Description

Escape the Ordinary: Emergency & Critical Care Nursing in New Zealand's Leading Emergency & Specialty Hospital Group

Imagine finishing a shift and spending your next day at the beach. Imagine having weekends where you're exploring volcanic coastlines, hiking native bush tracks, sailing on the harbour, or heading away on a road trip.

For many veterinary nurses in the US and Canada, moving to New Zealand isn't just about a new job. It's about creating a life that feels a little bigger outside of work.

At ARC Vets, we're looking for experienced ER Veterinary Nurses who want both: the challenge and satisfaction of emergency medicine, and the opportunity to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

We're New Zealand's leading emergency and specialty hospital group, independent, family-owned, specialist-led, and home to two state-of-the-art 24/7 hospitals in Auckland, with a third hospital opening in Wellington in 2027.

We're currently seeking 4-5 experienced ER Veterinary Nurses to join our expanding teams at:

ARC Central, in the heart of Auckland City
ARC North, on Auckland's beautiful North Shore

If you're looking for advanced medicine, a supportive team, meaningful clinical responsibility, and an adventure outside of work, we'd love to hear from you.

 
Why Nurses Choose ARC
Emergency nursing is rewarding, challenging, fast-paced, and sometimes tough. We won't pretend otherwise. What makes the difference is the team around you. Moving hospitals is a big step. Moving countries is even bigger. That's why every ER nurse at ARC receives dedicated support from a leadership team built specifically around helping nurses succeed.

You'll work directly with our Emergency Medical Director, alongside two dedicated nursing leaders:

Clinical ER Nurse Lead
Focused on:

• Clinical mentorship and coaching
• Emergency and critical care skills development
• Training and professional growth
• Building confidence and capability

People ER Nurse Lead
Focused on:

• Wellbeing and support
• Regular one-on-one check-ins
• Rostering
• Day-to-day problem solving
• Helping nurses settle into both the team and life in New Zealand

Whether you're relocating from Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Seattle, Denver, Austin, Boston, or somewhere else entirely, you'll have experienced people invested in helping you succeed from day one. We believe emergency medicine is hard enough without having to navigate everything alone.

 
About the Role
This is a hands-on emergency nursing role in a busy referral and emergency hospital.

Our hospitals operate 24/7, with shifts rostered across days, nights, weekends and public holidays. Emergency medicine never truly slows down, and neither do we. But we also understand the importance of recovery, time away from work, and making the most of everything New Zealand has to offer.

Salary
Salary: NZD $60,000-$70,000 per year, depending on experience.

Plus:
20% overnight differential (8pm-6am)
20% weekend differential
Public holiday enhancements

What You'll Be Doing
You'll be an integral member of a collaborative ER team, involved in:

• Emergency triage and patient stabilisation
• IV catheter placement
• Blood collection and transfusion support
• Anaesthetic monitoring
• Diagnostic imaging support
• Medication administration
• Critical patient monitoring
• Post-operative nursing care
• Client communication and education

We trust our nurses to use their clinical judgement, think critically, and play a meaningful role in patient care.

This isn't a role where you're limited to basic nursing tasks. You'll be actively involved in emergency and critical care cases and supported to grow your skills along the way.

For nurses interested in advanced emergency and critical care nursing, opportunities include:

• High-flow oxygen therapy
• Mechanical ventilation
• Advanced critical care nursing
• Support toward VTS certification

We work hard, support one another, and are proud of the care we provide. ER can be demanding anywhere in the world, but you'll be joining a team committed to helping each other through the challenging shifts and celebrating the rewarding ones.

 
Why ARC?
ARC is home to more than 160 veterinary professionals, including specialists in:

Emergency & Critical Care
Internal Medicine
Surgery
Neurology
Radiology
Ophthalmology
Oncology
Dermatology
We're also proud to be home to New Zealand's only veterinary MRI.

You'll work alongside specialists, residents, interns and experienced emergency clinicians in an environment built around learning, collaboration and clinical excellence. Because we're independent, decisions can be made quickly, ideas are welcomed, and individuals can have a genuine impact. And with a third hospital opening in Wellington in 2027, there will be exciting opportunities for career progression as our group continues to grow.

 
What We Offer
In addition to competitive pay, you'll receive:

• Four weeks annual leave
• Ten days paid sick leave annually
• Public holiday pay differential plus an additional day in lieu for every public holiday worked
• Up to 26 weeks government-funded parental leave
• NZVNA membership and annual practising certificate paid
• $550 CPD allowance for first year, $1000 for each subsequent year, with paid CPD leave
• In-house continuing education programmes
• 20% overnight and weekend differential
• 50% discount on veterinary services for your own pets
• Pet bereavement leave
• Free counselling services
• Mental health-trained leadership
• Two months of roster visibility
• Free onsite parking, gym membership, and convenient public transport access
• An active social committee with optional events throughout the year
• AEWV sponsorship for eligible candidates
• Relocation support considered on a case-by-case basis
• Working Holiday Visa applicants welcome, with potential transition to AEWV sponsorship

Why New Zealand?
Let's be honest, New Zealand is often what catches people's attention first. And for good reason.

Whether it's beaches, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, sailing, surfing, camping, or simply having easier access to nature, New Zealand offers an outdoor lifestyle that's hard to match.

Auckland consistently ranks among the world's most liveable cities and offers a unique balance of urban convenience and outdoor adventure.

Whether you're based at ARC Central or ARC North, you're never far from beaches, cafés, harbour walks, regional parks, and weekend adventures.

For US and Canadian nurses, New Zealand is also one of the most achievable international moves, with a straightforward registration process and employer-supported visa pathways.

What's Next?
If you're looking for advanced emergency medicine, meaningful nursing responsibility, strong leadership support, and the opportunity to build a life in New Zealand, we'd love to hear from you.

Submit your CV and application today.

We can't fit everything into a job advertisement, so if you have questions about the role, registration, relocation, or visa sponsorship, get in touch.

Emergency nursing that matters. Support that makes a difference. Life beyond the hospital.

Welcome to your next adventure with ARC Vets.

Requirements

Minimum of one year's ER or critical care experience. Credentialed veterinary technician (RVT/CVT/LVT — state titles are interchangeable) holding an Associate of Science or Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology; either qualifies for registration with New Zealand's veterinary nursing register. Must be willing to relocate to Auckland, New Zealand. ARC Vets is an Accredited Employer under the AEWV scheme and can sponsor the right candidate; Working Holiday Visa applicants also welcome. Credentialing is not optional for this role — New Zealand's AEWV visa pathway requires a recognized credential (CVT, LVT, RVT, or an Associate's/Bachelor's in Veterinary Technology) to qualify for sponsorship. Candidates without current credentialing cannot be sponsored, regardless of years of hands-on ER experience.