Homegrown nursing workforce continues to grow

Health New Zealand once again intends to offer around 1800 graduate nurse roles over the coming year, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 

"The Government is committed to continuing to build a strong nursing workforce, and employing locally trained, homegrown nurses is a key part of that," Mr Brown says.

Last year, Health New Zealand set a target of around 1800 offers made to graduate registered nurses and, after the interview process was complete, made 1716 offers. In total, 1845 graduate registered nurses were employed across the wider health sector in the previous 12 months, including in primary care, community services, NGOs, and aged residential care, as well as hospitals.

"Over the next 12 months, Health New Zealand intends to again offer around 1800 roles, including graduate enrolled nurses, giving more New Zealand-trained nurses the opportunity to begin their careers on the frontline.

"Recruitment will run throughout the year and across the country, with roles spanning all specialties, including emergency departments, medical and surgical services, and mental health and addiction services. This ensures locally trained nurses are supported into frontline roles nationwide."

In addition to this, nurses will be supported into primary and community care roles with private providers, as well as roles employed directly by Health New Zealand.

"I want to congratulate all our new nurses on completing their studies. I look forward to welcoming them into the health workforce as they begin their careers caring for New Zealanders," Mr Brown says. ...