Experienced Nurse Pathway – Mental Health Nursing Permanent Pool

Hillmorton Hospital, Christchurch
3+ years Registered nursing experience
A passion for mental health

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

We are seeking interest from passionate and motivated nurses who are keen to learn and develop skills in mental health to work on the SMHS Permanent Pool.


Do you have 3+ years of registered nursing experience in other areas of health?
Do you have a passion for mental health, as well as having scope to work in this area?
Are you flexible and able to adapt to different areas of mental health care?
This is a fantastic training programme within mental health services!
Full-time positions are available
About the Role

We are currently recruiting Registered Nurses who are passionate about moving into employment with Specialist Mental Health Services (SMHS). The Mental Health - Experienced Nurse Programme provides Registered Nurses with the opportunity to learn, develop and grow within SMHS over six-months, while being employed on the SMHS Permanent Pool.

On the programme you will have dedicated preceptorship, educator support, group supervision, participate in focused mental health education days and work across all inpatient areas within SMHS.


Building on your previous experience, you will utilise your nursing knowledge and skills and develop specialist mental health skills to provide safe and effective nursing care to consumers with complex mental health needs. On the SMHS Permanent Pool, you will be providing cover across inpatient services; including acute adult admitting units, high/complex needs services, intellectual disabilities, forensics, specialty services - Mothers and Babies, Eating Disorders, ******* and Drug, and child and youth services.


Upon completion of the programme, you will work across the inpatient services. We are looking for individuals who are enthusiastic, motivated, and who can engage a wide variety of people, including whanau and community, across all our clinical settings.


Recruitment Process

Screening will take place the week of the 28th April 2025
Panel interview will take place the week of the 5th May 2025
Successful applicants must be available to start on 3rd June 2025

About you - Skills and experience required

3 years minimum experience as a Registered Nurse in non-mental health settings
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability create and maintain therapeutic relationships
Compassion and ability to reflect on practice
Commitment to working within the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
An understanding of Te ao Maori
Excellent communication and time management skills, and able to work effectively as part of the multidisciplinary team
Computer skills are essential to this role
What’s in it for you

This programme will provide:

Support of clinically based preceptors and mentors
Nurse Educator support
Dedicated, paid study days to support your knowledge and practice development
Group supervision

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.


How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal by 11.5+pm Sunday 27th April 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Natalie Gaunt at natalie.gaunt@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.



Position description

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