The Nursing Council of New Zealand approves and audits these programmes through assessment of the curriculum and all the supporting documentation against the policies, standards and competencies outlined in the standards for nurse entry to practice programmes (November 2005) and the Clinical Training Agency Specifications (November 2005)

The approval and audit processes require programme providers to demonstrate that the processes and systems they have in place meet the Council’s standards.

An organisation would the send following documentation to the Council to apply for approval for an entry to practice programme:

• a letter formally requesting programme approval
• two copies of the programme curriculum and the student handbook
• a self assessment of the programme and your provider policies and procedures against the standards for nurse entry to practice programmes (November 2005) on the Council approval tool
• an assessment timetable, copies of assessments and details of how the programme content and assessments contribute to developing the nurse towards meeting level two outcomes of the professional development and recognition framework
• information on how clinical placements and rotations are selected
• documentation relating to the roles and responsibilities of the preceptors
• an up to date curriculum vitae for the programme coordinator and the programme teaching staff
• a course outline which details the programme teaching sessions timetable
• any course brochures/supplements in addition to the course outline, selection criteria and selection processes (if this is not in the student handbook)
• samples of record keeping formats for recording how the total hours for the programme and the assessment results for each course participant will be recorded
• detailed information on related policy and procedures.

• Assessment and audit

  The assessment process for Council approval includes a desk audit of the documentation and a site visit. The desk audit involves comparing the documentation with the standards for nurse entry to practice programmes (November 2005) and the Clinical Training Agency specifications (November 2005) to ensure that there is sufficient evidence that all the criteria are met. The site visit includes meeting with programme coordinators, staff in the clinical practice areas and assessing facilities.

  The desk audit and site visit will be arranged when all the necessary documentation has been received.

  The district health board will receive an electronic version of a draft report from the auditor within one week of the audit visit, and will be asked to check the report for factual accuracy. The report is then submitted to the Council at the next available meeting (these are usually, but not always, monthly). The Council considers the report and makes decisions on the programme approval.

  Your organisation will be notified in writing of the result within one week of the Council meeting.

• Fees

  Accreditation or monitoring audit of nurse entry to practice programme (effective from 13 September 2007): $2,700.00 (inclusive of GST).

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