NZ registration

I appear to have a different problem to most of you, I have been qualified for 12 years and have specialised in MSK for 9 of them. Therefore I have not done any neuro for that time and very little respiratory for the past 5 years. I also have lost my dissertation in a house move and have only taken a small part in a research project since qualification, how do I get around this for the compentencies. I am trying to get registered so I can help with the points on my husbands skill visa for Australia and it is looking very daunting at the moment. Any help would be gratefully received

Hi, I'm in a very similar position (qualified 1995; did my junior rotations then into MSk specialisations, locums and private practice) so cannot offer any help at the moment, apart from some empathy. There is another physio on this forum in what sounds like a similar situation. Would you like to keep in contact either through the forums or personal messages to share information?
Stu

Hi Ibby,
I'm in the same position as you, as far as specialization and little research, as well as the house move! I've been qualified for 11 years, and my last cardio/neuro was just over 10 years ago. I'm living in Australia, not licensed, so I can't work to get more recent experience. (how about you, can you do some part-time work in cardio/resp or neuro?) For cardio/resp and neuro, I'm going to take some professional development courses, but for research, I don't know what to do. I was thinking I could just *do* a little research project and write it up, but after starting a literature review, I now feel it wouldn't be worth it to do anything that wasn't randomized and controlled. But I'm not even registered here, and I'm living in a small regional town - no Universities near by. On top of it all, I have been on maternity leave and need to get my NZ reg before the end of the year, or else I'll have to go home to the USA and work again, in order to qualify at all, since you have to have worked within the past 3 years. Let me know if you get any advice, or think of any solutions - let's keep in touch. Maya

Hi Maya
Glad to hear there are others in a similar position, no problem with keeping in touch. Unfortunately dont have the time to do any neuro placements as working full time and also have a family. The last time I did a placement was just under 10 years ago, so hopefully this will still count but I need to get a move on. Do you know whether audit counts as research?
Ibby

Hey, Ibby, It's good that your neuro was under 10 years ago. You should be fine for that. It really sucks being on a time-line, though. Are you working Musculoskel? You can include any patients that have cardio/neuro problems in your competency. As for research, I think audits would count! Even any evidence of having read a research article (inservice? journal club?) and then making changes in your practice; They are very big on evidence-based practice and they seem to be keen on "reflective statements". Start keeping a clinical diary or something. Check out the FAQ on the NZ registration website. both informative and scary! I've started to fill out the forms they use for Professional Development in NZ, just to keep track of any "homework" I do. Fingers crossed! I have a feeling I'm going to have to go back home to work next year, just to buy some more time and to collect evidence - now that I know what they want! Right now, I'm feeling VERY frustrated!