The decision by Government to boost nursing student numbers by adding 830 additional clinical placements for nursing students is a great move.

In addition to increasing placements for next semester by 130, the decision means an additional 700 clinical placements nationally annually.

Nurses Society director David Wills says that by any measure this is a very significant boost, given that Aotearoa New Zealand produces about 1900 new graduates annually.

Increasing the number of clinical placements will enable more nursing students to be accepted into universities and polytechnics.

“It is a very welcome move given the high demand for entry into nursing schools as well as the challenge of ongoing nursing shortages.”

Moreover, reducing the dependence of foreign trained nurses is important.  Currently nearly 30% of all nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand are foreign trained.

Depleting overseas countries of a scarce resource is a concern. 

Plus, producing more locally trained nurses is beneficial for long term workforce planning.

The decision by Government to boost nursing student numbers by adding 830 additional clinical placements for nursing students is a great move.

In addition to increasing placements for next semester by 130, the decision means an additional 700 clinical placements nationally annually.

Nurses Society director David Wills says that by any measure this is a very significant boost, given that Aotearoa New Zealand produces about 1900 new graduates annually.

Increasing the number of clinical placements will enable more nursing students to be accepted into universities and polytechnics.

“It is a very welcome move given the high demand for entry into nursing schools as well as the challenge of ongoing nursing shortages.”

Moreover, reducing the dependence of foreign trained nurses is important.  Currently nearly 30% of all nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand are foreign trained.

Depleting overseas countries of a scarce resource is a concern. 

Plus, producing more locally trained nurses is beneficial for long term workforce planning.