Filipino nurses begin study in Hawke’s Bay

February 10, 2021

Sixteen Filipino-qualified nurses entered New Zealand last month after being granted a “critical purpose” exception.

Gines Cabahug and Marnie Castrence
Gines Cabahug and Marnie Castrence

They are now completing a seven-week registered nurse competence training scheme for overseas-registered nurses at Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) in Hawke’s Bay. The course is also known as the competency assessment programme (CAP).

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Executive director of EIT’s International Centre Philippa Jones said it was a great start for the return of international students to New Zealand. “We are looking forward to welcoming the next cohort of CAP nurses next month.”

Among the newcomers are Gines Cabahug and Marnie Castrence. Both are thrilled to start their training. Cabahug worked as an emergency department (ED) nurse for four years, before working in a medical/surgical paediatric ward. Castrence, also an ED nurse, worked in Saudi Arabia for many years before her application to come here was granted.