Who Are We
Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand | Waitaha Canterbury (formerly CDHB) administers funded scholarships via HWD (Health Workforce Directorate, formerly HWNZ) for postgraduate nursing certificates, diplomas and masters qualifications for nurses in the Canterbury Health System.
Each year approximately 200 Canterbury nurses are undertaking HWD funded postgraduate nursing courses.
Postgraduate Study
Postgraduate nursing study is designed to prepare nurses to meet the challenges of a changing Canterbury healthcare environment and to provide enhancement of individual nursing practice. It is a commitment to both personal and professional development.
Nurse Practitioner Training Program (NPTP)
Applications for the 2024 Nurse Practitioner Training Programme (NPTP) are now open, and will close on Monday, 4 September 2023.
Details of the NPTP can be found on the following link, along with the application form and eligibility for the Programme:
https://nurseworkforce.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/nptp/
The website contains a section that discusses "How to get Ready for the NPTP" and a self-audit clinical readiness tool that we strongly recommend is completed prior to application
Universities participating in the NPTP in 2024 are the University of Auckland, Massey University, University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and University of Waikato.
Nursing Workforce Postgraduate Funding
Funding is available for payment of University Fees, study release and for attendance at compulsory study blocks. There is also the ability to receive a subsidy for flights and accommodation costs where required by a course that is not offered locally (at the discretion of the relevant Director of Nursing).
Funding is not paid directly to the trainee.
Further information is available in the Funding Policy document:
Canterbury Nursing Workforce Postgraduate Funding 2023 Policy
Before applying please ensure that you meet the funding eligibility requirements:
- Te Whatu Ora and Pegasus nurses must have successfully completed PDRP (Te Whatu Ora designated senior nurses exempt).
- All applicants must be registered as a nurse or a nurse practitioner under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003)
- Hold a current annual practicing certificate (APC) with no restrictions on that APC that would negatively impact on their ability to participate in the programme.
- Be currently employed as a registered nurse by a health service that is funded by Te Whatu Ora or Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health)
- Be a New Zealand citizen or hold a New Zealand residency permit as conferred by the New Zealand Immigration Service
- Have evidence of support by their current employer to meet the training requirements
- Meet the entry criteria required by the education provider
The Nursing Workforce Postgraduate funding Training Specification document gives more information about eligibility:
HWNZ Postgraduate Nursing Training Specifications.doc
Applications for the 2024 academic year are now open. Please see the right side panel of this page.
There will not be a Sem 2 application round for 2023.
If you have any questions in relation to this, please contact the Postgrad Nursing Office at PostGraduateNursingOffice@cdhb.health.nz
Please note that Te Whatu Ora and Pegasus nurses applying for HWD funding to study postgraduate nursing education are required to have an endorsed PDRP (Professional Development Recognition Programme) portfolio at the time of application. Endorsement can be at competent, proficient or expert level. Te Whatu Ora nurses working in designated senior nursing roles are exempt from this.
Nurses considering applying for funding should ensure that portfolios are submitted in plenty of time for assessment, prior to applying for funding.
If you have any queries regarding your eligibility, or your intended study pathway, please contact the Postgrad Nursing Office: PostGraduateNursingOffice@cdhb.health.nz
Postgraduate Nursing Education Fair 2023
The purpose of the Fairs is to provide an overview of educational programmes offered at undergraduate and postgraduate level as well as highlighting what Nursing Workforce Postgraduate funding/study assistance is available. The Postgraduate Nursing Education Fair for 2023 will run at the following locations:
Monday August 7th: Burwood Hospital 1130 - 1330hrs
Tuesday August 8th: Christchurch Hospital 1330 - 1600hrs
Thursday August 10th: Hillmorton Hospital 1200 - 1400hrs
Thursday August 10th: Burwood Hospital 1600 - 1800hrs
Monday August 14th: Ashburton Hospital 1400 - 1600hrs
Wednesday August 16th: Manawa Campus 1400 - 1600hrs
Come along and meet our Education Providers & Te Whatu Ora's Postgraduate Nursing Office. Welcoming any and all Registered Nurses interested in Graduate or Postgraduate level education for 2024.
Career Planning
Career planning is the process of formulating career goals and identifying the steps and resources needed to achieve these goals. It is an on-going future-focussed professional pathway and not limited to specific jobs.
Short Term (1 year) career planning is centred on specific job skills and knowledge with short term goal setting.
Long Term (3-5 year) career planning is developmental and focussed on future interests and development intentions.
Career planning support is available from your line manager, nurse educator, senior nursing colleagues, Postgraduate Nursing Coordinator and mentors. It is important that formal discussions take place with your line manager regarding your career aspirations, strengths and development needs.
The following links may be useful:
Nursing Council Website- Nurse Practitioner
Nursing Council Website- Nurse Prescriber
Child Health Acceleration Programme (CHAP)
Applications for CHAP are now open.
The Child Health Accelerated Programme (CHAP) focuses on enhancing professional development for RNs working within Child Health in the Canterbury District Health Board by providing clinical experience through rotations to other clinical areas within child health, access to mentor support, the opportunity of postgraduate education and participation in PDRP.
Gerontology Acceleration Programme (GAP)
The Gerontology Acceleration Programme (GAP) commences mid-year and is a 12-month nursing acceleration programme which provides extended learning and experience for Registered Nurses working with our older adult population. This programme provides the opportunity for nurses to participate in clinical rotations which may include acute medical or surgical, older persons' health and aged residential care settings, in conjunction with postgraduate education to enhance participant's knowledge, skills and understanding of the older persons journey through the care continuum.
Applications are welcomed from any Registered Nurses who are working in acute care and older persons health and rehabilitation services, as well as those working in Aged Residential Care.
Potential applicants please discuss your application with your line manager first.
For any queries around this please contact: arcnursing@cdhb.health.nz
PG Forum
This group meets quarterly and is responsible for setting the strategic direction for postgraduate nursing education for the Waitaha Canterbury region. The group consists of representatives from Te Whatu Ora | Waitaha Canterbury, Tertiary Education providers, NGO organisations, and others involved in postgraduate nursing education.
Contact Us
Jacinda King
Nurse Manager
Jo Greenlees-Rae
Postgraduate Coordinator
Olivia Smith
Postgraduate Administrator
Any queries or concerns, please contact:
PostGraduateNursingOffice@cdhb.health.nz
The Postgraduate Nursing Education office is located at:
Manawa Building
Level 5
276 Antigua Street
Christchurch 8011