Graduate registered nurses (RNs) and enrolled nurses (ENs)

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:

• Primary Health Care Nursing Development Team: PHCNursing@waitematadhb.govt.nz
• NETP Coordinators: Lorelle Bobsien (Lorelleb@ADHB.govt.nz) and Rachel Philips (RPhillips@adhb.govt.nz)
• NESP Coordinator: Emily O’Connor (eoconnor@adhb.govt.nz)
• Māori Nurse Educator: Aroha Waaka (ArohaW@adhb.govt.nz)
• Pacific Nurse Educator: Augustina (Tina) Reid (augustinar@adhb.govt.nz)

Here’s a summary of the key points for the Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty NETP, NESP, and ENSIP 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.

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:

Supported first year of practice (SFYP)

• Details: Support graduate registered nurses throughout their transition from novice to competent registered nursing within various specialities. Includes education, professional development, and clinical coach support
• Positions: Permanent and fixed term contracts.
  Positions 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 through Advanced Choice of Employment
  Address cover letter to 'Nurse Coordinators, SFYP' and specify your preferred location within the region (Capital, Coast or Hutt Valley) if there is a preference.
  Advanced Choice of Employment (external link)
• Start date: January 20, 2026, April/May 2026 and September 2026
• Contact information: 
  Nurse Coordinator SFYP Capital, Coast Sarah Steele — Phone 027 2718 760
  Nurse Coordinator SFYP and Cultural Support Lisa Karaka — Phone 027 620 9674

NESP programme

• Details: Supports nurses new to mental health, addiction and intellectual disability services (MHAIDS) to develop their professional practice at the same time as developing the specific skills required for this specialty field.
• Requirements: All nurses working in mental health must have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate programme in mental health nursing.
  In addition to new nurses, we also welcome enquiries from:
  - experienced nurses who are interested in working in a mental health
  - addiction and intellectual disability setting
  - internationally qualified nurses (IQN)
  - nurses wanting to expand their scope of practice.
• Study and qualification: The NESP programme combines theory, supported clinical experience, clinical preceptorship and supervision. Nurses receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addiction Nursing on completion of the programme.

• Employment: 0.9 FTE.
  Nurses are offered a 72 hour permanent contract with paid study leave to complete the academic requirements of the programme.
  They are offered 2 rotations within our MHAIDS services (one inpatient and one community) which may include adult, youth, older adult, forensic, community, early intervention, intellectual disabilities, Māori and Pasifika health services. These may be across the Wellington, Kapiti, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa regions.
• Application: Apply through Advanced Choice of Employment.
  Address your cover letter to NESP.
  Advanced Choice of Employment (external link)

• Start date: January 2026 

NESP Contact information

Nikki Adams — Nurse Educator for students and NESPs

• phone 027 548 8853
• email nicola.adams@mhaids.health.nz

Paris Bailey — Nurse Educator Māori NESP and Māori Workforce Development

• phone 027 480 0224
• email Paris.Bailey@mhaids.health.nz

Sisilia Peine — Pacific NESP Educator

• phone: 027 282 5223
• email: sisilia.peini@mhaids.health.nz

ENSIPP

• Details: Supports new graduate enrolled nurses (EN) throughout their first year of practice within various specialities. Includes study days and clinical coach support. Once the ENSIPP is completed, nursing graduates will meet competencies and standards of practice meaning they can progress to competent level on the Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP).
  ENSIPP Information Sheet 2026 [DOCX, 182 KB]
• Employment: Permanent and fixed term contracts are available for 0.6 FTE to 0.8 FTE (6 or 8 shifts per fortnight). Dependent on vacancies within the clinical areas, positions are available in:
  • Kenepuru Community Hospital, Wellington Regional Hospital and Hutt Hospital
  • community nursing
  • aged and residential care
  • primary health care
  • mental health, addictions and intellectual disability (MHAIDS).
• Application: Apply through Advanced Choice of Employment (ACE)
  Address your cover letter to 'ENSIPP Coordinator' and specify your preferred location within the region (Capital, Coast or Hutt Valley) if you have one. 
  Follow the ACE instructions carefully. You can select up to 5 practice areas of interest in your ACE application for Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley.

