CDHB Nursing & Midwifery programmes
Working as a nurse or midwife at the CDHB can offer you a variety of experiences and the opportunity to work across the scope of practice including primary, secondary and tertiary care, team, mental health & rural, with comprehensive education session and study days for professional development and flexible working hours.
Each division of the CDHB has a wide range of professional development programmes available. Programmes are tailored to the individual needs of staff and the speciality they are working in.
Examples of some of the programmes available
Nurse Entry to Practice Programme (NetP)
There are five hospitals which take part in the Nurse Entry to Practice Programme (NetP). This enables us to provide surgical, medical, rehabilitation, older person health and child/womens’s health placements.
The aim of NetP is to provide a safe and supportive environment enabling the Graduate Nurse to really grow into the role of the competent Registered Nurse (RN).
Entry to Specialty Practice/New Graduate Mental Health Nursing Programme
Mental Health also offers entry to specialty practice programmes for nurses interested in starting a career in mental health. This programme is structured to offer professional and educational support to participants as they commence their nursing career or make the transition to Mental Health. Further information about this programme can be found in our graduates section.
New Graduate Programme - Midwives
If you are newly graduated and looking for a supportive teaching environment in which to gain clinical skills and consolidate on your Midwifery degree, the new graduate programme is ideal. We will work in partnership with you in building your midwifery experience and ensuring there are opportunities for you in educational and professional development.
Professional Development and Recognition Programme
Our CDHB-wide programme aims to promote and reward expertise and recognise the contribution of nurses and midwives in the delivery of quality patient health outcomes.
Some of the aims of the programme include:
- Advancing professional development in nursing;
- Providing exemption from Nursing Council audit processes for those who are successful
- Providing professional and financial recognition
- Ensuring that levels of practice are transferable and transportable across New Zealand
Clinical Skills Unit
The Clinical Skills Unit is based on site at Christchurch Hospital and is jointly funded by the Canterbury District Health Board and the University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences (CSMHS). The unit provides training in clinical skills, and gives opportunities to practice them within the CDHB and the CSMHS.
The Professional Development Unit
The Professional Development Unit (PDU) is the centre for training and ongoing professional development at Christchurch Hospital. The PDU plans, develops and facilitates a range of professional development programmes for nursing staff to support a safe and competent nursing workforce. The role of the Professional Development Unit complements the roles of specialty-based Nurse Educators, Clinical Nurse Specialists and training provided at a corporate level.
The Professional Development Unit team offers:
- Nursing Orientation programmes including the Nursing Entry to Practice Programme and the Acute Nursing Update Course
- IV and CPR certification
- Facilitation of training to support policy implementation;
- Links with the external education providers and information about post registration/graduate nursing education
- Preceptor training in conjunction with Canterbury University College of Education and Corporate HR
- Clinical Nurse Educators Support to Nurses undergoing Nursing Council audit
- Leadership training
- Support to the Quality Facilitator in reviewing incidents in practice
- Seminars and Study Days
- Training to external health providers eg. Nursing Agencies, Primary Care Nurses and the NZ Army
Opportunities for Postgraduate Nursing Education
Our nurses enjoy the benefits of many postgraduate study opportunities, with advanced nursing courses offered in conjunction with our educational partners. Fully funded places are available on postgraduate (PG) nursing courses on a wide variety of topics, where each nurse receives a fully-funded scholarship from the Clinical Training Agency administered by the CDHB. Fees are paid and the RNs are paid while on study leave.