Nursing schools told to limit enrolments to 2025 levels

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has instructed nursing schools to limit student enrolments to 2025 levels for the 2027 year. This directive aims to ensure learners have access to safe, quality clinical placements. The TEC stated that clinical placement availability is the key rate-limiting step for further enrolments.

The decision has been met with criticism from academics and nursing educators who argue the move makes "no sense" given current workforce pressures. She noted that the commission had previously asked universities to grow their programmes before the message changed.

Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) has been working with the TEC to manage placement capacity. National chief nurse Nadine Gray stated that while the agency is working to boost capacity, providers should also look to primary care and aged residential care for placements. The TEC has indicated that enrolments may increase if providers can demonstrate available clinical capacity in their specific districts.

The directive comes during an election period where nursing staffing levels have become a significant issue. While the Labour Party is campaigning on a policy to guarantee jobs for nursing graduates, the cost of such a policy may increase if enrolments rise. The TEC has defended the move as a management tool rather than a cap.

How it developed

• Thu 15 Oct, 1:15pmTEC chief executive Tim Fowler clarified that the directive is a management tool rather than a cap on enrolment numbers.

Where reports differ

• The TEC describes the instruction as a management tool to ensure safe placements, while educators describe it as a cap that makes no sense given workforce shortages.

Compiled from reports by Stuff, Otago Daily Times, RNZ and Waikato Times.