A nursing recruiter says programmes for overseas trained nurses aren't enough for them to develop the necessary skills to work in New Zealand.

Canterbury nursing jobs have been listed stating overseas nurses who have just recently completed the competency assessment programme won't be accepted.

Gore Hospital recently had 80 international nurses apply for a job, but none had the needed experience.

Accent Health Recruiter Prudence Thomson says it takes a while for overseas nurses to understand our health system.

"They just need a lot of supervision and induction from senior staff, and there's not enough senior staff on hand to supervise."

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