Registered Nurse - Mental Health & Addictions

• Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Whanganui District

• Mental Health and Addictions, Stanford House

• 2 roles, Permanent Full Time - rostered and rotating shifts

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

Stanford House is part of the Central Regional Forensic Mental Health and Addiction Service and is widely recognised as a progressive, creative, and innovative service. We are currently seeking a skilled, team-focused Registered Nurse to join our close-knit and supportive team.

This is a rewarding opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary, recovery-focused service that delivers comprehensive assessment, treatment, and recovery support for adult inpatients. In this role, you will provide high-quality, evidence-based care and therapeutic interventions, contributing to meaningful and measurable outcomes for tāngata whaiora (residents) and their whānau.

Your focus will be on delivering practical mental health recovery support, grounded in respect, compassion, and professionalism. Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach are essential, as is a commitment to supporting people through their recovery journey.

Stanford House is a 15-bed forensic inpatient unit for adult males experiencing significant mental health challenges. Our dedicated team is passionate about delivering excellent care in partnership with individuals and their families.

About the Team/Service/ Location

Stanford House is a specialist 15-bed forensic inpatient unit based in Whanganui, providing care for adult males with significant mental health challenges within the context of the justice system. We are part of the Central Regional Forensic Mental Health and Addiction Service, which serves a large geographical area across the lower North Island.

Our multidisciplinary team is passionate about delivering high-quality, recovery-oriented care in a secure environment. We work collaboratively with residents, their whānau, and key stakeholders to support individual wellbeing and positive outcomes. Our service is known for being progressive, innovative, and creative in its approach to forensic mental health care.

Whanganui offers a great lifestyle with a strong sense of community, beautiful river and coastal views, and a more relaxed pace of life—perfect for those wanting a healthy work-life balance while making a real difference in people's lives.

For more information on living and working in Whanganui, click here

About you

You will bring a compassionate and empathetic approach, with a strong understanding of the challenges faced by people with lived experience of mental illness. You're someone who genuinely wants to make a difference, and you'll have the ability to build trusting, respectful relationships with tāngata whaiora and their whānau.

Ideally, you will bring:

• A current New Zealand Registered Nursing qualification, with a commitment to ongoing professional development – training in forensic mental health is an advantage

• Previous experience in mental health settings and/or at least two years of general ward experience

• The confidence to work both independently and collaboratively, taking responsibility for your practice and making sound clinical decisions in complex situations

This is a role that will challenge and reward you in equal measure. If you're resilient, dedicated, and passionate about recovery-focused care, we'd love to hear from you

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.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 18th April 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Stacey at stacey.howes@wdhb.org.nz

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