Nursing Qualifications in Demand

8 March 2013

Nursing Qualifications in Demand

A pilot qualification for health and rehabilitation offered by Waiariki Institute of Technology for the first time in Kawerau is proving popular.

The six-month National Certificate in Health, Disability, and Aged Support (Core Competencies) (Level 3) is for students who wish to work in a support role in the health industry.

The classes for the qualification will be taught at the Presbyterian Church in Kawerau central.

Waiariki’s School of Nursing and Health Studies administration manager Jonathon Hagger said interest had been strong and so far 26 enrolments had been received which confirms the demand and need for the training.

It is the first time the national certificate has been offered by Waiariki and depending on the pilot’s success it may be offered at other sites around the region in the future.

This pilot is being offered with zero fees which encourages and supports the Kawerau community.

Waiariki has had a long-standing place in health education in New Zealand with its flagship Bachelor of Nursing providing many nurses to the region and hopes are high for strong pass rates in 2013.

The nursing school works closely with the Lakes and Bay of Plenty district health boards and many other local health providers to ensure what they teach is relevant and required professionally.

Nursing is a high-demand vocation in New Zealand and regionally, and the feedback from the workforce is they are very interested in recruiting young nurses with an understanding and interest in Māori and Pasifika health for 2014 and beyond.

Meanwhile, Waiariki is also a partner in the new Rural Health Interprofessional Immersion Programme (RHIIP) to be officially launched by Minister of Health Tony Ryall and Minister Anne Tolley on Friday, March 8, at Whakatane Hospital.

The programme is based out of the clinical school at Whakatane, and is a partnership between Waiariki, Bay of Plenty District Health Board and Auckland University. It brings together students from a range of disciplines including nursing students, medical 5th and 6th year, pharmacy and physiotherapists.

In practical terms, students on practicum participate in the programme one day a week while on their four- to five-week practicum. There are opportunities for up to four Waiariki students to be involved in each group and Waiariki has a number of Bachelor of Nursing students who are doing this practicum component of their study as part of this initiative. Students get to work with a broad collaborative team of health professionals including doctors.

ENDS

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