Labour will offer every New Zealand trained nurse a job in our public health system when they graduate, keeping our highly trained nurses here and strengthening the workforce.
“National’s hiring freeze is fuelling a crisis in our health system. Just 54 nurses have been hired in the last two years while patients and staff are paying the price every day,” Labour leader Chris Hipkins said.
“Graduate nurses are being trained here, but instead of starting their careers in New Zealand, too many are being forced to look overseas because National won’t give them a job.
“Our health system is in crisis, we can’t afford another three years of National,” Chris Hipkins said.
“Patients shouldn’t be left waiting in soiled beds. Nurses and doctors shouldn’t be forced to work in conditions they describe as an ‘absolute nightmare’ because they don't have the staffing they were promised,” said Dr Ayesha Verrall.
“We will also fix the shortage of nurses in primary care by doubling the funding available through the current recruitment subsidy.
“We will increase the current rate for rural nurses from $20,000 to $40,000 and for nurses in urban areas from $15,000 to $30,000.
"Graduate nurses have invested years in their training. They deserve certainty that there will be a job waiting for them when they qualify.
“We need a strong and sustainable nursing workforce. Ensuring graduate nurses can progress into work is part of Labour’s plan to make healthcare more affordable, accessible and fit for the future.
“This is about giving graduates certainty, strengthening the workforce, and improving care for patients. Labour is backing our graduate nurses and investing in the future of healthcare,” Dr Ayesha Verrall said.
