The Registered Nurses Union says a recent meeting with soon-to-be nursing grads has highlighted a stark difference between what government says is being offered to graduates, versus what they’re actually getting.

RNU Vice-President Kim Parsons made a presentation to what they call a “frustrated” group of fourth-year nursing students at the Centre for Nursing Studies on Friday. The union says of the 121 students in the class, only three have been given job offers.

They contend that is a stark contrast from government messaging that over 90 per cent of nursing grads have been hired.

As well, they say no students have been offered the rural incentives that have been touted by government.

The RNU also details a story from a student about the attitudes they have encountered from recruiters.

They say a student was told by a Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services manager in central that “he prefers hiring private agency nurses because they are easier to make happy.” More concerning than that, continues the RNU, is that the manager is said to have admitted to not posting available positions online, because “it is simpler for him to bring in agency nurses.”

Parsons says students are eager to work in the province, but are being “dismissed and overlooked by recruiters.” Parsons calls the situation “outrageous” and says it needs to be changed immediately.