Less than half of graduating nurses are getting hired by Health New Zealand.
New data reveals only 323 out of 722 mid-year graduates gained entry level jobs in hospitals.
The Nurses Organisation says that number used to be as high as 90 percent.
President of the National Student Unit, Bianca Grimmer, says it's forcing students into roles they're not exactly after.
"Nurses have a purpose and a 'why' for why they want to go into the workforce and where they want to work - and they're really stronger in the health system and those places that they're really passionate about."
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudgin
from News talks'b.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Further concerns from nursing students, as under half of mid
year graduating students are employed by Health New Zealand. The
mid Year Cohort finished final exams last week and figures
show that just three hundred and twenty three out of
seven hundred and twenty two applicants gained entry level roles
in hospitals. That's just forty five percent. New Zealand Nurses
(00:33):
Organization National Student Unit President Bianca Grimmit is with me now,
good morning, thank you for your time.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Good morning, thank you the anchor.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Is this number lower than you had been anticipating?
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Yeah, I mean it's definitely a shock to the system
for all of us still studying and that sort of thing.
It's definitely a lot lower than what we projected, but
I think we were kind of anxious that it was
going to be low, just based on last year's numbers
as well.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Okay, so you were expecting this or what kind of
number were you expecting to get roles with Health New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
I mean, obviously with last year's numbers, we were hoping
that they will put a plan in place and it
would rise and the number would be better this time round.
But yeah, it's not overly surprising that it is low.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Okay, what was the number last year BNKA.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
So we found that in the end eighty four point
four percent roughly found roles and that was worth house
in Zealand and employed elsewhere, which is still not one
hundred percent. And at the first basis as well, it
was a lot lower than that as well.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Okay, so what other options are there for nurses if
they're not being employed by Tafatura?
Speaker 3 (01:52):
I mean, it takes them having to look on seek
and having to look elsewhere. The problem we're finding though,
is that nurses have a purpose and a why or
why they want to go into the workforce and where
they want to work, and they're really stronger in the
health system in those places that they're really passionate about.
And it's forcing uses into roles that aren't exactly aligning
(02:12):
with where they want to be. But you know, and
that affects pay and it effects also conditions and safety
and that for our new grads as well.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Why are the hospital roles so highly sought after by graduates.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
I think it's the level of specialization that you can
get and also the wrap around team support within the hospital.
Sometimes if you go into community roles straight as a
new grad you lack the team support to keep you
safe within your practice as you're entering the workforce and
learning exactly what it means to have that full responsibility
on you caring for people within the community. So definitely
(02:52):
there's a poll for the hospital just to whilst you're
getting your foundation's belt and you're stepping into the workforce,
you've got that complete wrap around support and safety net
for your practice.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Yeah, and that makes sense, Benk. Can we keep hearing
about new shortages? You know, I know of people who
work in hospitals who are constantly talking about nursing shortages.
So why can't graduates get jobs?
Speaker 3 (03:16):
I don't know, it's a good question.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Yeah, I mean, is it a shortage? Is it a
shortage and more experienced nurses are there just only so
many positions for new graduates.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
So we're definitely seeing the nursing turnover rate has decreased significantly,
so people are differently, you know, it's not as much
of a turnover. People are holding onto their jobs which
I mean makes sense in the economy that we're currently
sitting in and the job uncertainty that we're seeing. But yeah, no,
there's there's staff shortages anywhere in the house system, absolutely
(03:49):
everywhere and anywhere, and so it's just you know, we
need as many nurses as possible going into roles, and
if there's no jobs available, then those nurses can't help
the house system out and can't go into those jobs.
But that ultimately takes workforce planning.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
So are we training too many nurses?
Speaker 3 (04:07):
No, we definitely need all the nurses that we're training,
that's for sure. I mean, staff shortages, how us do
we fix them unless we have those nurses really in
available to go into those positions. It's more we need
openings within the house system for them to go into.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Okay, un nursing students reconsidering their future. Are some regretting
the study path that they've taken.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, I think most that I've talked to aren't regretting
it because they have a really big passion and drive
for what they're wanting to do with the nursing. But
I think they are anxious and worried that it's not
going to turn out exactly how they want it to
and also you know, trying to feed your family and
trying to keep yourself being able to afford their essentials.
(04:52):
You know, it plays a big part in that, and
unfortunately that's why we're seeing the drive to Australia or
overseas to be able to make that ends meet and
to be able to you know, feed their families in
that and even throughout the cohorts from year one years three,
we're seeing people even in year one go we've only
just started. Should we actually just stop it here so
(05:14):
that we're not going into serious amounts of dare as well?
