Starting your career as a graduate registered nurse
Becoming a graduate registered nurse is the first step in a career that can take you in many diverse directions — with opportunities to grow and specialise in areas that matter most to you and your community.
Move from study into practice, with opportunities in general practice, community services, iwi providers, and rural health across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Graduate registered nurse transition to practice
Transition into your first year of practice with structured support from your employer, whether it is Health New Zealand, primary, community or private healthcare settings.
The supported first year of practice:
- enables flexible, year-round, education and professional practice support for graduate registered nurses employed by Health NZ or working in primary and community healthcare settings.
- is based on an international research model of graduate registered nurse transition to practice and can be undertaken part-time or full time.
- helps graduate registered nurses transition into their careers with confidence, ensuring they are safe, skilled, and prepared for professional practice.
- provides an agile, evidence-based experience, coupled with preceptorship, which responds to the evolving needs of graduate registered nurses throughout their transition to practice.
The Supported First Year of Practice specifications recognises that successful transition cannot be achieved through a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it provides a flexible, evidence-based experience that responds to the evolving needs of graduate registered nurses throughout their transition journey, underpinned by flexible individual support plans.
Months 1-3
"Doing" The Supported First Year of Practice addresses the initial "doing" stage through intensive professional practice support
- Structured Clinical Load Sharing - Providing intensive preceptor/clinical coach support during the most vulnerable period when graduate registered nurses are focused on task mastery and skill development
- Named Primary Preceptor - Ensuring accountability and consistent guidance during the period of highest anxiety and uncertainty
- Monthly Check-ins - Offering regular assessment of progress and adjustment of the individual transition plan
- Flexible Educational Access - Allowing graduate registered nurses to access relevant education as the need arises –and accommodating flexible start dates across the year.
Months 4-6
"Being" As graduate registered nurses progress to the "being" stage, the Supported First Year of Practice provides support for developing professional understanding and confidence
- Continued Preceptor/Mentor/Clinical Coach Support - Maintaining guidance while gradually increasing independence and autonomy.
- Educational Release - Facilitating deeper learning and reflection as cognitive capacity expands beyond immediate task focus
- Progress Monitoring - Adjusting support intensity based on individual development and emerging competence with a formal check-in at 6 months
- Flexible clinical settings - Enabling experience in one or two clinical areas to broaden understanding and application
Months 7-12
"Knowing" The final stage of transition to the health workforce is supported through
- Ongoing coordination and mentor support through monthly check-ins as graduate registered nurses develop their professional identity
- Performance Monitoring - Validating practice development achievement while providing pathways for additional support if needed
- Career Conversation - Preparing for integration into the broader health workforce
Funding support
Funding for primary and community healthcare employers to recruit graduate registered nurses
Talk to your employer — they may be eligible to receive funding to:
• employ you
• provide you with a supported first year of practice.
Funding for primary care employers — Health New Zealandexternal link
Grow your career in nursing
There are many opportunities to grow your career in the future.
Postgraduate study and scholarships
Access to advanced education, including prescribing pathways.
Registered nurse primary care scholarships — Health New Zealandexternal link
Postgraduate study funding applications — Health New Zealandexternal link
Nurse Practitioner training
Supported training to become a Nurse Practitioner.
Nurse Practitioner training support scheme — Health New Zealandexternal link
Looking for your first job?
Stepping into your first role marks the beginning of a diverse career. Remember that every practice setting contributes to your knowledge and critical thinking skills. View each role as an opportunity, and you’ll build an impressive CV over time.
Looking for your first job?
Stepping into your first role marks the beginning of a diverse career. Remember that every practice setting contributes to your knowledge and critical thinking skills. View each role as an opportunity, and you’ll build an impressive CV over time.
Hear from our people
Available funding for employers
Funding is available for employers to receive up to $20,000 per graduate employed in primary and community healthcare settings.
If you can support graduate registered nurses into employment you may be eligible to apply for funding.
Funding for primary care employers — Health New Zealandexternal link
Start your career anywhere
Exploring roles outside your home region can open doors to new networks, career pathways, and opportunities you may not have considered. From large centres like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch to regional hubs such as Otago, Nelson, and Taranaki — every location offers a chance to begin your career, gain valuable experience, and grow your skills.
Start your career anywhere
Exploring roles outside your home region can open doors to new networks, career pathways, and opportunities you may not have considered. From large centres like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch to regional hubs such as Otago, Nelson, and Taranaki — every location offers a chance to begin your career, gain valuable experience, and grow your skills.