Starting out as a nurse

Congratulation on nearing the end of your nursing studies or graduating. Stepping into your first role marks the beginning of a rewarding and diverse career.

You can apply to be matched to a  vacancy  (many of which are specifically targeted to new graduates) via the Advanced Choice of employment (ACE) process. We recommend this for all eligible graduates as it enables you to apply to multiple employers via a single portal.

You can also look for jobs directly on Kiwi Health Jobs and other websites.

Start your nursing career - Kiwi Health Jobs (external link)

Employers offer a range of support and programmes for new nurses.

Enrolled nurses

  • ENSIP (Enrolled Nurse Support into Practice): Provides support for new graduate enrolled nurses in hospital settings.
  • ACE for EN (external link)

Registered nurses

A supported first year of practice helps graduates start their careers with confidence, ensuring they are safe, skilled, and prepared for further professional development. Different employers may call their induction process by different names.

Some are:

  • SFYP. The goal of the supported first year of practice (SFYP) programmes is to provide a planned first year of practice coupled with preceptorship that enables transition from a novice RN to a competent RN in primary health care, aged care or community health.
  • NEtP (Nurse Entry to Practice): Supports new graduates in hospitals and some primary health care settings.
  • NESP (New Entry to Specialty Practice): Focuses on nurses new to mental health, addiction, and intellectual disability services, helping them develop specific skills for these fields.

Find out more information on ACE website (external link)

Some more guidance on applying for jobs:

Guide for new graduate applying for jobs (PDF 107KB) [PDF, 107 KB]

 

Programmes in the districts

Auckland, North Shore and Waitematā

Auckland, North Shore and Waitematā

For new graduate nurses, we offer a structured ten-month program and permanent roles in various specialties provide a solid foundation for their careers. Here are the specialties available:

  • Adult Health: Aged Residential Care, Cancer and Blood, Cardiac Care (coronary care), Cardiothoracic and Vascular, District Nursing, Emergency and Trauma, Intensive Care and High Dependency, Medical, Perioperative, Primary Health Care, Public Health Nursing, Reablement, Surgical and Women's Health.
  • Child Health: Cancer and Blood, Cardiac, Children's Emergency, Community Child Health, Medical, Neonates (NICU), Paediatric Intensive Care, Orthopaedics and Surgical.

Contacts:

Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty

Here’s a summary of the key points for the Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty NETP, NESP, and ENSIPP programmes:

Programme Details:

  • NETP (Nurse Entry to Practice): A 12-month programme with 2 professional development days to build on undergraduate knowledge and experiences.
  • NESP (Nurse Entry to Specialist Practice): Includes completion of a postgraduate certificate in 2024/2025.
  • ENSIPP (Enrolled Nurse Supported-into Practice Programme): Intake and start dates are negotiable. Applications are made via the ACE link.

NESP clinical placement options

NESP will provide a rotation of intpatient and community, each consisting of 12 months over a two year period. 

  • First Year: Inpatient setting for 12 months, completing the postgraduate certificate. You’ll be placed in one of the three acute inpatient units.
  • Second Year: Community setting for 12 months, with a transitional placement.

The placements can be at either the Whakatāne or Tauranga campus and include:

  • BOPAS/AOD 
  • CHILD and Adolescent mental health services 
  • Adult Community mental health services
  • Infant and Maternal Mental heallth 
  • Consultation Laiison Psychiatry service 
  • Mental health services for older people 
Tauranga Hospital Whakatāne Hospital
  • Medical 
  • Surgical 
  • ICU/CCU 
  • Health in Ageing 
  • Paediatrics 
  • Emergency department 
  • Wāhanga Piripoho / Neonatal Unit / Post-natal 
  • District nursing 
  • Assessment planning unit 
  • Medical Day stay unit 
  • Outpatient department 
  • Operating theatres 
  • Pre assessment unit 
  • Surgical admission unit
  • Medical 
  • Surgical 
  • Outpatient department 
  • Paediatrics 
  • Acute Care unit (ICU) 
  • Emergency department 
  • Surgical admission unit 
  • Operating theatre 
  • District Nursing 
  • Wāhanga Piripoho / Neonatal Unit / Maternity 

Canterbury and West Coast

Canterbury and West Coast

Canterbury and West Coast offer a structured 12-month programme. Health NZ offers permanent contracts, while a mixture of permanent and fixed-term contracts is offered by community or primary health organisations.

