Growing the primary and community nursing workforce

Te Whatu Ora is pleased to share three new funding opportunities to grow and support the primary and community care nursing workforce. The initiatives are part of the Government’s investment announced by the Minister of Health in May to strengthen the primary and community sector across Aotearoa.  

Primary and community care nurses are the backbone of our health system. They deliver care that’s local, personal and essential. They are key to improving access to health services. Working in the primary and community sector is a rewarding, dynamic career path for nurses, offering the chance to build long-term relationships, lead innovation, and work at the heart of people’s communities. 

These new funding opportunities aim to: 

• support new nurses to start their careers in the community
• grow the pipeline of nurse practitioners
• increase access to prescribing and advanced nursing care. 

Graduate registered nurse funding – applications open now

Funding is available to support the employment of up to 400 graduate registered nurses (RNs) in the primary and community sector. 

• $15,000 per urban registered nurse.
• $20,000 per rural registered nurse.
• Employers must offer preceptorship and a supported first year of practice.
• Graduates must be new RNs with less than 3 months’ experience.
• Open to general practice, aged care (excluding retirement villages only), home and community support, Māori and Pacific providers, and other parts of this sector.
• Only one eligibility form per employer is required. 

Graduate RNs can bring fresh energy and new ideas in clinical practice. If you are looking to employ or, have recently employed a graduate RN (RNs must not have been employed for more than 90 days), Te Whatu Ora encourage you to take up this opportunity and apply.  

Apply now or learn more on Te Whatu Ora's website. 

Pinnacle is committed to supporting both new graduate nurses and the practices that employ them, read the Pinnacle New Graduate Nurse Programme 2025 update on our website.

Nurse practitioner training – Expressions of interest now open

Te Whatu Ora is now taking expressions of interest (EOIs) from registered nurses working in the primary and community sector who are interested in becoming nurse practitioners. 

• 120 funded places for nurse practitioner training and training support in the primary and community sector. EOIs open 31 July to 31 August 2025.
• Funded pathway with wraparound support for you while in training.
• Support for your employer to support your training.
• An application process for eligible candidates will follow the EOI process. 

Learn more or submit an EOI.

Registered Nurse Primary Care Scholarships – opening soon

These scholarships support registered nurses working in primary and community care to undertake advanced postgraduate study, including prescribing and advanced practice qualifications. 

• Scholarships up to $45,000 per registered nurse.
• Covers tuition, travel, study costs, and backfilling.
• Includes registered nurse and employer incentives.
• 120 scholarships available.
• Applications open 29 August to 30 September 2025.
• For regiatered nurses in general practice, aged care, rural and community services, Māori and Pacific providers, and more.

Te Whatu Ora will share application details soon. 

For more information

If you have any pātai (questions) please contact Te Whatu Ora's workforce team.