Registered Nurse, Casual - Enhanced Post-Operative Unit

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 69,000; Part time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is seeking a registered nurse for a casual position in the Enhanced Post-Operative Unit (EPOU) at Waikato Hospital. The unit provides 48-hour postoperative care for high-risk surgical patients, 24/7 operations with rotating shifts including nights and weekends.

The successful applicant will cover staff leave and assist with rostering, bringing surgical or critical care experience, strong postoperative management skills, and a proactive approach to change within

Qualifications

• 4 years nursing experience.
• Surgical or critical care experience.
• Post-operative management knowledge including PSIMS.
• IV opioid and respiratory management skills.
• Experience leading change.
• Demonstrates adaptability and engagement.
• Desire to enable positive change within practice.

Responsibilities

• Cover staff leave on a casual basis and support rostering.
• Provide care for high-risk post-operative patients in the EPOU.
• Deliver care 24/7 in the eight-bedded post-operative unit.
• Contribute to implementing changes in clinical practice.

Skills

RN experience

Surgical care

Post-op care

IV opioids

Respiratory mgmt

Change leadership

Adaptability

Education

RN qualification

Job description

Registered Nurse, Casual - Enhanced Post-Operative Unit

• Casual position
• Rostered, rotating shifts includes nights and weekends
• Be part of an expanding and developing unit caring for high-risk post-surgery patients

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.

About the Role

We are looking for a casual RN to cover staff leave and support the staff roster where needed. The EPOU (Enhanced Post-Operative Unit) has expanded into an eight bedded area running 24/7, following on from a pilot recently undertaken. The EPOU provides care for any surgical speciality patient following surgery who is assessed as high-risk post anaesthetics and based upon the type of surgical procedure. The EPOU is designed to provide higher level of nursing care and medical interventions for the first 48 hours post-surgery to enable positive patient outcomes.

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team/Service

EPOU is located on the Waikato Hospital main campus in a newly refurbished unit. The unit is designed for patients who are not critically ill but require a closely monitored post-recovery stay to receive timely interventions based upon best medical practice and assessments made during the perioperative, intraoperative and postoperative stages.

About you

We are looking for a passionate, energetic registered nurse who has surgical, postoperative care unit, and/or critical care experience.

If you are an experienced registered nurse who is flexible, enjoys change, and wants to support a new dynamic team leading change within the health care setting, wed love to hear from you.

Skills and experience required:

• > 4 years nursing experience
• Surgical or critical care experience
• Post-operative management knowledge inclusive of PSIMS
• IV opioid and respiratory management and skill set
• Experience leading change
• Can demonstrate adaptability and engagement
• A desire to enable positive change within practice

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.

All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59 pm on Monday, 26 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kendra Corey at [e-mail]

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