I arrived in New Zealand May 2012. I had been working with Accent Health Recruitment since the fall, and finally had all the paper work done and a job offer! Accent Health Recruitment has been a great help, dealing as the go-between person, helping me figure out the paperwork, and sending chocolate with the post!!
I started at Starship Children's Hospital, a part of the Auckland District Health Board. I was given 3 weeks of orientation with another Canadian girl, so it was great to have similar education backgrounds. Now I am "on my own", but the staff here are great, very friendly and helpful, so I'm catching on quite quickly. There are quite a few similarities to Canadian health care systems, but there are also a lot of differences. Either way, great to see and to learn something more.
I moved into a house with other Working Visa people from all over the world. It has been great, as they are available and willing to adventure with me, and be a good resource. There are also other nurses from other countries here who are also excited to see and do things in and around Auckland!
With the 12 hours shifts, I am able to have more time off, so I've already done a bit, but have lots of ideas of places to go and things to do on my days off!!
This is a much nicer winter then the Canadian ones back home, and so far it is a great experience to be in a new city in the Southern Hemisphere!! |