Some nurses are giving up in frustration at being overworked.
Nurses Organisation Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says around 75,000 nurses have annual practising certificates.
But up to 5% are either not working in the sector or aren't in the country.
Nuku told Mike Hosking that a nurse goes to work to deliver safe, quality care.
She says whenever that's compromised, the nurses become more pressured and decide to leave.
Nuku says that's especially the case when it's attractive to go to another job without that pressure or responsibility.
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