Just over 40 per cent of mid-year nursing graduates appear to have been successful in getting places on new graduate programmes.
Nursing Review reported last week that some nursing students had decided not to sit state finals in July in the belief that their job chances would be better at the end of the year.*
The students fears may have been justified with Radio New Zealand reporting that Health Minister Tony Ryall told the Health Select Committee today that only 212 of the 515 nurse graduates seeking mid-year places on new graduate programmes were successful.
The 41 per cent job success rate for mid-year applicants was less than the nearly 60 per cent of November graduates who gained places in new graduate programmes by the end of last year.
Both cohorts of students applied through the new ACE graduate clearing house or “one-stop job shop” for government-subsidised NETP (nursing entry to practice) or NESP (mental health) jobs in public hospital or community settings. The mid-year applicants were informed on July 5 whether they had been successful in gaining a new graduate place.
Previously the only data available to measure graduate employment was the new graduate destination surveys carried out by nurse educator group NETS, which also captures new graduates who have found nursing jobs overseas or in private and community sector jobs that are not covered by ACE. The NETS survey of last year’s November graduates found 75 per cent in total had found nursing jobs by March this year.
The NETS survey of last year’s mid-year graduate intake found that 47 per cent of respondents had had job offers by the end of July 2012.
Meanwhile nursing leaders are concerned about the projected long-term shortfall of up to 15,000 nurses by 2035 (see New Feed story July 4) and chief nurse Jane O’Malley is working on new employment models to create more spaces for new graduate nurses.
The Nursing Review story about the projected shortfall prompted several online comments by new graduates confused and concerned about talk of increasing student intakes or overseas nurse numbers, when current graduates were struggling to find work.
One graduate said only eight students out of her class of 30 had gained NETP places and the rest were having to seek work elsewhere or try their luck in jobs requiring prior nursing experience.
“I think it is irresponsible to increase the student uptake when the jobs just simply are not out there.... maybe in 20 years time... I don't think I can wait that long to start working and pay off my student loan!,” she commented.
“We do not need overseas imports we just need the DHBs to hire more new graduates!” said another.
*Graduates are only eligible for places on NETP programmes for up to 12 months after completing their degrees.
