National Nurse Practitioner Training Programme (NPTP)

Nurse Practitioners|Mātanga tapuhi (NP) are highly skilled health practitioners with advanced education (a minimum of a Masters degree), clinical training and experience. They have demonstrated clinical competence and have the legal authority to practice as an independent healthcare provider.

National Training Programme

The Ministry of Health funds the Nurse Practitioner Training Programme (NPTP) as a national programme which commenced in 2021. Three providers – the University of Auckland, the University of Otago, and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington – will be delivering the NPTP across New Zealand. Nurse Practitioner training will be provided through a coordinated programme between the partner universities.

All applications are submitted through this application process with indication from the applicant regarding which university they will complete the programme with.

Pathways

Since the launch of the nationwide NPTP, there has been some confusion for students regarding NP pathways. A statement is attached which helps to clarify the situation and briefly outlines the two funding pathways, NPTP, and Postgraduate Nursing Funding.

NPTP objectives

• Prepare experienced nurses for NP registration and employment as an NP in practice.
• Provide a pathway within the approved programmes that is specifically designed for prospective NPs.
• Support 500 hours of closely supervised supernumerary clinical time to achieve the advanced nursing competencies needed for NP registration such as advanced health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment implementation, which includes prescribing of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment.
• Align the NP registration processes of the NCNZ with NP education and subsequent employment.
• Employer commitment to employ NP (minimum 0.6 FTE) once registered following successful completion of the NPTP.

Training places and priority workforce areas

The NPTP is open to trainees from all clinical settings in New Zealand.

The priority areas for developing the NP workforce include primary health care, community and residential settings, mental health and addiction, Māori health, Pacific health, populations with high health need, rural and hard-to-reach areas, and communities with high deprivation.

An overarching goal of the NPTP is to increase the number of Māori NPs, and the number of Pacific NPs.

Ultimately, the aim is to improve equity through access to NP services.

Clinical practice requirements and supervision

• Each student will have identified a clinical supervisor (NP or senior doctor) who is willing to mentor the attainment of the advanced skills and competencies required for NP practice.
• The student is required to have negotiated the availability of a clinical supervisor for the duration of the practicum prior to acceptance into the NPTP.
• A secondary placement (minimum of 80 hours over the year) is necessary once accepted into the NPTP. The secondary placement will be relevant to the intended area of clinical practice and should broaden their clinical decision-making skills in practice.
• The course director or academic mentor will assist the student in organising secondary placements.
• At least one of the clinical supervisors (primary or secondary placement) must be an NP.
• The NPTP provides designated funding to facilitate release time for supernumerary learning and study day attendance and acknowledge the clinical supervisor's time commitment to mentoring.
• Employers will allow a minimum of 500 hours (16 hours per week) clinical release time from regular work responsibilities to undertake advanced clinical practice, plus attendance at university study days.
• Written agreement from the employer must be provided with the application to confirm clinical release time, clinical supervisor availability, attendance at study days, and commitment to employ the student as an NP on registration (minimum 0.6FTE).

Application process

Please ensure your application is fully completed, including selecting the university of your choice.

All applications are to be submitted to the University of Auckland to the via the online form below by 4th September 2023.

Shortlisting will be undertaken by the NP course directors of the three universities and interviews will take place through the university you have applied to in the first two or three weeks of November. You will be informed of the decision by mid-December.

Contact

For more information about the NPTP please contact the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice at nmh@vuw.ac.nz.