About the Tairawhiti Nurse entry to Practice (NeT-P) Programme

Download the 2010 Handbook 

Introduction

Kia ora, congratulations on your success and welcome to the Tairawhiti District Health (TDH) Nurse Entry to Practice Programme. Tairawhiti District Health Board is committed to supporting your first year of practice and recognises the challenge in the year ahead as you experience the transition from novice to competent practitioner.

We endeavour to provide a learning experience that will enable you to consolidate your nurse registration. This will involve developing both your clinical practice skills and decision making skills culminating in you being assessed as a competent registered nurse.

This handbook should be used as a helpful guide and resource to the programme. Continuous audit will help us deliver a quality programme. TDH therefore welcomes any comments you may have regarding this resource and course content.

Aim of the Programme
Programme Philosophy
First Year Programme Objectives
Programme Structure and Assessment
Clinical Practice
Study Days

Aim of the Programme

This programme aims to provide a supportive learning environment where theoretical knowledge and clinical skills can be integrated and consolidated.

It is an intensive learning time. Confidence and competence will be nurtured within the practice setting and the application of knowledge and skills will aid development as a Registered Nurse.

Programme Philosophy

The first year of practice marks the transition from student to professional registered nurse. Tairawhiti District Health recognises the importance of this year in the vital development of a professional nursing workforce. The key drivers behind this programme are:

• To enable nurse graduates to practice safely, effectively and competently as registered nurses.

• To improve the quality of care via the acquisition of skill competencies at this level.

• To have a positive impact on the local and national nursing workforce.

First Year Programme Objectives

The graduate nurse, on completion of this programme, will:

• Apply knowledge and skills to their nursing care whilst practising safely and competently.
• Promote and demonstrate effective teamwork.
• Accept responsibility and accountability for actions and inactions.
• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Demonstrate professional behaviour.
• Submit a portfolio as evidence of competence to progress from the level of beginner to the level of competent registered nurse.

The purpose of the Professional Development & Recognition Programme is to provide a competency based assessment process which allows nurses to progress through their career, following a structured and recognised pathway at their own pace. You will commence the graduate programme as New Graduate Registered Nurse, and will present evidence to be assessed to progress to Competent Registered Nurse by the end of your ten month programme.

Remember, repetitive practice leads to practice wisdom, so gain as much experience as you can to apply your theory to practice.

Programme Structure and Assessment

The programme is approved by Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) as a Nurse Entry To Practice (NETP) programme and is designed to support the transition from new graduate Registered Nurse to Competent Registered Nurse (Appendix 1). Whilst participants of the course will be working in specific clinical areas this course aims to underpin theoretical knowledge and concepts required for the development of sound clinical practice. Where possible problem solving methods will be used to explore and reflect on case scenarios covering a range of practice settings and thus develop a broad base of practice experiences.

The programme will be completed over a ten month period and has several requirements which each course participant will need to achieve in order to successfully complete the programme. On successful completion of the programme TDH will award a certificate of achievement. Specific requirements of the programme are detailed below:

Clinical Practice

• Complete one ten month clinical placement in a practice setting. You will be asked to give a preference for your placement and this will be taken into account when allocating places. However, the programme coordinator in liaison with the Director of Nursing will ultimately allocate placements according to availability.

• Complete area specific competencies

• Basic IV Certification (as applicable)

Study Days

Mandatory attendance is required at the following

• Pohiri plus a four day orientation period
• Eleven further study days which will be organised throughout the ten month period. (these include CORE training Level 4, Tikanga Best Practice and Te Kete Kawerua)

N.B: Absence from either of the above will need authorisation. In the event of you being unable to attend any of the above you should inform both your Clinical Nurse Manager (or equivalent) and the Programme Coordinator. It is your responsibility to seek out any information you may have missed in the course of your absence.

Professional Development and Assessment Process:

Your performance will be assessed throughout the ten month period. Feedback is crucial to the development process and remember: practice makes perfect! To be awarded a certificate from Tairawhiti District Health you will:

• Complete the ten month course. All absence will be monitored.

• Work within your Scope of Practice and within the policies and procedures of TDH

• Share a workload with your preceptor for a total of six weeks. This is the period of the course when you are supernumerary.

• Complete 16 hours of development sessions with you preceptor or designated other.

• Submit two exemplars – one at three months and one at seven months*

• Undertake a health promotion or quality improvement project.

• Present your project to an invited audience.

• Prepare a Professional Development and Recognition Programme portfolio (using Northern District Regional template) which you will submit for assessment against the criteria for Competent Registered Nurse as determined by the NCNZ*

• Undertake self assessments prior to clinical appraisals

• Receive two clinical appraisals*

* will be subject to assessment by the Programme Coordinator and /or PDRP assessors.

Tairawhiti DHB will, in return, provide:

• A ten month fixed term contract of employment.

• Preceptorship during clinical placements, throughout the programme.

• Organise and facilitate attendance at study days.

• Performance reviews as stated.

NETP Programme 2009 Study Day

Date: Thursday 15th October 2009
Time & Venue: 8.30am Conference Room