Hospital procedures are impacted by Covid-19. Find out more here.

Hospital procedures are impacted by Covid-19. Find out more here.

Nurse Entry To Practice (NETP) programme


NETP at Southern Cross Healthcare

The Southern Cross Healthcare NETP programme gives nursing graduates the opportunity to consolidate and enhance their learning with the support of qualified preceptors in a private surgical setting.

Our standardised learning programme is co-ordinated nationally, and delivered across our network for both mid-year and end of year intakes. Placements can be across our network of hospitals, from Southern Cross hospitals to private hospitals nationwide who we have joint venture relationships with.

Kristen from Southern Cross North Harbour Hospital


Semester 1, 2025

The intake for NETP positions for semester 1, 2025 have closed. Hospitals across our network accepting NETP grads in semester 1, 2025 are:

Auckland region

Southern Cross Brightside Hospital

Southern Cross Gilles Hospital

Southern Cross North Harbour Hospital

North Shore Surgical Centre (a joint venture hospital)

Ormiston Hospital (a joint venture hospital)

Midland region

Southern Cross Hamilton Hospital

Southern Cross Rotorua Hospital

Grace Hospital, Tauranga (a joint venture hospital)

New Plymouth

Southern Cross New Plymouth Hospital

Central Region

Southern Cross Wellington Hospital

Manuka Street, Nelson (a joint venture hospital)

Southern Region

Southern Cross Christchurch Hospital

Southern Cross Invercargill Hospital

Mid-year intake, 2025

In early March 2025, we expect to announce which of our hospitals will have NETP positions available to nursing graduates for the mid-year 2025 intake.

Emily, Southern Cross New Plymouth Hospital
Emily, Southern Cross New Plymouth Hospital

6 reasons to choose Southern Cross Healthcare for NETP

  1. Each Southern Cross nursing graduate is assigned at least two qualified Preceptors - experienced registered nurses and mentors who offer pastoral care and a safe place to talk.
  2. Southern Cross graduates are supported until they indicate they are ready to independently complete tasks. As graduates develop confidence and competence, their workload and scope of practice gradually increase.
  3. New Southern Cross graduates develop their registered nurse practice primarily through experience in PACU, day surgery, theatre and the ward.
  4. Southern Cross Healthcare is a not for profit and invests significantly in its employees. Preceptor qualifications and graduate/post graduate papers are funded by Southern Cross and new graduate workloads accommodate for study time.
  5. Southern Cross Healthcare has been recognised as a great place for undergraduate nurses. Find out more >
  6. Southern Cross Healthcare has launched Perioperative Training for nurses new to working in operating theatres. Find out more >


Southern Cross Nursing Scholarships

Southern Cross Nursing Scholarships

The Southern Cross Health Trust is comitted to supporting and growing the nursing workforce. In partnership with AUT, we have launched a new scholarship programme to alleviate common challenges nursing students face, including financial strain and wellbeing concerns. AUT's excellent reputation, robust student support systems, and close ties to Southern Cross hospitals make it the ideal partner for this pilot initiative.

View the criteria for the Southern Cross
Nursing Scholarships at AUT >

Southern Cross Nursing Scholarships
Alex, Ward Nurse at Southern Cross North Harbour Hospital
Alex, Ward Nurse at Southern Cross North Harbour Hospital

Meet Alex, from NETP grad to preceptor

Alex is one of our ward nurses who completed the Southern Cross NETP programme. Alex not only shines at Southern Cross North Harbour Hospital but also competes at international level in ice hockey. Only 18 months after starting with us as a new grad, Alex is paying it forward and training as a new grad preceptor.

Read Alex’s story >

Alex, Ward Nurse at Southern Cross North Harbour Hospital
Alex, Ward Nurse at Southern Cross North Harbour Hospital