CDHB opens new hospital unit for student nurses

CDHB opens new hospital unit for student nurses

Burwood Health Campus became the first in the country to offer enrolled nursing students hands-on experience in theatre patient care in a joint initiative between CPIT and Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) which started on 11 November.

Six enrolled nursing students from CPIT are gaining valuable experience in perioperative care, which refers to looking after patients before, during and after surgery, in a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU).

“It is wonderful to see the perioperative services at Burwood Hospital become our 24th DEU,” Mary Gordon, Canterbury District Health Board Executive Director of Nursing said. “It is also exciting to have this DEU focusing on the students studying the Diploma in Enrolled Nursing who may be looking to have a career within this setting when they are qualified.

“It is important that we attract nurses to work in speciality areas such as operating theatres and it is timely as the facilities development programme includes new additional operating theatres being built as part of our Christchurch Campus.”

The initiative has grown from the close working relationship between the two organisations.

“Our programme is designed to prepare nurses for the realities of clinical practice and our relationship with the CDHB ensures that both Enrolled and Bachelor of Nursing students have access to on-the-ground experiences in the workplace,” CPIT Head of Nursing Dr Cathy Andrew said.

“That is the best way for us to graduate skilled, confident nurses who know their way around workplaces and can deliver excellent care.”

The programme has national significance for addressing workforce shortages and could be replicated around the country, she said. The current preceptor model for enrolled nurses takes one to two new enrolled nurses where the new DEU will take six such students.

Enrolled Nurses at CPIT achieved the top national pass rate in New Zealand this year. Bachelor of Nursing students at CPIT again achieved the top rate for Registered Nurses in the Nursing Council of New Zealand registration exams with a 100% pass rate.

ENDS

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