Tenders called for nursing clinical practice pilot

Media Release

16 October 2001

Tenders called for pilot programme for first year of nursing clinical practice

Tenders have been called to set up pilot programmes within New Zealand to improve the support offered to new graduate nurses in clinical practice and to assist in development of the nursing workforce.

The programmes, which will be trialed within a number of District Health Boards in 2002, are intended to support new graduates within the pilot programme during their first year of clinical practice.

Deputy Director-General Personal and Family Health David Lambie said the pilot programmes should also assist with the retention of new graduate nurses.

"Attracting people to the workforce is one issue, but providing them with the support systems to assist their professional development is another.

"This pilot programme recognises that during the first year of nursing clinical practice new graduates need an environment which allows them to ground their teaching and learning in practice experience. This requires a process which develops confidence and effectiveness in their nursing practice, independence in clinical reasoning, decision making and acceptance of the responsibility of the registered nurse."

"The programme will allow new graduates to have enhanced support and a reduced clinical workload to enable them to develop the specific knowledge and skills required of a beginning practitioner role."

The pilot programmes are expected to begin early in 2002 and will be evaluated at the end of the pilot year.

Tenders close on Wednesday 14 November 2001.

For more information contact: Selina Gentry, Media Advisor, ph: 04-496-2483 or 025-277 5411 http://www.moh.govt.nz/media.html

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