Student nurse on uncertain work prospects

Morning Report

Student nurses are devastated they are no longer guaranteed a job when they finish studying. The nurses union says Te Whatu Ora/Health has paused the mid-year intake into the new graduate programme, which provides student nurses with roles in the hospital system. Health New Zealand chief executive Margie Apa declined an interview this morning. A statement from Nadine Gray, the chief nurse at Te Whatu Ora, says, "there is no pause on the recruitment of graduate nurses by Health New Zealand. Any statements saying otherwise are incorrect." She says Te Whatu Ora is focussing on areas with vacancies, and that graduates can also find work in the private sector. A third year nursing student spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.