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Nurse Practitioners
New Zealand

Clinical Supervisor Timeline

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12-24 months pre NP Training (practicum)

  • There are 3 ‘scopes’ of nursing practice in Aotearoa NZ 

    1. Enrolled Nurse (EN).

    2. Registered Nurse (RN), the majority of nurses in Aotearoa. Only nurses in this scope can train to become NPs.

    3. Nurse Practitioner (NP)

     

    Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are expert clinical nurses who have completed Master’s education and advanced clinical training. They are registered in the Mātanga tapuhi/NP scope of practice. They assess, diagnose, order laboratory and radiologic diagnostic testing, develop treatment plans, and are authorised to prescribe medications.

     

    Nurse practitioners make diagnoses and differential diagnoses, and order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests. They prescribe medicines within their area of competence with the same authority as medical practitioners. Nurse practitioners may admit and discharge people from hospital and other health care services. They are involved in research, have leadership roles, and supervise and mentor other senior nurses.

     

    What is an NP https://www.pegasus.health.nz/presentation

  • 1. University based Masters programmes 

    2. NPTP 

     

    These programmes with deliver the relevant papers and practicum to meet the Nursing Council of New Zealand requirements for registration as an Mātanga tapuhi/NP

  • CNS are registered nurses (RN) and must adhere to the RN scope of practice, with or without prescribing. Registered nurse (nursingcouncil.org.nz)

     

    NPs are in the nurse practitioner scope which involves a different set of competencies including assess, diagnose, order laboratory and radiologic diagnostic testing, develop treatment plans, and are authorised to prescribe medications Nurse practitioner (nursingcouncil.org.nz)

  • How to get the best from your clinical supervisor(s)?

    How to get the best from your clinical supervisor(s)?

    • You will need to have a good understanding of the times when key assessments including viva voce, summative and formative are due, so you can be available.  It would be frustrating to find out you are on leave when your supervisee has a big assessment due. 

    • Check the academic timetable and link with the academic supervisors as well as the candidate.

    • Consider, is this something you are willing to take on if there is no funding to pay for their supervisory role. Discuss options for managing your caseload and supervisor role with service employer/manager.

6-12 months pre NP Training (practicum)

  • (This applies to the NP practicum year or the beginning of the Masters programme.)
     

    • Be honest. Please discuss with the RN why you think they are clinically unready to start the NP practicum year. 

    • Review the NP competencies with the RN and provide specific feedback on areas for development to meet the competencies. Consider making a plan together on how you can provide opportunities to grow these areas and a realistic time frame to review

    • If you are not an NP, suggest that they spend some time with a practising NP to see the breadth and depth of NP practice. 

    • The commitment to support an RN through the NP practicum year is a substantial commitment of time and effort. If you are not able to provide this, it is best to be ‘up-front’ and acknowledge this. This allows the RN to seek out another mentor who may be able to support the them. 

     

    As a final step, if required, discuss your concerns with the service manager/ employer and the organisational nurse leader. If possible, check in with academic mentors.

    How did you find a clinical supervisor?

    How did you know you would be ready to become an NP?

  • Check the calendar (below)

  • The academic supervisor, ensure you have all contact details available should you need to email or call.

  • Letters of support based on the practice domains and competencies

    Letter of support based on prescribing comptencies

     

    Check on the NCNZ site Nurse practitioner (nursingcouncil.org.nz) and / or the academic supervisor

Note this year will be spent with NPs in practice and networking; Linking with local NP networks
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NP Training (practicum) Year

Click on each month for what to expect and what is happening next

Each university process and timeframes may differ slightly so please check with your education provider.

Candidate

Check calendar NP training

Do you have all the access and space you need for academic work?

 

Do you have access to clinical practice and study space to  undertake the clinical and academic work?

 

Refer to NCNZ np competencies

 

Clinical Supervisor

Check calendar for NP training

Ensure release time and clinical supervision time clearly identified

NCNZ Panel

How to prepare for NCNZ panel

Portfolio Prep

First year as an NP: Consolidation and transition

Do I have an ongoing role?

  1. Remember imposter syndrome/ organisational socialisation in role transition.

  2. Try to maintain some form of regular catch up and support

    • Case review discussion etc..

  3. If you can, at least for this consolidation year, be a mentor and available for clinical discussions.

  4. Try to check in regularly to make sure everything is going well. 

RN-NP Transition Imposter phenomenon post NP training year

Was it worth it? Post NP training year

Was it worth it? Post NP training year

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