Is there a really severe nursing shortage in NZ?

Give people a chance to respond it is only less than 3 hours since you posted your questions and I think still early hours in NZ

I know for mid year intake they had a few positions still not filled for the new grad program in christchurch http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/gnp/ maybe would be the same for next year (applications have closed i think, but if they have space they would probably still consider yours.)

Also worth looking up Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin (as they are the main centres). Contact the employers and they will be able to give you a more straightforward answer.

Hi, I'm just about finished my nursing degree in NZ. Most new grads here enter a nursing entrance to practice program (NETP) with one of the district health boards, agencies or private hospitals around the country. There are usually two intakes a year, I think most of the applications for the January 2010 intake have closed but if you were hoping to start early next year I would send out some emails with a copy of your resume and see what turns up.
As for the nursing shortage in NZ. Many district health boards are thinking of the future and the many nurses who might be thinking of retirement in the next few years, so they are willing to offer positions/programs for new grads.
Best of luck

I agree with sej33. It is hard to get a job without graduate program if you do not have any experience and are newly graduated.

Although most of hospitals closed application for the next year, you can send your resume and coverletter to them. If sombody cancel the application, you can get into.

Also, please always check general job websites - A (I think this is useful for us because it has only medical jobs in Aus and NZ, although it looks new), B and all district health board career sites (You can access all lists here) because some hospitals advertise for additional grads between Dec and Feb.

Good luck, love

Hi,

At the moment in NZ there are increasing numbers of nursing graduates and nurses coming back into the nrusing profession after being out of it for a while if their jobs have now disappeared in other areas.

Getting into new graduate programmes can be difficult. I will soon be a new graduate and have a job for next year but some of my friends have not got jobs and are finding it difficult to in a larger city.

Smaller centers in NZ are on the look out for nursing staff all the time. larger hospitals have more vaccancies however, many new graduates from NZ want to be there too so if I was you I would try smaller hospitals. The opportunities can still be there and also support is often better.

Good luck and I hope this information helps. There is no harm in sending CV's out etc you will just need to check whether they take new grads from other countries or whether you need to obtain visa's, registration etc prior. Intakes are normally next in August/September I think but some hospitals may have more.
=)