Clinical leadership in nursing practice

This programme is for registered nurses with clinical leadership roles or who are identified as emerging clinical leaders. Nurses on the programme develop their theoretical knowledge and clinical skills within the field of mental health and addiction nursing.

In 2016 the programme is delivered by University of Otago, Massey University and University of Auckland.

Eligibility and entry requirements 

Registered nurses employed in a clinical role in a DHB or NGO mental health and addiction service, or in a specialist mental health role in a PHO, can apply for this programme.

Nurses must be identified as current or emerging clinical leaders, and nominated by their professional leader or equivalent. Nurses must be supported by their employer in their application.

• Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or hold a residency permit.
• pplicants must meet the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 and have a current Nursing Council of New Zealand Practising Certificate.
• Applicants will normally be working full-time or at least 0.6 full time equivalent (24 hours a week).
• Applicants must meet the training provider's criteria for eligibility to study at Level 8 of the NZQA framework.
• Applicants should be working in clinical leadership roles such as nurse specialist or nurse educator - or be working towards such a role.
• Applicants must be nominated by their professional nursing leader (mental health) or equivalent.
• Applicants must have a minimum of two years' clinical experience.
• Applicants need to be currently engaged in clinical supervision.
• Most applicants will have undertaken previous postgraduate study. If you have not undertaken previous postgraduate study you should still discuss the possibility of applying with your professional nursing leader.

Programme details

Participants can select a programme of study equivalent in academic points to a postgraduate certificate. Study may include areas such as acute mental health nursing, addictions and co-existing problems, age related clinical specialities, psychological interventions, pharmacology and pharmacotherapy, professional leadership and other relevant programmes.

The study is normally completed over one academic year. The participant’s programme needs to be approved by one of the three contracted education providers.

Skills Matter funding is to be used as part of a postgraduate pathway leading towards a postgraduate certificate or diploma, or a clinical master’s degree that has clinical mental health and addiction nursing as its focus. In some cases, nurses who have completed a master’s degree may be funded for additional study.

For information about specific papers offered as part of this programme, please contact the relevant education provider (University of Otago, Massey University, University of Auckland).

For more information on the programme content and entry criteria refer to the programme service specifications.

Skills Matter support available

Skills Matter funding covers all course fees. Programme participants also receive:

• 10 hours of professional supervision over the year, focused on supporting and empowering the nurse to develop their clinical leadership role
• time away from the clinical setting (in addition to rostered days off) to attend formal learning sessions.

Some travel and accommodation assistance is available for nurses who work 100km or more away from the nearest Skills Matter funded provider. However this assistance might not meet all of the nurse’s travel and accommodation costs, which should be considered before applying.

How to apply

Please apply directly to one of the three contracted providers for a Skills Matter funded place on the programme. 

Massey University
Jody Lamb, administrator
Phone: 0800 627 739 ext. 85345

University of Auckland
Lee-Anne Govender, postgraduate student manager
Phone 09 373 7599 ext. 83059

University of Otago
Judith Stone, postgraduate administrator
Phone 03 372 0404

Academic advice

Massey University

Dr Stacey Wilson, senior lecturer, School of Nursing
Phone: 06 356 9099 ext. 85348

University of Auckland
Anthony O'Brien, senior lecturer, School of Nursing
Phone 09 373 7599 ext. 85693

University of Otago
Dr David Carlyle, lecturer
Phone 03 372 0400