Less than half of graduating nurses are getting hired by Health New Zealand.

New data reveals only 323 out of 722 mid-year graduates gained entry level jobs in hospitals.

The Nurses Organisation says that number used to be as high as 90 percent.

President of the National Student Unit, Bianca Grimmer, says it's forcing students into roles they're not exactly after.

"Nurses have a purpose and a 'why' for why they want to go into the workforce and where they want to work - and they're really stronger in the health system and those places that they're really passionate about." 

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