The Graduate Nursing Workforce: Does an International Perspective have Relevance for New Zealand?(Report‪)‬

Introduction In recent years there has been a return to nursing workforce planning both nationally and internationally (Buchan & Calman, 2004; Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ), 2009; International Council of Nurses (ICN), 2008; Ministry of Health (MOH), 2005, 2006a, 2006b, 2009; Oulton, 2006). This development reflects two key issues. Firstly, although nursing numbers are the largest in the health workforce future nursing shortages are anticipated as the population ages (Buchan & Calman, 2004; ICN, 2008; MOH, 2009; Segal & Bolton, 2009). Secondly, there is increasing recognition that nurses have the potential to be the key health professional in the implementation of health strategies for the 21st century with its double demand to promote health and manage chronic illness (Buchan & Calman, 2004). Together these issues point to the need for governmental support for workforce development to ensure there are sufficient qualified nurses to realise this potential.