The high commission is warning Indian nurses to make sure they can land a job in New Zealand before chasing their dream of settling in the country.
India’s mission in Wellington issued the advisory on September 9, 2024, after it found out Indian nurses are struggling in the job market despite the necessary qualifications.
“Indian nurses are facing difficulties in securing jobs in New Zealand, even though they may have successfully completed the Competency Assessment Programme (CAP), and registration with Nursing Council of New Zealand,” the high commission said in the advisory.
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https://www.indianweekender.co.nz/news/kiwi-indian-nurses-struggling-to-sustain-amid-hiring-freeze
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A lack of jobs for nurses despite an ongoing staff shortage at hospitals has turned out to be quite a paradox lately. The National-led government’s fiscal austerity has meant a hiring freeze at hospitals, even though officials insist the frugality shouldn’t impact front-line roles. But that may only partly account for qualified overseas nurses ending up jobless.
Nurses trained in India have arrived onshore in droves ever since the New Zealand government began to seek out trained medical professionals following the crippling health shortages during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the recent cutbacks in health spending, the government hasn’t toned down its pitch for overseas nurses, say immigration advisors.
“The government forgot to send the message out that they are not hiring nurses like they were earlier. That means overseas nurses still see New Zealand as a good destination,” says a Kiwi-Indian immigration adviser based out of Auckland.
“They leave their jobs and spend money to become a registered nurse here, only to find out there are no jobs waiting for them.”
The Indian high commission has pointed to that tribulation in its latest call for more prudence, advising Indian nurses to not travel to New Zealand unless they have a “genuine job offer”.
“The high commission would also advise against paying to agents who promise ‘guaranteed’ jobs…Indian nurses and their spouses are requested not to leave their current jobs until the job process with the prospective employer in New Zealand is formalised.”