New entry to specialist practice: mental health and addiction nursing

This programme is for new graduate and registered nurses entering mental health and addiction nursing. The programme combines theory, supported clinical experience, clinical preceptorship and supervision. Nurses on the new entry to specialist practice (NESP): mental health and addiction nursing programme develop their professional practice and mental health and addiction nursing skills. Nurses receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addiction Nursing.

Each year Skills Matter reserves a number of funded positions nationally for nurses employed as a nurse by non-government organisations (NGOs). These are located on a regional basis in the first instance.

The programme is highly structured and new graduate nurses need a good level of support from employers. To help NGOs understand the level of support required, we’ve outlined the programme requirements and recommendations for best practice. If you are from a primary health organisation these recommendations also apply to you but we suggest you contact us or a local programme provider to discuss your situation.

New graduates or nurses new to mental health and addiction, employed by a DHB or NGO mental health and addiction service, or in a mental health role in a PHO, can apply for this programme.

The NESP: mental health and addiction nursing programme involves days or blocks of classroom teaching, online and self-directed learning, workplace learning within the clinical setting, clinical preceptorship and supervision.

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

Skills Matter funding covers all course fees. Nurses on the programme receive:

• regular professional supervision (in addition to routine supervision provided as part of employment) for a minimum of 10 hours and up to 20 hours during the course of the programme
• access to a preceptor at all times, provided by the employer
• time away from the clinical setting (in addition to rostered days off) to attend formal learning.

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

New graduates nurses wishing to apply for a position at a DHB must apply through the Advanced Choice of Employment scheme.