Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Registered Nurse Prescriber)

Overview

Are you a registered nurse looking to advance your career and lead positive change? Upskill through flexible online study supported with face to face learning onsite in Ōtautahi Christchurch. You'll become a registered nurse prescriber in just two years of part-time study. 

The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Registered Nurse Prescriber) is designed to equip you with the competencies to apply for registration as a registered nurse prescriber in your area of practice.

Learn online from anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand, combined with up to 20 days onsite in Ōtautahi Christchurch. 

You'll refine your advanced health assessment and communication skills to work with diverse populations with complex health needs. You'll study and practice skills essential for the provision of safe, appropriate and effective prescribing, including patient assessment, pathophysiology, clinical reasoning and monitoring, pharmacology, and communication. Utilising your advanced practice skills, you’ll play a pivotal role in diminishing health inequalities and meeting the health needs of individuals and communities.

Graduate with a PGDipNurs and apply for registration with Te Kaunihere Tapuhi o Aotearoa | Nursing Council of New Zealand to work as a registered nurse prescriber, or credit these courses and continue onto our Master of Advanced Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) to become a mātanga tapuhi | nurse practitioner. 

Requirements

To ensure that our learners have the necessary background and experience to succeed, admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Registered Nurse Prescriber) is based on your previous studies in a relevant nursing degree, and clinical experience as a registered nurse. 

To enrol in the PGDipNurs, you must have:

• A current Registered Nurse practicing certificate from Te Kaunihere Tapuhi o Aotearoa | Nursing Council of New Zealand with at least three years' of clinical experience; and
• Completed one of the following:
  • Qualified for an Aotearoa New Zealand nursing degree with a grade average of B or greater in your 300-level (or equivalent) courses; or
  • Completed a recognised nursing qualification requiring at least three years full-time tertiary study with a grade average of B or greater; or
  • Successfully completed a qualifying course prescribed by the Amo Matua, Te Kaupeka Oranga | Executive Dean of Health or delegate; or
  • Been admitted with Academic Equivalent Standing as fulfilling these requirements.

Your eligibility will be considered upon enrolment, with successful applicants approved as students by the Amo Pūtaiao | Executive Dean of Health or delegate.

Unsure about your suitability?
As part of our application process, your eligibility will be assessed by our nursing academic team to make sure that your academic and professional background meets the entry criteria. Unfortunately, our Tuihono UC | UC Online team cannot confirm your eligibility before your application is submitted, beyond referring you to the requirements above. We are happy to help answer any general questions you have about the programme or online learning, however. You can get in touch with us here.

Other requirements
For this qualification you will be required to meet police vetting and other health requirements stipulated in the Children's Act 2014, and health/immunisation requirements of clinical agencies and the HPCA Act 2003. This includes:

1. Evidence of Immune Status* - required prior to commencement of the program. Cost of a GP/health professional fee, and cost (if any) for serology tests. (Student to arrange.)
   • *Please see our Nursing vaccination & immunity requirements for full requirements.
     
     
2. First Aid training - required prior to commencing the first clinical practicum. Provide an up to date first aid certificate for a course that covers NZQA unit standards 6401 and 6402 and is a minimum of 8 hours in length. For example, Red Cross Essential First Aid or St John First Aid Level 1 (Student to arrange and cover cost.)
   
   
3. Nursing equipment kit and Student uniform– required prior to commencement of the program. We will send you more information upon enrolment.
   
   
4. Complete the Health and Disability Declaration
   

For the full requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Nurse Prescriber) or use the admission requirements checker.Clinical requirements

Clinical practicum requirements mean that learners must also complete at least 300 hours of placements in clinical settings. These practicum requirements include opportunities to integrate theory with diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills in complex health situations, allowing learners to develop advanced practice, leadership, collaborative and innovative clinical practice skills. Students must work with population groups across at least two settings, and practicum locations will be discussed during the enrolment process. We will need confirmation of your ability to access suitable clinical experience. 

Course requirements
All courses are compulsory, and HLTH661, HLTH662 and HLTH663 must be successfully completed as prerequisites before studying NURS664. Learners must attend up to 20 days of in-person intensives at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. Specific dates will be discussed during the enrolment process. 

What you'll study

You’ll study four NZQF level 8 postgraduate courses for the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Registered Nurse Prescriber). 

Our people

The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Registered Nurse Prescriber) is coordinated by Dr Cathy Andrew and other Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury academics.