NETP and NESP Programmes

NETP and NESP programmes generally have two intakes each year - in January and September. Te Whatu Ora offers permanent contracts, subject to meeting all programme requirements. A mixture of permanent and fixed-term contracts is offered by community or primary health organisations.

The NESP programme (inclusive of Te Tai O Poutini and NGO partners) numbers vary from year to year:

Mid Year 2025​:

  • 5th - 10th June 2025

End of Year 2024​:

  • 9th - 15th October 2025

The assessment interview process is a recruitment process which includes NETP/NESP applications to Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha and Te Tai O Poutini, and partnering organisations, St Georges Hospital and Southern Cross Hospital, Christchurch.

Resources:

Contacts:

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley

Here’s a summary of the key points for new graduate nurses interested in the NETP, NESP, and ENSIPP programmes at Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley:

NETP Programme:

  • Programme details: Supports new Registered Nurses (RN) graduates through their first year of practice within various specialties. Includes study days and clinical coach support.
  • Positions: Permanent and fixed term contracts. Position within Kenepuru Hospital, Wellington Hospital and Hutt Valley Hospital, Community Nursing Aged and Residential Care and Primary Health Care. Dependent on vacancies within the clinical areas. 
  • Employment: 0.6 FTE - 0.8 FTE (6 or 8 shifts per fortnight)
  • Application: Apply via Advanced Choice of Employment (external link) (address cover letter to NETP Coordinators and specify your preferred location within the region (Capital, Coast or Hutt Valley)
  • Programme start date: 20 January 2026 and September 2026 
  • Contacts
    Nurse Coordinator NETP Capital, Coast Sarah Steele - Phone 027 2718 760 or Nurse Coordinator NETP and Cultural Support: Lisa Karaka - Phone: 027 620 9674.

NESP Programme:

  • Programme details: Focuses on nurses new to mental health, addiction, and intellectual disability services.
  • Employment: 0.9 FTE
  • Application: Apply via Advanced Choice of Employment (external link) (address cover letter to NESP) 
  • Programme start date: January 2026 
  • Contacts
    Nurse Education NESP and student Nikki Adams - Phone 027 548 8853 or Māori NESP Educator Paris Bailey Phone: 027 480 0224 or Pacific NESP Educator Sisilia Peine Phone: 027 282 5223. 

ENSIP Programme:

  • Programme details: Supports new graduate Enrolled Nurses (EN) throughout their first year of practice within various specialities. Includes study days and clinical coach support.
  • Positions: Permanent and fixed term contracts. Position within Kenepuru Hospital, Wellington Hospital and Hutt Valley Hospital, Community Nursing Aged and Residential Care and Primary Health Care. Dependent on vacancies within the clinical areas. 
    ENSIPP Information Sheet [DOCX, 191 KB]
  • Employment: 0.6 FTE - 0.8 FTE (6 or 8 shifts per fortnight)
  • Application: Apply via Advanced Choice of Employment (external link) (address cover letter to ENSIP Coordinator and specify your preferred location within the region (Capital, Coast or Hutt Valley)
  • Programme start date: 20 January 2026 and September 2026 
  • Contacts
    Nurse Coordinator NETP Capital, Coast Sarah Steele - Phone 027 2718 760

January 2026 NETP Programme: Intended employment areas

The ACE practice areas listed below indicate the intended recruitment focus for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley. Please note that vacancies are subject to change: additional areas may be added after the application period, and some listed areas may no longer be recruiting.