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Are there other sort of career paths that you can
take if you've started nursing and you think, I'm not
sure this is you know, going to be the direction
for me. Can you kind of make changes, take a
side step other career paths?
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:31):
Yeah, so you can cross credit to other courses for sure,
and you can definitely switch degrees. But again it just
goes back to the fact that a lot of nursing students,
practically all of us, come into it, you know, wanting
to do it for a sole purpose, and that purpose
is to help people and going into another degree isn't
necessarily going to fulfill that for people. And when you
(05:54):
know we're going through COVID times and you know there's
that scream out for hey, we really need nurses and
that people were like, okay, this is my chance. You know,
we're getting a lot more mature students as well that
are upskilling themselves moving into nursing, and I feel like
that all comes from a strong passion and a strong
purpose for what they want to do.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
The anchor Australia in particular is offering better wages and
working conditions. Is that also aimed at new graduates. I mean,
you'd be kind of mad not to take that up
if you can't get the role you want here in
New Zealand, right.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeah, oh definitely. I mean yeah, as someone who's about
to graduate pretty soon, I've just been to a Career's
expo and I talked to the Australia stand and they
were saying, oh, you know, like, is there any positions
you want to look at and really really keen to
get us over there and helping fill those slots over
in Australia. So it's definitely there's a massive poll for
(06:47):
new grads to go over there, they're willing to support
you wrap around team support, you know, help with trying
to get you over this in your information for moving.
And yeah, it's very attractive I think compared to what
we've got here in New Zealand at the moment.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Bianca, really appreciate your time this morning. Thank you so much.
That was New Zealand Nurses Association National Student Unit President,
Bianca Grima. There. I don't know, I just feel like
we can never quite get on top of this nurse's situation,
can we. I mean, as I said to you, I'm
told you know anecdotally from people that I know who
are working in environments a lot of the time, hospitals
that just say you they're constantly understaffed and nurses aren't
(07:24):
being replaced and it's really tough. And we were like, right,
let's train them up. Let's train them up. And now
we've got them well trained here in New Zealand and
can't find them work. It'll be interesting to find out
what that final figure is of employed nurses. Of course,
about forty five percent employed in hospitals, but in private
(07:44):
organizations and things will be easy to see whether that
gets to near that eighty four point four percent of
last year.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
For more from the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
live to news talks it'd be from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudgin
from News talks'b.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Further concerns from nursing students, as under half of mid
year graduating students are employed by Health New Zealand. The
mid Year Cohort finished final exams last week and figures
show that just three hundred and twenty three out of
seven hundred and twenty two applicants gained entry level roles
in hospitals. That's just forty five percent. New Zealand Nurses
(00:33):
Organization National Student Unit President Bianca Grimmit is with me now,
good morning, thank you for your time.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Good morning, thank you the anchor.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Is this number lower than you had been anticipating?
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Yeah, I mean it's definitely a shock to the system
for all of us still studying and that sort of thing.
It's definitely a lot lower than what we projected, but
I think we were kind of anxious that it was
going to be low, just based on last year's numbers
as well.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Okay, so you were expecting this or what kind of
number were you expecting to get roles with Health New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
I mean, obviously with last year's numbers, we were hoping
that they will put a plan in place and it
would rise and the number would be better this time round.
But yeah, it's not overly surprising that it is low.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Okay, what was the number last year BNKA.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
So we found that in the end eighty four point
four percent roughly found roles and that was worth house
in Zealand and employed elsewhere, which is still not one
hundred percent. And at the first basis as well, it
was a lot lower than that as well.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Okay, so what other options are there for nurses if
they're not being employed by Tafatura?
Speaker 3 (01:52):
I mean, it takes them having to look on seek
and having to look elsewhere. The problem we're finding though,
is that nurses have a purpose and a why or
why they want to go into the workforce and where
they want to work, and they're really stronger in the
health system in those places that they're really passionate about.
And it's forcing uses into roles that aren't exactly aligning
(02:12):
with where they want to be. But you know, and
that affects pay and it effects also conditions and safety
and that for our new grads as well.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Why are the hospital roles so highly sought after by graduates.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
I think it's the level of specialization that you can
get and also the wrap around team support within the hospital.
