Rural Practices - Graduate RN initiative

21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference, 10-13 April 2026: Read More – WONCA 2026 | Home

NZMedJobs & NZLocums—the workforce division of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network—works closely with Health New Zealand (HNZ) to support rural practices across Aotearoa. We hold an HNZ contract to recruit GPs and NPs into rural communities. This agreement has been recently extended to include supporting Graduate Registered Nurses through their first year of practice. NZMedJobs & NZLocums manages the implementation and delivery of this programme in partnership with HNZ. This is no cost to the practice.

Questions? Email enquiries@nzlocums.com or call 04 472 3901

Employing a Graduate Registered Nurse

Any practice can employ a graduate RN. The key to successfully employing a graduate RN is to ensure they receive appropriate support throughout their first year of practice. To enable a graduate RN to transition effectively into the primary health workforce during their Supported First Year of Practice (SFYP), certain requirements must be met.

Guidance for minimum requirements for primary and community graduate Registered Nurse (RN) Supported First Year of Practice (SFYP).

All SFYP will aim to provide the following minimum requirements enabling graduate RNs to achieve transition into the primary health workforce.

a strong practice and learning foundation
delivered in a safe and supported environment
using experts who understand the realities of the practice area
through consistent skill development, knowledge growth, and training
wherever possible, involve an interdisciplinary approach

An in-house or one externally supported and planned SFYP experience will have the following minimum requirements:

Start date flexibility i.e. throughout every month of the year
Minimum of 0.6 FTE employment
80 employer supported study hours relevant to setting (face to face or online), practice specific clinical skills training and mandatory (CPR, IT etc) requirements (including paid release, travel and accommodation support if needed)
80 – 120 hours clinical load sharing allocation applied as needed
Allocation of trained on site named preceptor(s) and opportunities for other regular support such as supervision, mentorship, reflection, or coaching (utilising face to face or on-line)
An individual practice transition plan is required, click here

If you have any questions, or would like further support in implementing the guidance or using the transition plan, please contact Health New Zealand at GraduateRN@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

In March 2025, the Minister of Health announced dedicated funding to encourage the primary care and community sector to employ graduate registered nurses. Under this initiative, Health New Zealand will provide up to:

$15,000 for urban employers
$20,000 for rural employers

For more information about funding click here or email GraduateRN@tewhatuora.govt.nz

To apply for funding please click here

Testimonials / Whakaaturanga

Experience has been positive as they are keen, and willing and wanting to learn. They engaged well with patients.

– Northland Practice

New graduates often bring enthusiasm, current evidence-based knowledge, and a willingness to learn, which positively impacts team dynamics.

– Oamaru Practice

We employed a new graduate nurse, she is fantastic.

– Southland Practice

The nurse we employed brought a diverse range of experience, being in her mid-40s and having previously worked in a rest home. It’s always great to have fresh perspectives on the team.

– Waikato Practice