When selecting your preferred practice areas, please keep this in mind. If you have a particular area of interest, feel free to mention it in your cover letter;

Aged Residential Care

 

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley area
Also available for employment outside the ACE process

Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation

Kenepuru Hospital
Ward 6

Cardiac Care (Includes Coronary Care Units and Cardiothoracic)

Wellington Hospital
6 South - Regional Heart and Lungs Unit

District Nursing

Hutt Valley Hospital
Community Health

Emergency and Trauma

Wellington Hospital
Emergency Department

Hutt Valley Hospital
Emergency Department

Health of Older People within the DHB

Wellington Hospital
Ward 5

Hutt Valley Hospital
Older Person's Rehabilitation Service

Intensive Care (Includes High Dependency)

Wellington Hospital
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Medical

Wellington Hospital
Medical Assessment and Planning Unit (MAPU)
Ward 5 South: General Medical
6 East: General Medical
Dialysis

Huitt Valley Hospital
Medical

Neonatal

Wellington Hospital
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Hutt Valley Hospital
Special Care Baby Unit (SCUBU)

Oncology

 

Wellington Hospital
Wellington Blood Cancer Centre

Paediatrics, Child Health and Youth Health

Wellington Hospital (Te Wao Nui)
Piko: Children’s Medical
Kowhai: Children’s Surgical

Hutt Valley Hospital
Paediartics

Perioperative Care (Theatre)

Wellington Hospital
Operating Theatres

Hutt Valley Hospital
Theatre

Primary Health Care (including Practice Nursing, GP Clinics, Accident and Medical Centres, Iwi Providers, Pacific Providers, School Nursing, Well Child Providers, Plunket, NGO's and Hospice)

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley area
Also available for employment outside the ACE process

Surgical

 

Wellington Hospital
Ward 6 North: Orthopaedics and Urology
Ward 7 North: General Surgical, ENT, Ophthalmology, Vascular
Ward 7 South: Neurosciences
Surgical Assessment and Planning Unit (SAPU)

Kenepuru Hospital
Ward 7

Hutt Valley Hospital
Maxillofacial, Burns and Plastics Unit
General Surgery and Gynaecology

Woman's Health

Wellington Hospital
4 North Gynaecology

2026 January ENSIP Programme: Intended employment areas

The ACE practice areas listed below indicate the intended recruitment focus for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley. Please note that vacancies are subject to change: additional areas may be added after the application period, and some listed areas may no longer be recruiting.

 When selecting your preferred practice areas, please keep this in mind. If you have a particular area of interest, feel free to mention it in your cover letter

Aged Residential Care

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley area
Eliven (external link)
Also available for employment outside the ACE
process

Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation

Hutt Valley Hospital
Older Person's Rehabilitation Service

Health of Older People within the DHD

Kenepuru Hospital
Ward 4 and 5

Primary Health Care (Including Practice Nursing, GP Clinics, Accident and Medical Centres, Iwi Providers, Pacific Providers, School Nursing, Well Child Providers, Plunket, NGO's and Hospice)

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley area
Also available for employment outside the ACE
process

Medical

 

Wellington Hospital


Hutt Valley Hospital

Surgical

 

Wellington Hospitals
Outpatients Department

Perioperative Care (Theatre)

Wellington Regional Hospital 

Second Stage Recovery/Surgical Assessment Unit (SSR/SAU) 

Mental Health, Addictions and Intellectual Disability (MHAIDS)

Purehurehu 
ID Services - Haumietiketike, Manwai and Hikitea

 

Counties Manukau

Counties Manukau

NETP and ENSIPP Programme September Intake 2024 is closed

For those who are participating in the Counties Manukau Health NETP programme, here are some key points:

  • Funding: The NETP programme is partly funded by Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ), which is part of the Ministry of Health.
  • Data Collection: CM Health is required to collect certain data, including your results from any postgraduate requirements of the NETP programme. This data is used for reporting and auditing purposes and to comply with the Privacy Act (1993).

