Diploma opens opportunities in health care

An enrolled nursing diploma qualification will start at Whanganui Ucol for the first time on August 1.
The new diploma means graduates can deliver nursing care and health education to people of all ages in a variety of settings working under the direction of a registered nurse.
The 15-month programme is designed for people who are interested in caregiving but who may be unable to undertake the three-year nursing degree.
Programme leader Lesley Baylis said the programme was in the final stages of detailed planning for the level 5 Enrolled Nurse Diploma.
The programme would prepare students for employment as enrolled nurses in all areas of practice including acute care, rehabilitation and mental health.
So far it has received enthusiastic support from the Whanganui District Health Board, local rest home providers and local iwi education organisation Te Puna Matauranga.
The Enrolled Nurse Diploma joins the popular Bachelor of Nursing programme already offered by Ucol. The school was thrilled to be able to increase the health qualifications on offer in Whanganui, Ms Baylis said.
The new programme would provide an excellent background into the knowledge and skills required to support the practice of nursing in a variety of institutions.
The programme includes 200 hours of simulated practice in the skills laboratory. The level 4 clinical placement also consists of 250 hours in a rest home placement.
This was where the support of local rest homes was vital for Ucol's students, Ms Baylis said.
Students under 20 years of age wishing to enrol in the new programme should have 36 NCEA level 2 credits, 12 level 1 mathematics, and 12 level 1 English credits. Students over 20 with no formal qualification would need to provide evidence of an ability to study at this level, Ms Baylis said.
Topics in the new programme include the Discipline of Nursing; Structure and Function of the Human Body; Social Sciences for Enrolled Nurses; Clinical Skills for Enrolled Nurses and Foundations for Enrolled Nurse Practice.
The clinical skills paper will train students in a variety of skills needed to care for patients in the clinical setting including: temperature, pulse and respiration measurement, mobility, personal hygiene, wound care and the storage and dispensing of medications.
The programme also includes 200 hours of simulated practice in the skills laboratory as part of the practical instruction.
Once they have successfully completed their qualifications, students will be able to take their place working in local health care supporting an important part of the sector, Ms Baylis says.