For Locums
FINDING LOCUM WORK
Overview
See how we help find you your perfect locum
How Messly works
A step-by-step guide to using Messly
Browse Jobs
See what locum jobs are available
Resources for locum doctors
The Locum Hub
POPULAR
Our top resources for finding locum work
Compare Locum Agencies
See ratings and testimonials of locum agencies
Locum Salary Calculator
POPULAR
See how much you can earn as a locum
Locum Rates Breakdown
Learn how much you can earn as a locum doctor
The Locum Academy
NEW
Rapid answers to common locum questions
The Locum Toolkit
Useful resources, services and tools for locums
Need help?
Contact Us
For F3s
For f3 doctors
F3 Hub
All our best F3 resources in one place
F3 Options
Learn about your best options for F3
How To Write The Perfect F3 CV
Our top tips for CV writing for F3s
The F3 Workbook
Our workbook to help you plan your F3
Guide To Australia
Read our Down Under guide
For Trainees
For trainees
Training Navigator
Discover the best-ranked FP rotations
Foundation Training Guides
All our guides and breakdowns for FT
Blog
Hiring Doctors
HIRING DOCTORS
For Locum Agencies
Get active locum doctors on-demand
For Healthcare Organisations
Great doctors for your business
Speak to our team
Contact Us
More
MORE
Portfolio Companion
NEW
How to structure and build your portfolio
About Us
Learn about the team behind Messly
Contact Us
Get in touch with our team
Login
Register
Login
Register
December 2022
June 21, 2020

F3 in New Zealand: My journey into Emergency Medicine training

We recently spoke with Dr Fionnghaile Nixon, a doctor originally from Ireland with medical experience all over the world, who has now settled into New Zealand's Emergency Medicine training programme.

In this interview, she discusses her decision to go into training in New Zealand, and offers some valuable advice for any young doctors looking to follow a similar path.

What is your clinical background, and when did you move to New Zealand?

I studied medicine back home in Dublin, and did my intern year in Cork in 2012 with an interest in paediatrics. I then went over to New Zealand in 2014, mainly because I wanted to travel and see new places.

In total, I stayed for about nine months. I worked in Wellington as a relieving house surgeon, where you provide cover when people are on leave or were off sick. It's a common first role for UK and Irish junior doctors coming over. It allowed me to see lots of different specialties, which was a great opportunity, and is a good stepping stone into the hospitals and the processes out here.

I then went back to do my Diploma in Tropical Medicine in Liverpool. I did that was I was interested in doing NGO work around the world. From there, I went to work in refugee camps in Greece, which was an experience that really opened my eyes.

In September 2017, I came back to New Zealand and have been here ever since. Since then I've done a number of roles, including 1 year of locum work (which you’re eligible to do after a year when have your General Registration with the MCNZ).

I started the Emergency Medicine training programme in November 2019.

Why did you choose to go into a training programme in New Zealand?

I was committed to staying over here longer term, so I felt it was a good direction to take, especially as the training available in New Zealand has such a good reputation.

Once I complete my training I will become a Fellow of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. That qualification is recognised in the UK and Ireland, which means I could return home as a Consultant. That was a big factor for me.

Can you share with us a bit about your training programme?

The programme lasts five years. It's a combined Australian and New Zealand programme (the College is responsible for training in both countries), which means I can split my training across Australia and New Zealand if I want to, and am eligible to work in both.

I’m actually going to Tasmania soon to make the most of that flexibility!

Of course, you can choose to do all the training in one city or move between places. I’m in Nelson Hospital now, but will be moving to Christchurch later this year. I love to travel, so I'm happy to keep moving around.

I do also plan to do some tropical medicine, so I might go to Darwin in Australia or maybe even Christmas Island. ‍

Do you feel well supported as a trainee in New Zealand?

Yes, because there is a strong focus on education and teaching here. Currently I get half a day of protected teaching time per week, often more, and that time is always respected.

My partner is on the psychiatry training programme, which gets a full day each week of teaching time, which he flies from Nelson to Christchurch for!

Consultants here tend to be young and very engaged. They are always present on the floor, keen to teach, and generally feel very available. There's mentorship involved too, but it’s not overbearing or restrictive at all. ‍

And what's your rota like?