If you have any questions about the data collection process or need further information about the programme, feel free to ask!

Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay

Here’s the information for the Hawke’s Bay | Te Matau a Māui 2025 Midyear NETP intake.

Application details:

  • Applications open Wednesday 2 April 2025. We look forward to hearing from you.

Potential placement areas:

  • Medical wards
  • Surgical wards
  • Assessment, Treatment & Rehabilitation
  • Intensive Care
  • Emergency Department
  • Public Health
  • Age residential care
  • Mental health

Contact information:

  • Zena Wells: NETP Nurse Educator

If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to Zena Wells. Good luck with your application.

Information for Practicum Venues for Bachelor of Nursing and Certificate in Contemporary New Zealand Nursing Practice Students 2024 - Eastern Institute of Technology (PDF 790KB) [PDF, 790 KB]

Lakes

Lakes

The NETP programme will:

  • be individualised to meet the needs of the new graduate and practice setting.
  • either include a post graduate paper relevant to the practice setting or other appropriate training i.e. immunisation certificate. 

NESP programme will have a 12-month placement within the Mental Health and Addiction Service. 

Purpose of cultural support

Cultural support provides mechanisms for Māori nurses and midwives to develop their clinical and cultural practice as Māori health practitioners through their training, enhancing the likelihood of Māori successfully completing post graduate papers and the NETP programme and would be achieved through kaupapa Māori principles of:

  • Te Ao Māori – Māori worldview
  • Matauranga Māori – Māori knowledge
  • Mohiotanga – Māori experiential learning
  • Pukenga – being skilled in, or having a repository of specific skills
  • Te Whiriwhiritanga – weaving together the strand

Contacts:

MidCentral

MidCentral

MidCentral offers a robust support system for new graduate nurses through their Nurse Entry to Practice (NETP) and Entry to Specialist Practice (ESP) programmes. Here’s a brief overview:

Nurse Entry to Practice (NETP) Programme

Entry to Specialist Practice (ESP) Programme - Mental Health

  • Eligibility: New graduate and registered nurses entering mental health and addiction nursing.
  • Components: Combines theory, supported clinical experience, clinical preceptorship, and supervision.
  • Outcome: Nurses receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addiction Nursing.
  • Application: Open to new graduates or nurses new to mental health and addiction, employed by Health NZ services, NGO mental health and addiction services, or in a mental health role in a PHO.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the NETP Programme Handbook or email: netp@midcentraldhb.govt.nz

New Entry to Specialist Practice Mental Health and Addiction Nursing - Te Pou (external link)

Orientation booklets for wards and departments

Nursing Education Clinical learning is an important part of nursing education and the New Zealand Nursing Council requires that the student nurse undertake a minimum of 1100 clinical practice hours. Practice experiences are designed to focus on the learning needs of the student nurse and enable them to undertake nursing care with people in any context. Nursing Practice Development identifies and coordinates all student nurse placements and also makes certain that all compliance and contractual requirements are met prior to placement accommodation. 

Administrator, Nursing Practice Development Phone: (06) 350 9147 - Email: nursing.students@midcentraldhb.govt.nz

Nelson Marlborough

Nelson Marlborough

NETP Programme

  • Locations: Nelson and Blenheim.
  • Start Date: Late January.
  • Duration: Typically 12 months, with some placements split into two six-month periods.
  • Secondary Service Placements: Medical, surgical assessment treatment and rehabilitation, perioperative, emergency department, and radiology.
  • Primary Care Placements: Māori health provider, hospice, aged care, and mixed rural nursing experience at Murchison Community Hospital.
  • Position description: Registered Nurse [PDF, 136 KB]

NESP Programme

  • Start Date: Late January.
  • Duration: 12 months.
  • Placements: Based at Nelson Hospital’s Wahi Oranga mental health unit, with potential for community mental health or addictions services placements.
  • Support: Provides a safe, supported environment for transitioning to mental health nursing practice. Approved by Nursing Council New Zealand and funded by Te Pou Mental Health Workforce Development.

