Just 15 out of 104 enrolled nurse graduates from the end-of-year cohort — 14 per cent — have secured jobs at Te Whatu Ora.
NZNO enrolled nurse (EN) leaders say such a low rate of employment was “cruel” and risks disillusioned ENs abandoning the workforce altogether after 18 months of training.
Te Whatu Ora chief nurse Nadine Gray told Kaitiaki that 51 out of 196 applicants over the year had secured ENSIPP (enrolled nurse support into practice) positions — about a quarter. But broken down, that figures includes 36 out of 92 mid-year graduates — just over a third — and just 15 out of 104 end-of-year graduates.
‘If enrolled nurses are unable to gain employment after completing their education, they may become disillusioned with the profession and potentially leave nursing altogether.’
That now left 145 EN graduates in the talent pool, including 15 Māori and eight Pasifika, she said.
“We highly value the skills and knowledge enrolled nurses bring to their roles,” Gray said. “We encourage graduate nurses to be flexible around the location and type of work they are seeking.”
Gray said a newly expanded scope of practice for ENs — coming into effect from January 20, 2025 — would give more job flexibility.
“Under the new scope, enrolled nurses can access guidance from a registered nurse or other registered health practitioner. The broadening of health professional guidance is expected to enable enrolled nurses to work in a wider variety of settings.”
But NZNO enrolled nurses section (ENS) leaders Michelle Prattley and Tina Giles said many would simply give up or move overseas.
“If enrolled nurses are unable to gain employment after completing their education, they may become disillusioned with the profession and potentially leave nursing altogether.”
Employing so few would also “diminish the role and visibility of ENs within the broader health-care team”, they said.
Prattley — who described the low intake as “cruel” and “sad” — said Te Whatu Ora’s recent pause in safe staffing calculations would likely result in even fewer EN roles.
“Without an ENSIPP programme to support their confidence and growth . . . they will end up working as health-care assistants or not knowing where to find support,” she said.
‘The broadening of health professional guidance is expected to enable enrolled nurses to work in a wider variety of settings.’
ENSIPP offers EN graduates professional development support including clinical and pastoral in their first year.
“With this in mind, we see the potential for new grad enrolled nurses to leave New Zealand and go overseas to seek employment with support,” Prattley said.
Asked for 2023 EN employment rates to compare, a Te Whatu Ora spokesperson said it would provide those next week.
Last week, Kaitiaki revealed just over half — 844 — of 1614 new registered nurse (RN) graduates who applied had secured entry jobs at Te Whatu Ora, leaving 770 jobless.
Nadine Gray — who has spoken of how she began her nursing career in aged care — said graduates should consider jobs in primary and community health and aged care.
‘If enrolled nurses are unable to gain employment after completing their education, they may become disillusioned with the profession and potentially leave nursing altogether.’
But graduates say pay scales are up to 20 per cent lower and there can be a lack of supported entry roles for new nurses. Many told Kaitiaki they planned to head to Australia.
NZNO student leader Bianca Anderson has accused Te Whatu Ora of failing in its most basic duty — planning future nursing workforce.
- The long-fought-for new EN scope of practice removes the requirement that ENs be under the direction and delegation of RNs. Further details can be found here.