New enrolled nursing programme

A new enrolled nursing programme is kicking off at WITT Te Pūkenga in July this year which will help to address the national shortage of Registered Nurses.

 “The Director of Nursing at Te Whatu Ora in Taranaki reached out and asked us to run an enrolled nursing programme and there’s good interest from other members of the local advisory group we work with to place our students,” says WITT Te Pūkenga Deputy Director Helen Lelean.

The New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5) is an 18-month programme that equips learners with the theory and clinical nursing practice required to apply for registration as an enrolled nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

The standardised national programme will be taught by the same Nursing Lecturers who teach in the degree programme and it has 900 hours of clinical placement in aged residential care, acute care (hospitals), mental health and in the community. The qualification is also recognised internationally.

“Enrolled nurses work under the direction and delegation of a Registered Nurse within a team made up of  Healthcare Assistants and Registered Nurses in hospitals and other healthcare settings,” says Helen.

Requirements to enter the programme are NCEA Level 2 which must include 12 credits in Level 1 Mathematics, New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3), health pathway, or an equivalent.

“This qualification is going to appeal to people who want to train quickly to enter the workforce and want to minimise the cost of study, as they will only have to pay half a year of fees if they are studying for the first time and get their first year free.”

“It will also be a good step up for Healthcare Assistants who would like to grow their knowledge and skills and widen their career opportunities.”