Nursing Entry to practice programme
Frequently Asked Questions
These frequently asked questions provide the latest information regarding the establishment of the NETP programme.
- What is the NETP programme's vision?
- Why is the NETP programme needed?
- What research was done to determine the elements of the NETP programme?
- What will be included in the nationwide programme?
- What is the NETP Learning Framework and when will it be available?
- Who will offer the NETP programme?
- What is the role of DHBNZ?
- Who will be eligible?
- When will the NETP programme begin?
- How many places will be available?
- How much will it cost?
- How will the NETP programme be funded?
- How will the funding be paid to the DHBs?
- Is the funding only for DHB hospital-based placements/rotations?
- Why are programmes required to have a Nursing Council approved Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP)?
- Will all new graduate nurses in New Zealand have to participate in the NETP programme?
- Will new graduate nurses who do not meet the funding eligibility criteria be able to access the NETP programme if the cost to do so is fully funded by the DHB?
- What will happen to nurses who take their first jobs outside the DHBs?
- Will academic credit be offered?
- What training will be given to clinical preceptors?
- What will happen to the New Graduate Mental Health Nursing Programme?
- What will happen if someone is not able to 'pass' the NETP programme?
- How will the programmes be monitored?
- What is the role of the NETP Programme Establishment Steering Group?
- Who is on the NETP Programme Establishment Steering Group (as at 30 September 2006)?
- Ministry representatives
- DHBNZ/DHB representatives
- Nursing Council of New Zealand representatives
What is the NETP programme's vision?
'New Zealand nursing graduates enthusiastically commence their careers in New Zealand:
well-supported, safe, skilled and confident in their clinical practice;
equipped for further learning and professional development;
meeting the needs of health and disability support service users and employers; and
building a sustainable base for the New Zealand registered nursing workforce into the future.'
Why is the NETP programme needed?
A number of reviews of nursing education and practice have recommended that New Zealand introduce a structured support programme for newly graduated nurses to benefit the development and retention of nurses. This is common practice overseas and in other professions such as law, accounting and teaching.
In recent years, District Health Boards (DHBs) have developed local programmes of variable size, length and content. New graduate nurse retention is important to the future of the nursing workforce and health services in New Zealand, and the NETP programme is expected to assist recruitment and retention of nurses in the sector.
What research was done to determine the elements of the NETP programme?
The available literature was collected in 2002 - 2004, and was used to guide the initial outline of a national NETP programme. A major source of information was the evaluation of the New Zealand pilot programmes.[1]
Once the Minister of Health agreed in early 2005 that New Zealand was to have a nationally consistent programme, work was done with the sector to finalise the NETP programme components.
This includes the NETP Establishment Steering Group, and discussions with various interested parties such as the DHBNZ Workforce Development Group, NENZ, NETS, NZNO, the Nursing Council Forums, as well as the formal consultation on the draft programme specification and the Nursing Council approval standards in September/October 2005.
What will be included in the nationwide programme?
The 10-12 month NETP programme will introduce a consistent set of learning outcomes and provide each new graduate nurse with clinical preceptorship from a senior nurse trained in adult teaching and learning.
Each DHB programme will be led by a programme co-ordinator with experience in clinical nursing practice and clinical education. Individual DHBs may wish to involve one of New Zealand's eighteen accredited nursing schools in the delivery of the learning framework.
There will be two rotations of five-six months each in different service areas, or one, 10-12 month placement. Each DHB will advertise the length of their programme and whether they offer one placement, two rotations, or both options.
The Nursing Council of New Zealand's competencies for the registered nurse scope of practice will provide a foundation for the programme. The programme will also align with the achievement of 'competent registered nurse' on the Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP) framework.
The Programme Specification provides further information on the components, processes and outcomes for the NETP programme.
What is the NETP Learning Framework and when will it be available?
The Learning Framework collates the required elements of the NETP programme in one set of related documents. It will be used by the DHB NETP programme co-ordinators and others to ensure that everyone knows how the programme works.
As the programme evolves, documents will be added to the Learning Framework, such as toolkits and a programme self-audit document for the Nursing Council approval process
Who will offer the NETP programme?
