Concern from a nursing educator -- about students being brought in to cover hospital staffing shortages

Dunedin Hospital has been facing criticism for calling in 21 students to help out due to a critical shortage of nursing staff.

The group of first to third year students and enrolled nurse graduates were paid in supermarket vouchers.

Massey University School of Nursing Professor Jenny Carryer says it would be a highly pressurised situation, particularly for first-year students.

She says it could be a powerful learning experience - but it puts students and patients at risk.