1258 enrolled nurses complete transition into the new scope of practice

The Nursing Council is pleased with the number of enrolled nurses who completed the transition into the new scope of practice by 1 July 2011.  To date 1258 enrolled nurses have complete.  799 of these through a professional development and recognition programme and 459 by a competence assessment by a Council approved assessor.  Approximately 2000 enrolled nurses were expected to make the transition at this time.  Nurses from Canterbury and the West Coast have been given an extension of time until 1 January 2012 because of the Christchurch earthquakes.  Previous nurse assistants who are required to complete part of an enrolled nurse programme are also expected to require more time.

All enrolled nurses who complete the transition will be able to practise in the new scope of practice without restrictions and will be exempt from the recertification audit for three years.

Enrolled nurses who have not make the transition by 1 July 2011

In August enrolled nurses (excluding New Zealand educated nurses previously titled nurse assistant) who have not complete the transition will receive a letter advising them that they will have the condition "may only work with health consumers with stable and predictable health outcomes" included in their scope of practice.  This condition will appear on the public register of nurses from August but will not be placed on their practising certificate until their annual renewal.

This restriction was included in the wording of the previous enrolled nurse scope of practice. This condition should not make any difference to their present employment but may restrict them from taking on additional responsibilities that are within the new scope of practice.

Enrolled nurse with conditions will not be expected to meet the seven new competencies (2.2, 2.3, 2.6, 3.2, 3.3, 4.2 and 4.3).  A competence assessment form for nurses in the restricted scope of practice is available on the Council’s website (click here).

Although the Council set a timeframe for the transition period this does not mean that nurses can not make the transition into the new scope of practice after this period. 

For more information on the enrolled nurse scope of practice and transition requirements (click here).

New enrolled nurse programmes

Since October 2010 nine enrolled nurse programmes have been approved and many are underway or about to commence.  Please see the table below.