Pinnacle New Graduate Nurse Programme
2027 update: Since 2008, the Pinnacle Graduate Registered Nurse Programme has supported general practices to successfully transition newly graduated nurses into primary care.
The programme provides professional development, peer support, and guidance throughout the nurse's first year of practice.
Supporting Graduate Nurses in Primary Care
Are you considering providing a graduate nurse with a supported opportunity to experience primary care in general practice?
Pinnacle is now inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from general practices across the Pinnacle network that are interested in employing a Graduate Registered Nurse (RN) as part of their team in 2027.
Employment opportunities through the national ACE (Advanced Choice of Employment) process will open on 1 August 2026. This is for those nurses sitting state final exams in November 2026 who will be looking for employment in 2027.
Please email nursing@pinnacle.health.nz with your EOI by 1 September 2026.
Support from Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
In 2025, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora introduced a national Supported First Year of Practice (SFYP) funding stream to support up to 400 graduate registered nurses working in primary care, community, and rural health settings.
Funding available for practices
Funding is available for eligible primary care employers recruiting graduate registered nurses:
$15,000 for urban employment opportunities
$20,000 for rural employment opportunities
🔗 Visit Te Whatu Ora's website for eligibility criteria and application information.
What this means for Pinnacle practices
Pinnacle remains committed to supporting graduate registered nurses throughout their first year of practice.
Practices employing a graduate nurse can access Pinnacle's free structured support programme, which includes:
Primary care-focused professional development workshops
Monthly peer support sessions for graduate nurses
Bi-monthly peer support sessions for preceptors
Guidance and support from the Pinnacle Nurse Lead team
We are currently developing the 2027 programme resources and education calendar, which will be shared with participating practices as they become available.
Our goal is to help practices provide a positive, well-supported first year of practice that encourages graduate nurses to build long-term careers in primary care.
Employing a graduate nurse outside the ACE process?
If your practice is recruiting a graduate nurse directly (outside the Health New Zealand ACE recruitment process) and is not receiving Health New Zealand primary and community sector graduate funding, please contact us to discuss what support options may be available.
More information and pātai
We recognise that every practice has different workforce needs and capacity.
If you would like to discuss employing a graduate nurse or learn more about the support available, please contact Pinnacle's nurse leads at nursing@pinnacle.health.nz