Industry providers swamped with work-ready nurses at Ara | Te Pūkenga employment fair

The latest Ara | Te Pūkenga nursing employment fair saw the ground floor at Manawa campus packed with ākonga seeking opportunities and providers encouraging interest.

Seventeen providers attended the twice-yearly event - some bringing representatives showcasing opportunities all over the motu.

Ara | Te Pūkenga Clinical Manager Nursing, Rachel Burt, said the event was a great opportunity to support ākonga to get the latest on what’s happening on the ground at the start of their careers.

“These events continue to grow, and we are delighted that so many representatives from such a diverse range of providers were able to come and speak directly to ākonga who are actively looking at their options,” Burt said.

_{Millie Righton (left) and Kaiya Ford found the event interesting and helpful}

Kaiya Ford, in her last semester of a Bachelor or of Nursing left armed with brochures and fresh ideas. “It’s really helped me gain knowledge about settings in the private sector that I haven’t had much to do with during my placements. It’s definitely given me more to consider,” she said.

Another student at the same stage of study, Millie Righton, agreed. “It’s given me a chance to broaden my knowledge not only in terms of workplaces but the fact that some are prepared to help fund further study. That’s particularly appealing to me as I’d like to continue my learning.”

Another third-year student, Greer Wilford, said her eyes had been opened to nursing in other centres. “It’s been really interesting to hear about opportunities I hadn’t thought of, especially outside of Christchurch like in Timaru or on the West Coast.”

“I’ve definitely become more open to what is out there, and I’ve also picked up some ideas for some summer contract work so the fair has covered a lot.”

Learning and Development representative for Southern Cross, Nadeane Spriggs, said she’d attended the event for several years and it was the busiest she’d experienced.

“We’ve had Enrolled nurses and Registered nurses all approaching us to find out about our new graduate programme at Southern Cross,” she said. “There were lots of questions around the opportunities and benefits we can provide, such as our ongoing professional development support and wellbeing initiatives.” 

“In addition to offering information about positions at Southern Cross Christchurch and the Southern Endoscopy Centre, our national Nurse Entry to Practice coordinator was on hand to discuss opportunities at our organisation’s 15 hospitals and specialist centres as well as ongoing career pathways in our organisation.”

_{Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast’s Kate Benner and Stephanie MacRrae}

Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast was represented by Kate Benner and Stephanie MacRrae from their Nurse Educator Workforce Development team. Both agreed it had been well worthwhile.

“There has been a high level of interest in what we have to offer on the West Coast,” Benner said.

“What sets us apart is that our nurses can work in the ‘rural generalist’ space which can be very advantageous, especially if they want to develop their career pathway after getting some experience under their belts.”

“As a rural generalist you quickly build foundation skills which can lead to all sorts of pathways,” MacRae added. “In bigger centres you can find yourself dedicated to a single specialist unit, but we can offer experience in a range of surgical and specialist settings, so it is great for breadth of experience.”

Meanwhile preparations are well underway to welcome the first August intake of nurses at Ara |Te Pūkenga with applications open until mid-week.

To find out more about nursing at Ara go to Bachelor of Nursing - Ara