Contact information

Southern

Southern

Southern NETP/ENSIPP and NESP programmes offer a structured 12-month programme supporting nurses in a variety of placements. As below:

  • Locations: Invercargill, Dunedin, Central Otago, Queenstown and Ōamaru
  • Placements: Available in Southern Hospitals, Primary Health Care, private practice, aged residential care facilities, and community organisations. 
  • Start Dates:
    • Dunedin (Otago): 26 January, 16 March and 17 August 2026
    • Invercargill (Southland): 26 January 2026

Programme details:

  • NETP (Nurse entry to practice): a 12-month supported programme with 12 professional development days throughout the year to build and develop knowledge.
  • NESP (Nurse entry to specialist practice): A 12 moth supported programme with enrolment in two postgraduate nursing papers at the University of Auckland, leading to a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (Mental Health Nursing).
  • ENSIPP (Enrolled nurse support in practice): A 12-month supported programme with a minimum of 10 professional development days. Intake and start dates are negotiable. Applications are made via ACE.

Contact Information

Tairāwhiti

Tairāwhiti

NETP and NESP programmes offer a variety of opportunities and support for new graduate nurses. Here’s a summary:

NETP Programme

NESP Programme

  • Focus: For new graduate and registered nurses entering mental health and addiction nursing.
  • Components: Combines theory, supported clinical experience, clinical preceptorship, and supervision.
  • Funding: Te Pou funding available to assist with travel and accommodation.
  • Programme Dates:
    • February 2024 to February 2025
    • September 2024 to December 2025
  • Hours: 0.7 FTE, 28 hours per week.
  • Contact: Janine Brown NESP Co-ordinator - Phone: 03 476 9366, Email: janine.brown2@tdh.org.nz

Taranaki

Taranaki

Taranaki offers a supportive and structured environment for new graduate nurses through their NETP and NESP programmes. Here’s a summary:

  • Vacancies: Dependent on clinical area needs; suitability for NETP/NESP positions considered as vacancies arise.
  • Contracts: Permanent positions with FTE ranging from 0.8 to 1.0.
  • Orientation: Begins with a Whakatau and includes an introduction to the region and programmes.
  • Support: Preceptor support throughout the programme from experienced registered nurses with relevant training.
  • Education:
    • NETP: Includes a postgraduate paper.
    • NESP: Includes two papers leading to a postgraduate certificate in Mental Health.

Additional Information

  • Accommodation: Hostel available at Taranaki Base Hospital for staff and students. Contact Graeme Watts at graeme.watts@tdhb.org.nz for more details.
  • Contact:

Te Tai Tokerau

Te Tai Tokerau

NETP programme in Northland offers a variety of placements and robust support for new graduate nurses. Here’s a summary:

NETP Programme

  • Study Days: 12 study days.
  • Orientation: Includes preceptorship.
  • Postgraduate Paper: Clinical Practice Development.
  • Portfolio: Completion of the PDRP portfolio.
  • Outcome: Northland DHB NETP Certificate of Achievement upon successful completion.
  • Intakes: January and September.
  • Positions: Minimum of 20+ per intake, fixed term for 13 months, based on vacancies.
  • Placements:
    • Whangārei Hospital: Medical, Surgical, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Rehab, ED, Theatre, and ICU.
    • District Hospitals: Dargaville, Bay of Islands, Kaitaia (as positions become available).
    • Primary Health: Aged Residential Care facilities, GP practices, PHO, Iwi providers.
  • Student nursing skills and interventions: Suggested clinical learning activities for NorthTec nursing students [PDF, 211 KB]

NESP Programme

  • Postgraduate Certificate: In Mental Health and Addictions.
  • Supervision: Provided throughout the programme.
  • Portfolio: Completion of the PDRP portfolio.

