Certificate in Competency Assessment for Registered Nurses

Note: As a business division of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this programme information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions, call an enrollment advisor at 0800 468 265.

This programme consists of 38 credits. 

Mandatory theoretical content 

• The Treaty of Waitangi
• Cultural safety
• Legislation impacting upon the practice of nurses in New Zealand. (NCNZ, 2005)

Competencies for the registered nurse scope of practice. (NCNZ, 2005)

Professional responsibility

• Ensuring nursing practice and conduct meets the standards of the professional, ethical and relevant legislated requirements. This includes upholding clients' legal rights, accepting responsibility for actions and decisions made within the scope of practice, identifying breaches of law in practice and reporting them, demonstrating appropriate knowledge, and utilising professional standards of practice.
• Demonstrating knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi in the context of the health of New Zealanders and how it applies to nursing practice.
• Promoting health and safety by assessing and managing risks, and identifying and reporting situations that affect people's health or safety.
• Culturally safe nursing practices that respects consumers' identity and right to hold personal beliefs, values and goals.

Management of nursing care

• Provision of planned nursing care in consultation with consumers to achieve identified outcomes.
• Undertaking comprehensive and accurate nursing assessments.
• Ensuring accurate information and maintenance of confidentiality.
• Ensuring the consumer is fully informed of the effects, consequences and alternatives of proposed treatment options.
• Acting appropriately to protect oneself and others when faced with unexpected consumer responses, confrontation, personal threat or other crisis situations.
• Evaluation of consumers' progress toward expected outcomes.
• Appropriate provision of health education appropriate to the needs of the consumer within a nursing framework.
• Reflection and evaluation of the effectiveness of one's nursing care.
• Ongoing professional development that contributes to one's own knowledge and practice, and supports that of one's colleagues.

Interpersonal relationships

• Establishes, maintains and concludes therapeutic interpersonal relationships with consumers.
• Practises nursing in a negotiated partnership with consumers where and when possible.
• Communicates effectively.
  

Inter-professional health care and quality improvement

• Collaboration and participation with colleagues and members of the health care team to facilitate and coordinate care.
• Recognition of and valuing the roles and skills of all members of the health care team in the delivery of care.
• Participation in quality improvement activities to monitor and improve standards of nursing.

The course also covers the following areas

• Pharmacological revision and drug calculation test
• Clinical core skills
• Introduction to wound care
• Introduction to infection control
• Vital signs
• Effective communication
• Document management and protocols
• Nursing skills specific to the practice setting
• Integration of theory into practice

• Bachelor of Nursing

Candidates must be either:

Nursing Council of New Zealand registered nurses who have been out of the nursing workforce for over five years

Or

Nurses who hold a registration from another country and meet the Nursing Council of New Zealand requirements to undertake a Competence Assessment Programme.

All applicants must produce evidence of their immune status in respect of the following: Hepatitis B antibody status, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chicken Pox, Tuberculosis and Tetanus (if a chest x-ray is done a copy of the report is to be provided).

All applicants are required to declare all criminal or pending criminal convictions, undertake a background check from the NZ Police Licensing and Vetting Agency, or equivalent if they have lived abroad.

All applicants are required to provide evidence that they meet Sections 16(d) and 45(5) of the Health Practitioners Competence Act 2003 and to complete a health declaration form.

All applicants must provide a complete CV detailing their nursing experience.

If English is not your first language, the English language requirement detailed in the 'International Entry Requirements' tab will apply.

For more information about NCEA Credits see the UCOL NCEA explained page.

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international learner applicants:

Overseas registered nurses or nurse assistants seeking entry to the programme require written notification from the Nursing Council of New Zealand of the requirement to complete a Competence Assessment Programme before registration.

English Proficiency Entry Requirements

Overseas registered nurses who have English as a second language must meet the English language requirements of both NZQA and NCNZ valid at the time of enrolment. The minimum English language requirements are:

• New Zealand Qualifications Authority refer to the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) programme and accreditation rules: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/qa-system-for-teos/english-international-students/ and provide a copy of the English language evidence to UCOL Te Pūkenga. 
• Nursing Council NZ, refer to the Nursing Council website https://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/ overseas registered nurses must provide a copy of the English language evidence to Nursing Council.

Candidates must demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively for the purpose of practising within their scope of practice.

Applicants under 20 years of age:
There are specific academic entry requirements for international learners under 20 years of age. Please enquire for details.

The programme is aimed at the registered nurse who has been out of practice for over five years or the overseas nurse who is seeking registration with the NCNZ.

At all times both categories of applicant will practice under the direction and close supervision of a preceptor who will take responsibility for the quality of care provided to the clients. UCOL nursing lecturers assume academic responsibility. 

Work Experience
Learners will be required to complete supervised clinical placements of up to 320 hours. The clinical experience will involve shift work and may be at various clinical agencies throughout New Zealand. The number of places available on the Short Course in Competency Assessment for Registered Nurses, Level 7 may be limited by access to clinical placements.

Study references
The following guides are available as free PDF downloads from Nursing Council of New Zealand and New Zealand Resuscitation Council:

• Nursing Council of New Zealand. (2005). Guidelines for cultural safety, the Treaty of Waitangi, and Maori health in nursing education and practice.
• Nursing Council of New Zealand. (2012a). Competencies for registered nurses. 
• Nursing Council of New Zealand. (2012b). Code of Conduct for Nurses.
• New Zealand Resuscitation Council. Basic and Advanced Life Support.

Recognition of Prior Learning
Not applicable.