Less Than Half of Recent Nursing Graduates Find Jobs in NZ

Recent figures from Health NZ reveal that only 323 out of 722 nursing graduates secured employment in hospitals through the Advanced Choice of Employment Mid-Year matching process. This marks a significant decline in job placement rates for new nurses, raising concerns about the future of the nursing workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bianca Grimmer, co-president of the Nurses Organisation student unit and a graduating nursing student, expressed her disappointment, stating, “It’s really discouraging.” She highlighted the uncertainty affecting students across various cohorts, with many contemplating whether to continue their studies or seek employment in other fields. Grimmer noted, “Te Whatu Ora used to hire 80-90% of all graduates. We were blindsided this time last year when only three in every five mid-year graduates were hired. This year is even worse.”

Job Market Challenges for Nursing Graduates

According to Health NZ, during the recent mid-year matching process, there were 173 applications from graduates still seeking positions after completing their studies at the end of last year. National Chief Nurse Nadine Gray emphasized that those unable to secure hospital jobs would be entered into a talent pool available to all registered employers in the health sector. Over recent years, many initially unmatched applicants found success through this talent pool, with approximately 84% of nurses obtaining roles in both 2023 and 2024.

“Graduate RNs [registered nurses] often look to hospitals for their first role,” Gray noted. “While we are working to employ as many graduate RNs as possible, I want to encourage students to explore opportunities across the entire health system.” She added that the government is committed to enhancing the nursing workforce in primary and community care.

Government Investments in Nursing Education

The New Zealand government is investing significantly in nursing education and workforce expansion. This includes $30 million over five years to fund 400 graduate nurses in primary and community care annually. Additionally, providers will receive $15,000 for employing a nurse in urban settings and $20,000 for rural placements. Another $34.2 million will fund 120 nurse practitioner training positions in primary care each year starting in 2026, alongside $21.6 million over four years to accelerate advanced tertiary education for up to 120 primary care registered nurses annually.

A recent survey by the Nurses Organisation involving 1,246 nursing students indicated that 62% would consider seeking employment overseas if unable to secure a new graduate job in Aotearoa New Zealand. This figure rises to 73% among Māori students. Grimmer mentioned that nursing students attended a jobs expo where Australian recruiters were actively offering better wages and conditions for graduates.

“We have a health system in crisis and desperately need more homegrown nurses,” Grimmer stated. “With 30,000 Kiwis leaving for Australia in the past year, this short-sighted decision by Te Whatu Ora will see more graduate nurses packing their bags.”

In a related development, approximately 36,000 members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) are preparing for a 24-hour national strike on July 30, 2024, following stalled negotiations over their Collective Agreement. The union has highlighted Health NZ’s “refusal to commit to its obligation to employ new graduates” as a primary point of contention.

The situation underscores the urgent need for strategic measures to address the employment challenges facing nursing graduates and the broader implications for healthcare in New Zealand.