Queensland’s Nurses Union says only a fifth of nursing graduates can expect to get placement next year.

QNU secretary Beth Mohle said that while the state’s own modelling suggests the health department require an additional 6000 nurses by 2015, only 500 will be offered work next year.

Even as health services expand across the state to cater for the ageing population, large numbers of nurses and midwives are preparing to retire. The shortfall will impact on all services, including aged care.

Ms Mohle said jobs in the private sector in 2013 would not come close to covering the remaining 2000 new nursing and midwifery graduates in Queensland seeking employment.

"We're in a ridiculous situation,” said Ms Mohle. “In a couple of years' time, Queensland Health is going to have to bring nurses and midwives in from overseas and there's no need because we've grown our own already."