Contact information

Waikato

Waikato

Waikato offers comprehensive support for new graduate nurses through their NETP and NESP programmes. Here’s a summary:

NETP Programme

  • Positions: Permanent and Fixed Term positions available.
  • FTE: 0.6 to 1.0 FTE (6 to 10 shifts per fortnight).
  • Education: Full funding for academic study, completing one paper towards a postgraduate certificate.

NESP Programme

  • Positions: Permanent employment rotating through 2 clinical placements over 12 months depending on starting dates and completion of academic study.
  • FTE: 0.8 (8 days per fortnight).
  • Education: Full funding for academic study through Te Pou, completing a postgraduate certificate with papers specific to Mental Health and Addiction practice (2 papers) through the University of Auckland, facilitated at the Waikato hospital campus.

ENSIPP

  • Positions: Permanent and Fixed Term positions available.
  • FTE: 0.8 (8 days per fortnight).
  • Education: Completion of the new graduate programme with continued support over 12 month placement.

Contact information

These programmes offer a solid foundation and support for your nursing career.

Wairarapa

Wairarapa

Wairarapa offers a well-structured and supportive environment for new graduate nurses through their NETP and NESP programmes. Here’s a summary:

NETP Programme

  • Employment: Permanent contract at 0.8 FTE.
  • Orientation: Includes generic learning and an introduction to the NETP and ENSIP programmes, followed by clinical orientation with Charge Nurse Managers and Preceptors, typically completed within 4-6 weeks.
  • Clinical Areas: Graduates will be informed of their placement before starting. Expected to complete online learning packages, orientation workbooks, IV competency, and study days.
  • Portfolio: By the end of the NETP year, RNs must develop a competency-based personal professional portfolio for assessment, achieving the competent level under the Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP).

NESP Programme

Additional information

South Canterbury

South Canterbury

NETP Programme

  • Intakes: Two per year (mid-January and late August).
  • Positions: 15-25 for January intake; 1-6 for mid-year intake.
  • Placements:
    • January: Surgical, Medical, Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation (AT&R), Operating Theatre, Paediatrics, Day Patient Services, District Nursing, ICU/CCU, Emergency Department, Aged Care, Primary Care, and specialty areas (depending on vacancies).
    • Mid-Year: Surgical, Medical, AT&R, Aged Care, Primary Health Care, and specialty areas (depending on vacancies).
  • Orientation: 4 weeks supernumerary period supported by an experienced preceptor.
  • Education: 12 paid study days to support learning needs and clinical placement.

NESP Programme:

  • Positions: Two positions for new graduate registered nurses in mental health.
  • Duration: 56 weeks.
  • Focus: Develop professional practice and specific skills in mental health and addiction nursing.
  • Requirements: Completion of a postgraduate certificate in Mental Health Nursing.
  • Mid-Year Intake: Three positions offered.

ENSIP Programme:

  • Positions: Surgical, Medical, Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation, District Nursing, Primary Health Care and Aged Care, as well as specialty areas such as theatre and endoscopy depending on vacancies
  • Duration: 52 weeks
  • Focus: Developed to facilitate a smooth transition from student nurse to an enrolled nurse
  • Orientation: 4 weeks supernumerary period supported by an experienced preceptor.
  • Education: 10 paid study days to support learning needs and clinical placement.
  • Contact: Phone: 03 687 2358

Whanganui

Whanganui

NESP and NETP programmes offer excellent pathways for new graduate nurses to develop their skills and advance their careers. Here’s a summary:

NESP Programme

  • Duration: 12 months.
  • Focus: Provides a supported pathway both clinically and educationally.
  • Clinical Placements: Acute Inpatient Service and Community Mental Health and Addiction Service.
  • Outcome: Achieve competent level on the Professional Development Recognition Portfolio (PDRP) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing (Mental Health).

NETP Programme

  • Duration: One full year or two six-month clinical placements.
  • Placement Options:
    • General medicine
    • General surgical
    • Theatre services
    • Paediatrics
    • Community
    • ATR / acute stroke unit
  • Process: Applicants choose their preferred area during recruitment, and placements are planned around these choices and service requirements.

Contact information