HealthInfo Canterbury
Nurses
Nursing roles and responsibilities are always changing to make sure that people get high-quality care and better health. The kind of job a nurse does depends on their level of training, qualifications and expertise.
Qualifications
Anyone working as a nurse in New Zealand must:
- be trained as a registered nurse or an enrolled nurse by trainers accredited by the Nursing Council of New Zealand
- meet Nursing Council of New Zealand standards
- hold a valid annual practising certificate.
To renew their certificate every year, a nurse must prove:
- they've taken part in ongoing education and development each year
- they can do their job well
- they've worked enough hours as a nurse.
Types of nurse
Registered nurse
Most nurses in New Zealand are registered nurses (RNs). They work independently as well as with other medical professionals. They:
- assess health needs
- provide care
- advise and support patients
- supervise other healthcare workers, including student nurses and enrolled nurses (ENs)
- work in many healthcare settings, such as hospitals, primary health organisations (PHOs) including general practices, rest homes, prisons and schools
- often specialise in one area.
Practice nurse
Practice nurses are registered nurses who work in your general practice or health centre. They work in your community to plan nursing care, deliver treatment and provide you and your whānau (family) with health education.
Clinical nurse specialist
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are expert nurses with special skills and knowledge in one clinical area. They usually have many years of experience and are often the main person you'll talk to. They provide:
- clinical leadership and education to other nurses
- practical, educational and emotional support to patients and their whānau.
Clinical nurse specialists can prescribe some medications for conditions in their clinical area.
Nurse practitioner
Nurse practitioners are highly skilled registered nurses with advanced education and clinical training. Nurse practitioners work both in hospitals and the community. You may see a nurse practitioner instead of a GP. A nurse practitioner can refer you to a specialist and consult with a GP if necessary.
Nurse practitioners can prescribe some medications.
This video by the Ministry of Health’s acting Chief Nursing Officer Dr Jill Clendon tells you more about what a nurse practitioner does.
District nurse
District nurses (DNs) are registered nurses who work in the community. They:
- visit people who can’t leave their house
- provide follow-up care for people recently discharged from hospital
- give practical and educational advice
- provide wound management, catheter and continence care as well as medication support
- help take care of people so they don’t have to go to hospital or stay there too long
- specialise in different areas such as palliative care.
Plunket nurse
Plunket nurses are registered nurses with extra professional qualifications who work in your community. They work with whānau with children from birth up to the age of five to promote health and prevent illnesses.
Public health nurse
Public health nurses are based in the community. They have a broad range of roles supporting children, young people and their whānau. They visit schools and homes, providing support, education and connection to the health system. They're also involved in community vaccination programmes.
School nurse
School nurses provide on-site and free healthcare to students in secondary schools. They're experienced in all areas of youth health including emotional wellbeing, physical and sexual health.
Enrolled nurse
Enrolled nurses (ENs) work in your community, homes and hospitals. They're supervised by a registered nurse or nurse practitioner. They:
- provide care
- give health education to the public
- help with nursing assessments, planning, implementing and evaluating care.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Access Community Health
Access has nurses and support workers who visit people in their own homes to provide nursing, personal care, rehabilitation and household assistance.
- Healthcare New Zealand
Healthcare New Zealand offers services in the areas of specialist nursing, injury-related support, long-term condition management, mental health and addiction support and specialist disability services.
- Nurse Maude
Nurse Maude provides nursing, home care, and support so people can stay in their own homes and communities.
- Plunket
Plunket provides support services for the development, health and wellbeing of children under five.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed June 2021.
SourcesReview key: HISNY-105442
