One-on-one coaching, accommodation support and a wider range of job choices for new graduates has resulted in record numbers of new nurses and midwives for the region.
Yearly intakes over the past 17 years have ranged from seven to 21 new graduates, however, this year the region opened up more roles than usual, employing 34 graduate nurses.
Timaru Hospital has also welcomed three graduate midwives to its maternity service, the first intake in a number of years.
Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora interim director nursing and midwifery for South Canterbury Anna Wheeler said the decision to have such a large cohort this year was part of the effort to address workforce shortages and support the talent pipeline.
"It takes everybody across the system from rural health, primary and secondary care to provide local placements.
"A lot of work has gone into challenging the status quo over recent years, opening up graduate positions in specialties such as emergency, paediatrics and intensive care where traditionally graduate positions have not been available," Ms Wheeler said.
Support to relocate to South Canterbury has also become an important part of the offering to attract talent, with local accommodation providers offering their available properties to new graduates for rent first, before taking them to market.
New nursing graduate Abby Taylor had a graduate position in endoscopy and loved the supportive team she worked in.
Miss Taylor felt no question was a silly question.
"I enjoy the study days offered here to help build on what I already know."
Ms Wheeler said the surge in graduates had been supported by senior clinicians who had been undergoing additional preceptor training and taken on roles as mentors.
