MEDIA RELEASE
March 11 2008
Waikato Initiatives to beat nursing shortgages
Health Waikato is running an Information Day at Waikato Hospital on Friday, March 14.
The aim is two-fold : to attract registered nurses who have left their careers to have families back to work and to
attract more nurses into training.
The expo will give attendees the chance to work with medical equipment, tour different hospital wards and be observe the
diverse and interesting aspects of the profession.
Waikato DHB recruits at least 45 Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) nursing graduates every year. The campaign
focuses on an opportunity to make a contribution to nursing while earning a good salary. Nurses' wages start from
$41,000 per year.
There is a nationwide shortage of nurses. Last year Waikato DHB and Wintec joined forces to promote nursing as a career.
Nurses, midwives and occupational therapists are in demand throughout the country.
For over twenty-five years Wintec has provided nursing programmes which have both a national and international
reputation. Registered Nurses who graduate from the School of Health are "fit for purpose" competent practitioners.
These Registered Nurses are successful in gaining employment locally, nationally and internationally.
The Bachelor of Nursing programme at Wintec provides a unique curriculum within New Zealand, being the only nursing
programme to offer a series of pathways which students choose mid way through their programme and follow to the point of
completion. The pathways provide a strong clinical focus in Medical/Surgical Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Primary
Healthcare Nursing, these pathways developed with industry stakeholders, provide our students with a clearer career
focus within these specialties, thus enhancing their employment opportunities. Wintec’s School of Health also offers a
Bachelor of Midwifery, Natural Therapies, Tihei Mauri Ora philosophy and post graduate studies
Health Waikato's Information Day will take place from 9.30-11.30am and 1-2.30pm in level one of Waikato Hospital's Entry
Building.
ENDS