Each of the 21 DHBs are invited to develop programmes consistent with the nationwide NETP programme specification and the Nursing Council of New Zealand's standards for NETP programmes. They will then apply for approval of their programme by the Council, and, thereafter, for funding from the Ministry of Health.
This website will be updated when further information is available. You can directly contact any DHB regarding their application procedures.
What is the role of DHBNZ?
District Health Boards New Zealand (DHBNZ) will have an important role in facilitating the establishment and implementation of the DHB programmes.
Who will be eligible?
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents who graduate from New Zealand accredited nursing programmes will be eligible to apply, provided they have not practised as a registered nurse for more than six months before starting on the programme. No more than one year can have elapsed since completion of the degree programme, except in exceptional circumstances.
The DHBs will apply to the Ministry of Health for a number of funded places and will select their new graduates.
In the beginning, only those employed directly by the DHBs 'provider arm'[2] will be eligible to take part in the funded NETP programme.
Discussion will take place regarding how DHBs can in future offer 'extension' programmes that can include new graduate nurses employed by Primary Health Organisations (PHOs), Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and aged care providers with whom they have contracts.
When will the NETP programme begin?
The first DHBs are expected to offer a small NETP intake beginning in mid-2006.
There is expected to be a larger number of DHBs offering the NETP programmes in January 2007. Thereafter, participating DHBs will decide whether to run one or two intakes per year.
How many places will be available?
Planning is underway to determine the precise numbers for 2006 and 2007, which are dependent on places offered by individual DHBs and the available budget.
Funding for up to several hundred places each year has been earmarked from the Ministry of Health's Clinical Training Agency budget. The total number of places will be capped if funding is not adequate for all those who apply.
How much will it cost?
The new graduate nurses will not be required to pay to attend the NETP programme.
The Ministry of Health's Clinical Training Agency will pay the cost for DHBs to apply for the initial Nursing Council approval of their NETP programme.
How will the NETP programme be funded?
The Clinical Training Agency's funding of $6,000 per new graduate will subsidise the DHBs estimated costs to offer the programme. Additional funding has been set aside to assist with education delivery of the programme, and for the work required to establish the programme.
The 13 July 2005 media statement released by The Honourable Annette King, Minister of Health, stated: 'Funding of $800,000 has been set aside for startup costs, and ongoing funding will depend on how many graduates are offered the programme. The Ministry of Health's Clinical Training Agency (CTA) will pay $6,000 per graduate as a contribution to the DHBs costs of offering the programme. It is estimated the programme will cost $12,000 per graduate, although each DHBs costs may vary. The Steering Group will oversee funding and contractual arrangements with the DHBs.'
How will the funding be paid to the DHBs?
This will be managed through a standardised contracting process between the CTA and
Is the funding only for DHB hospital-based placements/rotations?
The DHBs will use their best endeavour to develop appropriate placements/rotations in their provider-arm services, which include community-focused and hospital services.
The Nursing Council of New Zealand will look at the DHBs plans for offering a range of placements/rotations at the time the programme is approved and in subsequent audits.
Why are programmes required to have a Nursing Council approved Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP)?
The DHBs must all operate a PDRP that is consistent with the National Professional Development and Recognition framework (2003/2005).
This is integrally linked to the NETP programme, with progression from the 'new graduate' to 'competent' registered nurse representing the key outcomes of the NETP programme. Nursing Council approval of the PDRP programmes gives third party assurance to the Ministry of Health that the DHB PDRP is operating as required to provide this important linkage. DHBs must either have a current approval, or be working towards it.
The deadline for gaining Nursing Council approval is the end of December 2008.
Will all new graduate nurses in New Zealand have to participate in the NETP programme?
No. All new graduate nurses will need to meet the Nursing Council of New Zealand's requirements for registration and ongoing annual practising certificates. Successful completion of the NETP programme, for those who participate, will be linked to the Council's processes.
There will be alternative processes for nurses who do not participate in the NETP programme to enable them to demonstrate that they meet Council requirements.
Individual DHB employers will set out their own employment requirements, which may or may not include completion of the NETP programme.
Will new graduate nurses who do not meet the funding eligibility criteria be able to access the NETP programme if the cost to do so is fully funded by the DHB?
DHBs will make their own decisions regarding whether or not to include 'unfunded' new graduates in their programme.
