Funding for nurses to return

The Ministry of Health has launched a $1 million fund to help former nurses return to the healthcare sector, to focus on growing the workforce as pressures from Covid19 continue.

A maximum of 200 nurses are eligible for this funding across both rounds of applications, and the fund covers up to $5000 of an applicant’s training courses, English language proficiency tests, administration fees and other individual costs, such as childcare, transport and uniforms.

The Ministry’s chief nursing officer Lorraine Hetaraka welcomes the launch of the support fund.

“The support fund is to help nurses who are not currently practising to return to a nursing role, to meet increased demand, support safe staffing, and improve access to care.

“Nurses are one of our cornerstones of the health and disability system and we need more across all areas of the health and disability system in Aotearoa. It’s so important we can grow the workforce to help meet demand and to ensure these nurses are experienced and skilled,” says Ms Hetaraka. The first round of applications are open from today, and close on March 14. A second round of applications will open in May. “We know there are more than 20,000 New Zealandtrained registered nurses who are not currently practising, and more than 1000 internationally qualified nurses who are working in aged residential care as health care assistants who may be eligible for this support,” says Ms Hetaraka.

More details are available on the Ministry of Health website.