This clinically focussed programme is designed for registered nurses choosing to focus on extending their knowledge on Nursing or Mental Health and Addiction. Credits may be gained towards Masters study.
Programme outline
The Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing takes a registered nurse's existing knowledge and experience and builds on it in a learning environment that ensures the supported acquisition of knowledge and skills. Students attend theory blocks and/or tutorials at the Porirua campus, or in their workplace environments.
Mental Health and Addiction Strand (including change of scope of practice)
This programme is offered to registered nurses in their first year of practice in mental health and addiction settings or registered nurses wanting to change their scope of practice to include mental health nursing. Te Pou funding is available for nurses employed in a Ministry of Health-funded mental health service for a minimum of 0.7 FTE per week.
HSC8316: Contemporary Mental Health and Addiction Nursing (60 credits)
In this course you will explore the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of contemporary mental health and addictions practice within New Zealand, as well as exploring the socio-political and professional issues influencing mental health and addiction, and how these issues relate to clinical practice.
HCS8326: Professional Practice in Mental Health and Addiction Nursing (60 credits)
This course will provide you with supported entry into specialty mental health and addiction nursing, through the development of confidence and competence within the professional practice setting.
September 2025
Registered nurses with a current New Zealand practising certificate, Bachelor degree or equivalent; currently employed in a relevant clinical setting.
Change of scope strand must have approval from the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall with no sub-score less than 6.0; TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) - Score of 79 (with a writing score of 21); Cambridge English Test - FCE with a pass at Grade A or CAE with a score of 58 or CPE with a score of 45; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PToE (Academic) score of 58; New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) - Level 5 with the Academic endorsement.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
