Certificate programme values nurses in practice: the graduate certificate programme at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology has found a niche market as it continues to attract students from throughout the country.(EDUCATION)

Publication: Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand

Publication Date: 01-SEP-06

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COPYRIGHT 2006 New Zealand Nurses' Organisation

For the past six years, the Faculty of Health and Sciences at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology has been running a highly successful graduate certificate programme for registered nurses (RNs). Originally a graduate certificate in speciality nursing, comprising eight courses worth 20 credits each, the programme was developed into a graduate certificate in nursing practice in 2002. This was in response to nurses' requests for shorter, more varied papers.

This year, around 900 are enrolled in one or more of over 50 level 7 courses currently available, with nurses travelling from throughout the South Island and even further north to Daphne Manderson attend. The programme involves part-time study of 600 hours, comprising study days (between three and six days for each course) held at the faculty or sometimes Christchurch Hospital, plus independent learning and course work. Most students will complete the programme in three to four years, though it can...

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