July 13, 2005
New Graduate Nursing Programmes Should Stem Tide Of Departing Nurses
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation is delighted at today’s (July 13) announcement by Health Minister Annette King that
the Ministry of Health and district health boards will fund 600 positions for first year of practice nurses from
mid-2006.
NZNO president Jane O’Malley said the announcement affirms NZNO’s view that funding a national nursing entry to practice
programme is a very important measure in supporting the emerging nursing workforce.
“New graduate nurses’ first experiences in the workforce are crucial, for they will influence their long-term careers
and attitudes to nursing,” said O’Malley. “We have to stop the tide of nurses, particularly younger nurses, leaving the
profession. Support for new graduates will positively influence their future career plans and their commitment to
nursing.”
NZNO believes this measure, along with others like the successfully negotiated district health board multi-employer
collective agreement, is very important and a welcome addition to a package of measures including paid parental leave
and pay equity initiatives.
“The new programme bodes well for other nursing initiatives like an extensive roll out of return-to-nursing programmes
to encourage nurses who have left the nursing workforce back into nursing. Funding an initial 600 places is very
reasonable, along with an expectation of increases to that number as funding allows,” O’Malley said.
ENDS