Who Are We
Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Canterbury (formerly CDHB) administers funded scholarships for postgraduate nursing certificates, diplomas and masters qualifications for nurses in the Canterbury Health System.
Each year approximately 200 Canterbury nurses are undertaking nursing workforce postgraduate funded 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.
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.
If you have any queries please direct these to Rebecca Heyward, arcnursing@cdhb.health.nz
Nurse Practitioner Training Program (NPTP)
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
There is one funding round per year for the following academic year's study. Funding is available for payment of course registration fees, and a contribution towards study release and compulsory study blocks.
Funding is not paid directly to the trainee. Further information is available in the Funding Policy document below.
Before applying please ensure that you meet the funding eligibility requirements:
Health New Zealand and Pegasus Health nurses must have successfully completed PDRP (Health New Zealand designated senior nurses exempt).
All applicants must be registered as a nurse or a nurse practitioner under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003)
Work 0.5 FTE or greater
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 Health New Zealand.
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
Nursing Education Fairs
Every year, around August, the Postgraduate Nursing Education Office runs Education Fairs with Tertiary Education Providers 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.
Nursing Education Fairs will be advertised here and via internal communication.
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.
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.
Child Health Acceleration Programme (CHAP)
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.
Postgraduate Forum
This group meets quarterly and is responsible for setting the strategic direction for postgraduate nursing education for the Canterbury region. The group consists of representatives from Health New Zealand | Canterbury, Tertiary Education providers, NGO organisations, and others involved in postgraduate nursing education.