Hopefully, this post answers a lot of questions that get asked repeatedly!
Current Situation:
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Very few opportunities in NZ for junior doctors.
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If you’re not an NZ citizen or a resident, it is probably best to try another country.
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If you are a specialist, you can try the vocational registration pathway, but make sure you read about it well as the requirements are pretty high and it is very expensive!
Before NZREX:
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you can take either AMC 1, Plab 1 or USMLE 1&2CK. Which one you take depends on your personal situation, there is no right answer.
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IELTS or OET.
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mcnz.org.nz has a lot of detailed information about the exam itself and how to apply, etc.
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You just need a visitors visa to take the exam. You can even do an observership on a visitors visa.
Study:
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Its an OSCE exam, study accordingly.
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AMC Handbook of clinical assessment or OSCE cases by Katrina Hurley.
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General Practice by John Murtagh as a review book
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Recalls from previous exams, ask your colleagues for these. Can’t post these publicly.
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Study partner to practice OSCE cases.
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pass rates are around 50-60%
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There are no official NZREX courses. You don’t usually need any courses to pass the exam.
After NZREX:
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Apply to all hospitals individually.
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No match process like the US.
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apply for observerships by emailing or calling hospitals while you wait for a job. https://nzrexinfo.blogspot.com/2012/10/observership-in-nz.html
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Since 2016, 279 candidates took the exam, 154, passed and 78 got a job eventually. Most of these are from
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https://nzrexinfo.blogspot.com/2019/08/apply-for-house-officer-positions-after.html