Recruitment day for nurses a success

They call Waikato District Health Board’s annual nurse recruitment day for graduate nurse applicants, an easy sell.

It’s easy to see why.

More than 105 applicants attended the day at Waikato Hospital this week where they underwent short 20-minute interviews aimed at helping DHB staff get to know them.

Then the nurse graduates got the opportunity to meet both senior nurses and current graduates working within the DHB to see which area might suit them best if they get a job at Waikato.

Waikato DHB nurse entry to practice programme co-ordinator Megan Abraham said the day was unique.

“There were two sessions with 20 senior nurses participating,” she said.

The sessions broke into three groups. While one group went through the interview process, the other two groups mixed and mingled with staff from the clinical areas to display their specialties with displays.

“The concept behind the recruitment day is that as much as the applicants sell themselves to us we sell the DHB to them, knowing they leave with a feeling of wanting to come to Waikato DHB.

“Also as many of them have had limited interview experience it is a way of making the day more relaxing and informal,” said Mrs Abraham.

Those that were unable to attend the day have the opportunity for a phone interview. From the 114 interviewed approximately 65 will get jobs at the DHB.

Waikato DHB director of nursing and midwifery Sue Hayward said the senior nurses enjoyed the day as it gave them the opportunity to meet and interact with potential new staff.

“As the interviewing is quite fast many feel like they have had a speed dating experience which adds to the enjoyment of the day.

“What’s been wonderful is the number of student nurses coming along to be interviewed who clearly can see that there has been no better time than now to enter the profession as it provides the foundation for many career options.

“Nursing gives individuals the chance to be involved in a unique relationship with patients and families and to make a difference to health outcomes. The education nurses get means they develop a unique body of knowledge that combines skills and caring everyday,” said Mrs Hayward.

Any person interested in pursuing nursing and midwifery as a career can either go to our website for further information or the local school of nursing such as Wintec, or if still at school, they should contact their careers advisors.

Pictures available - Nurse Graduate Open Day 2009

Date: 1 October 2009


Contact:

Mary Anne Gill
Director
Media and Communications
Waikato District Health Board
Ph: 07 834 3684
Fax: 07 839 8680
Mobile: 021 705 213