Sometimes if you go into community roles straight as a
new grad you lack the team support to keep you
safe within your practice as you're entering the workforce and
learning exactly what it means to have that full responsibility
on you caring for people within the community. So definitely
(02:52):
there's a poll for the hospital just to whilst you're
getting your foundation's belt and you're stepping into the workforce,
you've got that complete wrap around support and safety net
for your practice.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Yeah, and that makes sense, Benk. Can we keep hearing
about new shortages? You know, I know of people who
work in hospitals who are constantly talking about nursing shortages.
So why can't graduates get jobs?
Speaker 3 (03:16):
I don't know, it's a good question.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Yeah, I mean, is it a shortage? Is it a
shortage and more experienced nurses are there just only so
many positions for new graduates.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
So we're definitely seeing the nursing turnover rate has decreased significantly,
so people are differently, you know, it's not as much
of a turnover. People are holding onto their jobs which
I mean makes sense in the economy that we're currently
sitting in and the job uncertainty that we're seeing. But yeah, no,
there's there's staff shortages anywhere in the house system, absolutely
(03:49):
everywhere and anywhere, and so it's just you know, we
need as many nurses as possible going into roles, and
if there's no jobs available, then those nurses can't help
the house system out and can't go into those jobs.
But that ultimately takes workforce planning.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
So are we training too many nurses?
Speaker 3 (04:07):
No, we definitely need all the nurses that we're training,
that's for sure. I mean, staff shortages, how us do
we fix them unless we have those nurses really in
available to go into those positions. It's more we need
openings within the house system for them to go into.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Okay, un nursing students reconsidering their future. Are some regretting
the study path that they've taken.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, I think most that I've talked to aren't regretting
it because they have a really big passion and drive
for what they're wanting to do with the nursing. But
I think they are anxious and worried that it's not
going to turn out exactly how they want it to
and also you know, trying to feed your family and
trying to keep yourself being able to afford their essentials.
(04:52):
You know, it plays a big part in that, and
unfortunately that's why we're seeing the drive to Australia or
overseas to be able to make that ends meet and
to be able to you know, feed their families in
that and even throughout the cohorts from year one years three,
we're seeing people even in year one go we've only
just started. Should we actually just stop it here so
(05:14):
that we're not going into serious amounts of dare as well?
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Are there other sort of career paths that you can
take if you've started nursing and you think, I'm not
sure this is you know, going to be the direction
for me. Can you kind of make changes, take a
side step other career paths?
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:31):
Yeah, so you can cross credit to other courses for sure,
and you can definitely switch degrees. But again it just
goes back to the fact that a lot of nursing students,
practically all of us, come into it, you know, wanting
to do it for a sole purpose, and that purpose
is to help people and going into another degree isn't
necessarily going to fulfill that for people. And when you
(05:54):
know we're going through COVID times and you know there's
that scream out for hey, we really need nurses and
that people were like, okay, this is my chance. You know,
we're getting a lot more mature students as well that
are upskilling themselves moving into nursing, and I feel like
that all comes from a strong passion and a strong
purpose for what they want to do.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
The anchor Australia in particular is offering better wages and
working conditions. Is that also aimed at new graduates. I mean,
you'd be kind of mad not to take that up
if you can't get the role you want here in
New Zealand, right.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeah, oh definitely. I mean yeah, as someone who's about
to graduate pretty soon, I've just been to a Career's
expo and I talked to the Australia stand and they
were saying, oh, you know, like, is there any positions
you want to look at and really really keen to
get us over there and helping fill those slots over
in Australia. So it's definitely there's a massive poll for
(06:47):
new grads to go over there, they're willing to support
you wrap around team support, you know, help with trying
to get you over this in your information for moving.
And yeah, it's very attractive I think compared to what
we've got here in New Zealand at the moment.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Bianca, really appreciate your time this morning. Thank you so much.
That was New Zealand Nurses Association National Student Unit President,
Bianca Grima. There. I don't know, I just feel like
we can never quite get on top of this nurse's situation,
can we. I mean, as I said to you, I'm
told you know anecdotally from people that I know who
are working in environments a lot of the time, hospitals
that just say you they're constantly understaffed and nurses aren't
(07:24):
being replaced and it's really tough. And we were like, right,
let's train them up. Let's train them up. And now
we've got them well trained here in New Zealand and
can't find them work. It'll be interesting to find out
what that final figure is of employed nurses. Of course,
about forty five percent employed in hospitals, but in private
(07:44):
organizations and things will be easy to see whether that
gets to near that eighty four point four percent of
last year.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
For more from the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
live to news talks it'd be from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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