Registered Nurse- Surgical

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand; Timaru; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – South Canterbury is seeking a motivated Registered Nurse to join the Timaru Hospital Surgical Ward on a permanent 0.9 FTE basis. You will provide safe, patient-focused nursing care alongside a multidisciplinary team, supporting positive patient and whānau outcomes.

You will care for patients throughout their surgical journey, applying evidence-based practices, and contributing to quality improvements within Surgical Services.

Qualifications

• Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• A minimum of 12 months' post-graduate nursing experience.
• Demonstrated competency in surgical nursing practice.
• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative approach to working within multidisciplinary teams.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure and prioritise workload accordingly.
• A commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous quality improvement.
• A positive, flexible, and solution-focused approach.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving equitable health outcomes for Māori.
• Previous experience working within a surgical ward environment.
• Membership of a relevant professional nursing body.
• Experience supporting quality improvement initiatives and professional development activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe, patient-focused nursing care within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Care for patients throughout their surgical journey, applying evidence-based practice.
• Contribute to quality initiatives and service improvements within Surgical Services.

Skills

Post-graduate nursing experience

Surgical nursing practice

Clinical assessment and decision‑makin

Communication and interpersonal skills

Teamwork within multidisciplinary team

Under pressure prioritisation

Evidence‑based practice

Te Tiriti o Waitangi equity commitment

Surgical ward experience

Professional nursing body membership

Education

Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and APC

Job description

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – South Canterbury

Timaru Hospital

Permanent 0.9 FTE (72 hours per fortnight)

Surgical Services

Provide High-Quality Care and Make a Difference for Patients and Whānau

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and compassionate Registered Nurse to join our Surgical Ward team at Timaru Hospital on a permanent 0.9 FTE basis.

As a Registered Nurse, you will provide safe, contemporary, patient-focused nursing care within a supportive multidisciplinary environment. Working alongside Enrolled Nurses, Health Care Assistants, Allied Health professionals, and medical staff, you will play an important role in delivering high-quality care and supporting positive outcomes for patients and whānau.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will care for patients throughout their surgical journey, applying evidence-based practice, building strong therapeutic relationships, and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement. You will be supported to further develop your clinical skills while contributing to quality initiatives and service improvements within Surgical Services.

About the Team / Service / Location

Surgical Services at Timaru Hospital provides care to a diverse range of patients from across South Canterbury. You'll join a collaborative and supportive team environment where patient-centred care, professional development, and teamwork are highly valued.

Based in the heart of South Canterbury, Timaru offers an outstanding lifestyle with affordable living, excellent schools, short commute times, and easy access to beaches, lakes, mountains, skiing, hiking, and cycling. It's the perfect place to enjoy a rewarding nursing career while maintaining genuine work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and a current Annual Practising Certificate
• A minimum of 12 months' post-graduate nursing experience
• Demonstrated competency in surgical nursing practice
• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A collaborative approach to working within multidisciplinary teams
• The ability to work effectively under pressure and prioritise workload accordingly
• A commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous quality improvement
• A positive, flexible, and solution-focused approach
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving equitable health outcomes for Māori
• Previous experience working within a surgical ward environment
• Membership of a relevant professional nursing body
• Experience supporting quality improvement initiatives and professional development activities

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellness'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

Salary Range

This role is covered by the terms and conditions of the relevant collective agreement and salary will be in accordance with the applicable pay scale and dependent on experience.

Job details

Job Reference:

Job Reference: 1257

Location:

South Island - Canterbury - Timaru and South Canterbury