The Otago District Health Board yesterday recognised the achievements of registered nurses graduating from a new extension programme, which it hopes will help retain nurses and attract new staff.
Dunedin Hospital issued a ‘‘code black alert'' earlier this week as it struggled to cope with nursing shortages.
The 24 registered nurses were the first group to complete the Otago District Health Board's new Nursing Entry to Practice Programme.
Programme co-ordinator Sandy Presland said the ceremony, at which graduates were presented with commemorative medals, was designed to show the health board appreciated the nurses dedication to postgraduate training.
‘‘Obviously, if students feel good about their achievements they will consider staying to work or returning later,'' Mrs Presland said.
‘‘But that was not the primary aim. In the past nurses graduated and were just popped into wards and forgotten about. Now the emphasis is on staff development.''
‘‘From the nursing executive to charge nurses - in the last 10 years the hospital has made more of an effort to celebrate their achievements,'' she said.
In a release yesterday, the health board said it was excited that about 80% of the graduates had decided to work at Dunedin Hospital for the remainder of the year.
The programme was designed to help newly qualified registered nurses feel more confident, and to support staff. The initiative would also help attract staff, which was ‘‘essential when there is a national and international shortage of nurses.''
While most programme graduates would work in the hospital, others were to be placed in community health services.
The course, which started five years ago, gained Nursing Council of New Zealand accreditation after being revamped in late 2006.
The medal that graduates received was created using a die struck in 1953, and was similar to one previously presented to registered nurses who were completing their first year working at Dunedin Hospital following training.
Graduate Blair Scurr (26) said that while he may travel to Australia to find work, he intended to return to New Zealand longterm.
Programme graduate Trish Hoskin said course study days had helped with her confidence when dealing with potentially difficult nursing scenarios.