The Ministry of Health and Nursing Council will need to be assured that the funded places are fully compliant with the programme specification, funding contract and programme approval standards, whether or not there are unfunded places at the DHB.
What will happen to nurses who take their first jobs outside the DHBs?
Nationally, discussion will take place regarding making the NETP programme available to new graduates employed outside the DHB provider arm. These extension arrangements are not likely to be in place in time for the earliest intakes of the NETP programme. Further information will be provided when it is available.
Will academic credit be offered?
No. The programme will focus on the application of theory to practice, providing support to new graduates as they transition from their student role to registered professional role. Individual DHBs may choose to involve education providers in the delivery of the learning framework.
What training will be given to clinical preceptors?
The DHBs will ensure that the NETP programme preceptors participate in 16 hours of relevant training per year. As preceptors are required to be skilled in adult teaching and learning, the training will focus on this foundation.
Other training possibilities include refresher courses, local and national overview and update of the NETP programme, training on any NETP toolkits, or training in advanced practice in a clinical topic that is relevant to subsequent teaching of new graduates.
What will happen to the New Graduate Mental Health Nursing Programme?
The New Graduate Mental Health Nursing Programme will continue as usual, and new graduates who wish to specialise in mental health should be encouraged to consider this programme.
In 2005, there were approximately 144 nurses enrolled who are 'new to mental health', including new graduate nurses and those experienced in other areas. This programme offers a postgraduate certificate at level 8, which can be credited toward further academic and clinical study, including the nurse practitioner pathway.
In addition to supporting nurses to enrol in the New Graduate Mental Health Nursing Programme, DHBs can consider offering NETP rotations in mental health services. As explained elsewhere, this latter option will not result in an academic qualification.
What will happen if someone is not able to 'pass' the NETP programme?
DHBs will have a process for providing remedial assistance to new graduates who do not meet the assessment criteria.
Those new graduates who, despite this remedial assistance, do not fulfil the NETP programme requirements, will be subject to the DHBs performance management policies and procedures. This will include reporting significant, unremediated performance issues to the Nursing Council of New Zealand's competence review process.
How will the programmes be monitored?
In establishment phase, the Establishment Steering Group will oversee any issues that arise. DHBNZ will also collate information tracking progress by the DHBs in implementing the NETP programme.
When each DHB begins to deliver the NETP programme, they will have a contract with the Ministry of Health that will include reporting requirements. The Ministry will monitor contractual compliance on an ongoing basis. The contracts will also include the usual audit provisions enabling detailed review of the providers' performance against their contract.
There will also be a separate NETP programme national evaluation provider, selected through a Request for Proposal process. Further information on this will be provided when it is available.
What is the role of the NETP Programme Establishment Steering Group?
The NETP Programme Establishment Steering Group (steering group) has been formed to oversee the development of the key documents and processes required for nationwide consistency in the establishment phase of the programme.
The organisations represented on the steering group are:
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the Ministry of Health,
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the Nursing Council of New Zealand; and
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DHBNZ, which will put in place processes for involving the DHBs in the establishment process.
The steering group has a Terms of Reference and will be responsible for ensuring that communication with the sector is carried out regularly.
The steering group will meet or teleconference monthly until the first intake of new graduates enters the NETP programme.
Two of the steering group members were involved in the operation of the New Graduate Pilot programmes funded by the Clinical Training Agency in 2002.
The future arrangements for overseeing the programme will be outlined in a transition plan developed in 2006.
Who is on the NETP Programme Establishment Steering Group (as at 30 September 2006)?
Ministry representatives
Tony Gibling,Manager, Clinical Training Agency
Daria Martin, Portfolio Manager, Clinical Training Agency
Mark Jones, Chief Advisor, Nursing
DHBNZ/DHB representatives
Kerry-Ann Adlam, National NETP Project Co-ordinator, DHBNZ
Margaret Dotchin, Nurse Director, Adult Services, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland DHB
Sue Hayward, Chair,Director of Nursing, Christchurch Hospital, Canterbury DHB
Lindy MacLennan, Training and Development Manager, Bay of Plenty DHB
Nursing Council of New Zealand representatives
Annette Huntington, Council Chair
Marion Clark, CEO
Carolyn Reed, Education Advisor