I do a 40-hour work week, with four hours of that being teaching time.

Most RMOs will work a standard day of 8am-4pm, but in ED the shift patterns are more variable. The best thing is that we always leave on time... it’s very uncommon common to have to stay late.

I work every third weekend, then get four days off. I usually go away somewhere in New Zealand and do some hiking on those days.

You’ve worked in lots of parts of New Zealand now. How have your experiences varied?

I’ve found that New Zealand's rural hospitals, which are generally smaller facilities, are always super friendly. They have a cohesive, family-type feel which is very welcoming.

Because they’re smaller hospitals, that also means there tends to be less supervision when you're on call. I’ve been able to do lots of procedures here, and get exposure to a lot of different things. This tends to be where most of the jobs for international doctors are.

A personal benefit for me has been that I’ve been able to see and experience more of New Zealand in terms of the country, like the beautiful countryside, and also the culture.

I'm currently working at Nelson Hospital. It’s a small, 140-bed hospital with a seven-bed ICU. It's known for having great orthopaedics and paediatric services. I chose this area because it has the most sunshine hours in New Zealand, three National Parks, and is right on the coast.‍

Fionn in Nelson Hospital

‍

Finally, could you offer any tips for doctors considering making the move right now?

I’d say just take the leap! I absolutely love it out here. You can feel homesick at times, and it can be difficult with your family so far away, and my partner does miss home quite a lot sometimes. So it’s great if you can move out with a friend or a partner to make it an easier transition.


New Zealand is ‘open for business’ and actively recruiting junior doctors from the UK. Find out more about the process and see available jobs by clicking here.

This article is part of a wider series, supporting doctors like yourself with a comprehensive set of guides to ensure your F3 year is a success. These guides cover everything from initial planning, options for moving abroad, help with finding work, and tips for making the most of the experience. Click here to visit our F3 Resource Hub to explore the full list of guides and articles.

‍

Tagged:
Trainee Doctor
New Zealand
Medical Training
Foundation Training
F3
Doctor

Find locum work on your terms

The best locum agencies together in one place, competing to find you the best locum shifts. Managed for free through your Messly account.

GET STARTED
Chris Kurwie
Co-Founder
view All Posts
SIMILAR Posts
F3
Hobbies to Explore in Your Free Time as a Locum Doctor
F3
F3 Stories Podcast: Dr Omer Elhassan
F3
How to Discover Your Passions in Your F3 Year
F3
F3 Stories Podcast: Dr Razaz Elsheikh
POSTS BY TaGS
AHPRA
Australia
Doctor
ED
F3
Featured
Foundation Training
ICU
Lifestyle
Locum
MCNZ
Medical Training
New Zealand
Podcast
Trainee Doctor
Year Abroad
Subscribe
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
More Posts

You Might Also Like

F3
Hobbies to Explore in Your Free Time as a Locum Doctor
Jun 1, 2023
 by 
Dr Amelia White
F3
F3 Stories Podcast: Dr Omer Elhassan
May 25, 2023
 by 
Dr Amelia White
F3
How to Discover Your Passions in Your F3 Year
May 24, 2023
 by 
Dr Amelia White
F3
F3 Stories Podcast: Dr Razaz Elsheikh
May 18, 2023
 by 
Dr Amelia White
F3
Top Travel Destinations for your F3 Year
May 12, 2023
 by 
Dr Amelia White
F3
Understanding Junior Doctor Grades and Titles
May 3, 2023
 by 
Dr Amelia White

126 New Kings Road
London
SW6 4LZ
‍
T: 020 4525 5373
E: 
support@messly.co.uk

For Locums
OverviewKey FeaturesThe Locum HubThe Locum AcademyLocum Salary CalculatorCompare AgenciesThe Locum ToolkitChangelog
For Trainees
Training NavigatorFoundation Guides
For F3s
The F3 HubYour F3 OptionsWrite The Perfect CVThe F3 WorkbookChangelog
Hiring Doctors
For AgenciesFor Organisations
More
LoginThe Messly BlogThe Journal ClubAbout UsContact UsTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyChangelog
Get The App:
© 2022 Berdroot Developments Limited
Made with ❤️ in London