  Advanced Choice of Employment (external link)

• Support: ENSIPP graduates entering their first year of practice are given both pastoral and clinical support from a clinical coach and the graduate programme coordinator.
• Start date: 20 January 2026 and September 2026 
• Orientation: Graduates are welcomed with an orientation to the programme followed by an orientation to their area of practice. Graduates will be orientated to their clinical area by their senior clinical nursing team and preceptor. It is anticipated that graduates will complete clinical orientation within 4 to 6 weeks of starting their position.

ENSIPP contact information:

Graduate Programme Coordinator Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley

Sharron Reynecke

• phone: 027 304 7910
• email: Sharron.Reynecke@ccdhb.org.nz

Our Graduate Nurses are supported through the Supported First Year of Practice (SFYP) and dedicated Clinical Teams. SFYP is designed to build clinical knowledge, competence, and confidence during your first year, with education sessions (online and in-person) and bedside coaching.

Opportunities include: Mental Health, Addictions, Disability Support, Medical and Surgical, Perioperative, Emergency and Critical Care, Adult Rehabilitation, KidzFirst Paediatrics and Neonatal, Women’s Health, Community and Public Health, and Primary Care. Roles span multiple sites: Middlemore Hospital, Manukau Health Park, community settings, and primary care.

Contact:

• SFYP and ENSIPP Coordinator:
  Emma Oppert – emma.oppert@middlemore.co.nz
• NESP Coordinator:
  Caroline Tusami – caroline.tusami@middlemore.co.nz

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
  • Email: NEtP@hbdhb.govt.nz
  • Phone: 027 231 3213 or extension 5455

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]

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:

• NESP Coordinator/Clinical Nursing Director: Joanna Price
• NETP Administration Officer - Rachel Wainohu 

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

• Recruitment: Occurs midyear and end of year. List of past employment information. [PDF, 413 KB] 
• Vacancies: Available in various settings.
• Role: Work in partnership with patients and their families/whānau, using nursing knowledge and clinical judgement.
• Support: Participation in the Nursing Council of New Zealand–accredited MidCentral NETP Programme to develop nursing competency.
• Resources: NETP Programme Learning Framework and Handbook [PDF, 910 KB]

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)

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

• Jodi Miller: Associate Director of Nursing Workforce Development Email: Jodi.Miller@nmdhb.govt.nz  or Phone: 022 012 9032

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 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

• NETP Coordinator: Raiquel TePuni
• NESP Coordinator: Jane Simperingham

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

• Southland Programme: Sharon Tou (NETP and ENSIPP Programme Coordinator) Email: sharon.tou@southerndhb.govt.nz
• Otago Programme: Colette Parai (NETP and ENSIPP Programme Coordinator) - Phone: 027 807 9107, Email: Colette.parai@southerndhb.govt.nz 
• NESP Clinical Coordinator: Catherine May - Phone: 03 476 9366, Email: catherine.may@southerndhb.govt.nz

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

NETP Programme

• Placements: Vary year-to-year; discuss potential placements with the NETP/NESP Coordinator or during the interview process.
• Hours: 0.8 FTE, 32 hours per week.
• Resource: NETP 2025 Handbook [DOCX, 5.2 MB]
• Contact: Lauren Hindmarsh (NETP Coordinator) - Email: lauren.hindmarsh@tdh.org.nz

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 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:
  • Nicki Hughes, NETP/NESP Coordinator/Nurse Educator
  • Email: Nicola.hughes@tdhb.org.nz
  • Phone: 06 753 6139 extension 8999

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

• Graduate Programmes Team: Email: GraduateNursingProgrammes@waikatodhb.health.nz
• Graduate Programmes Coordinator: Karyn Cunningham email: Karyn.Cunningham2@waikatodhb.health.nz

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

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

• Delivery: Provided by MHAIDS Capital Coast and Hutt Valley.
• Contact:
  • NETP Coordinator: Hannah Chittick - Phone: (06) 946-9800 ext 5781, Email: Hannah.Chittick@wairarapa.dhb.org.nz
  • NESP Coordinator: Nikki Adams - Email: Nicola.Adams@mhaids.health.nz

Additional information

• Portfolio Resources: Refer to the PDRP Handbook (external link) and NETP Competent Level One-Stop-Shop (external link) for instructions on compiling your portfolio. Ensure timely communication with preceptors, managers, and others to meet submission deadlines.

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

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

• NETP Coordinator: Sarah Marsh - Email: Sarah.Marsh@wdhb.org.nz, Phone: 021 478 769
• NESP Coordinator: Sarah Holland - Email: Sarah.Holland@wdhb.org.nz, Phone: 021 437 980