COVID-19
2 April 2020
Current IPCs expire on 31 March 2021
Current Interim Practising Certificates (IPC) expire on 31 March
2021. Thank you for stepping forward last year and making the move to
assist with the Covid-19 response.
If you are still practising using your current IPC and intend to
continue to practise for the COVID-19 pandemic, we can move this to an
annual practising certificate (APC) with the same COVID-19 condition.
The normal fees will apply but if you are in employment this is
generally reimbursed by your employer. Please contact us on 04 385 9589
or [email protected] for details of how to apply.
If you have practised outside the COVID-19 pandemic response within
the last five years you may wish to apply for an APC without the
COVID-19 condition. Please contact us on 04 385 9589 or [email protected] and we will assess your eligibility.
Please note that the Ministry of Health is managing the vaccination
programme for COVID-19. They have indicated they are seeking interest
from nurses who have practised within the last 5 years. If you are
interested, please register here: COVID-19 Surge Workforce database.
Ngā mihi nui
Catherine Byrne
Chief Executive/Registrar
Nursing Council of New Zealand
COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunisation Programme
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement earlier this week about the
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, the Ministry of Health is encouraging all
registered nurses with an APC to complete a Provisional Vaccinator Foundation Course.
If you are interested in being a part of a vaccinator workforce, we encourage you to register your interest via the COVID-19 Surge Workforce database.
If you do not hold a current APC but would like to register your
interest with the Ministry of Health about being on their surge
workforce database you can also apply on the link above. Read more
Current office working arrangements
The Council continues to make operational changes during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that we remain connected and regulate nurses effectively. We remain open to answer calls and e-mails however our office will be closed to visitors for the time being.
If you would like to contact us, please phone us on 04 385 9589, or email
[email protected].
If you would like to visit us over an urgent matter please phone 04 385 9589 and we will schedule an appointment with you.
Interim Practising Certificates (IPC) extended to 31 March 2021
We’d like to thank all nurses who returned to assist during the
COVID-19 pandemic and were issued an IPC that was due to expire on 31
December 2020.
Your IPC has now been extended until 31 March 2021 so any who wish to continue to assist in the response to COVID-19 can do so.
Read more
Update April 2020
The critical importance of nurses has been brought sharply into focus by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Interim Practising Certificate for the COVID-19 Pandemic
The condition for an Interim Practising Certificate for the COVID-19 pandemic is as follows:
• Restricted practice for duration of COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more
Message to Prescribers from PHARMAC
Tēnā koutou katoa,
These are difficult times and we are working and communicating with community organisations and all health professionals, to ensure whānau are able to access the medicines they need and to ensure there is a continuity of supply of medicines.
Read more
Nursing Council Advice to Nurses Responding to COVID-19
The Council recognises that nurses will most likely face challenging circumstances as health services respond to COVID–19. Read more
Returning to Nursing during COVID-19 Pandemic
Tenā koutou katoa,
The COVID-19 pandemic situation in New Zealand continues to evolve. The Ministry of Health is seeking assistance from nurses who have a lapsed APC and may like to return to nursing for a limited time to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Nursing Council Office Closure
The Nursing Council Office will temporarily close from Wednesday 25 March 2020. This aligns with the escalation of the COVID Pandemic alert to level 4. We can be contacted using these contact details. Read more