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Army

Nursing Officer

Few nursing careers offer this level of variety. Learn to be a leader and gain outdoor, adventure and soldiering skills.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Healthcare | Officers & Management

  • Entry type

    General entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Various

As a Nursing Officer, you will work in a variety of practice areas both at home and away. These areas include primary health care, perioperative, high dependency, surgical and emergency nursing. Flexibility of practice is a key component of nursing in the Defence Force due to the types of military operations you may be required to support.

The Army provide the tools to enable Nursing Officers to achieve this flexibility through training, education, supervision and mentoring.

If you have referred to the minimum entry requirements below, but would like more information on this role please email specialists@defencecareers.mil.nz

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
  • Registered Nurse holding a current Nursing Council of New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate.
  • Pass an Officer Selection Board.

Education

  • Registered Nurse holding a current Nursing Council of New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate
  •  Ideally, two years post registration experience in one of the following practice areas*
    • perioperative,
    • high dependency, 
    • surgical, or
    • emergency nursing.

*Alternatives can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

There may be a return of service period for this trade.

Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

  • Job on base

    Nursing Officers are located in all military camps and bases around New Zealand with the majority of medical personnel posted to the Manawatu region. Nursing Officers are expected to conduct a range of duties including clinical practice, military skills maintenance, leadership and administration.

     

    They will work in a variety of team based settings whether that is a multidisciplinary health team or alongside military personnel from other trades. As an Officer it is also expected that you can work independently without supervision in activities such as resource management, personnel administration, and planning training. 

  • Job on deployment

    Nursing Officers not only contribute to the operational readiness of service personnel by supporting exercises, but frequently deploy overseas themselves.

     

    As a Nursing Officer, you will have the opportunity to deploy wherever the NZ Defence Force goes, both on operational deployments and humanitarian aid or disaster relief missions. Few nursing careers offer this level of variety.

     

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Job Training

03Ongoing Training

04Career Progression

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

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Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
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The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
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Ready to start your Army career?

APPLY NOW

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