Nehi me Nga Kaitiaki Ngaio Industry Overview Nurses promote health, prevent illness, and care for sick people. They work in the community, in hospitals, and in teaching and administrative roles, both independently and as part of a team. Nurses work in management departments of hospitals and health centres and teach, counsel, research, develop new policy, and work in all areas of health care.
Some nurses travel to famine, earthquake and war-stricken areas as relief workers.
New Zealand nurses are respected around the world and can find employment in most countries. Registered nurses are trained through three-year polytechnic courses which lead to registration as a comprehensive registered nurse. After the basic qualification, there are post registration and postgraduate education for nurses who want to continue their ongoing professional development. Registered nurses can specialise in many areas such as paediatrics, neonatal, mental health and geriatric care. Maori and 425 are of Pacific Island nationality.