of registered nurses.

Prescribed Qualifications

New Zealand Graduates

1. A bachelor’s degree in nursing approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand; or
2. a graduate nursing qualification at Level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand; or
3. a postgraduate nursing qualification at Level 9 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand; and
4. a pass in an assessment of Nursing Council Competencies for Registered Nurses by an approved provider; and
5. a pass in an Examination for Registered Nurses set by the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Registered Nurses from Overseas

1. Current registration with an overseas regulatory authority; and
2. successful completion of a nursing programme that is, in the Nursing Council’s opinion, equivalent to or as satisfactory as a bachelor’s degree programme in nursing at Level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework; or
3. successful completion of a graduate pre-registration nursing programme that is, in the Nursing Council’s opinion, equivalent to or as satisfactory as an approved New Zealand graduate nursing programme at Level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that leads to registration in the registered nurse scope of practice; or
4. successful completion of a postgraduate pre-registration nursing programme that is, in the Nursing Council’s opinion, equivalent to or as satisfactory as an approved New Zealand postgraduate nursing programme at Level 9 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that leads to registration in the registered nurse scope of practice; and
5. two years’ post-registration practice as a registered nurse of at least 2,500 hours within the five years immediately preceding the date of the application; and
6. at the direction of the Nursing Council, successful completion of a Nursing Council approved competence assessment programme.