INDEPENDENT NEWS

74 Graduates for Plunket

Published: Wed 27 Nov 2002 01:29 PM
74 Graduates for Plunket, Iwi and Pacific Providers
Children and families are the winners with 74 graduates of the Community Child Health and Family Promotion programme, receiving their diplomas and medals at ceremonies in Wellington (subs 26 November); Christchurch (subs 27 November); Otorohanga (subs 10 December) and Auckland (subs 11 December).
Among the graduates are four Pacific registered nurses who have completed their Graduate Diploma. For the first time this Plunket education programme has a graduate, Alisi Tameifuna of South Seas Healthcare, from an independent Pacific well child health provider, based in Auckland.
The three courses facilitated by Plunket, educate Plunket nurses and Tamariki Ora Nurses, Plunket Kaiawhina and Tamariki Ora Kaiawhina (Maori health workers) and Community Karitane (parenting/family health workers). The courses have also been attended by staff of Iwi and Pacific providers of well child health services who, on gaining their graduate diplomas and certificates, will return to work with their Iwi or Pacific communities.
Every year, Plunket Nurses, Plunket Kaiwahina and Community Karitane bring their specialist skills to over half a million visits in family homes, Plunket clinics, and Plunket Karitane Family Centres. In the process they form unique, trusting relationships with the parents and caregivers of 250,000 new babies and young children.
This education programme, developed and administered by Plunket, provides a post-graduate nursing diploma and NZQA accredited courses for independent providers as well as Plunket staff.
Plunket nurses/Tamariki Ora nurses
The Graduate Diploma for the Community Child and Family Health Promotion programme (commonly referred to as ‘the Plunket Nurse course’) is a 40-week post-graduate nursing diploma accredited through NPCC (the Polytechnics) for registered nurses. Plunket delivers the programme nationwide and provides support and learning for the individual course members. Health providers other than Plunket, who pass the programme are referred to as Tamakiri Ora nurses. These programmes are delivered in partnership with Whitireia Community Polytechnic.
As its name suggests, the programme has a particular emphasis on community child and family health promotion. The programme content includes: early childhood nutrition; breastfeeding; parenting skills; child growth and development; oral health; child safety and protection, cultural differences; depression; grief and grieving; reducing family violence; human rights and advocacy; women’s health and community nursing – to name just a few.
Along with compulsory tutorials and assignments, course participants undertake practical work in the community alongside clinical educators who are qualified Plunket nurses.
This year ten Tamariki Ora nurses, two Pacific Well Child nurses and six Tamariki Ora Kaiawhina, employed by Iwi and Maori, and Pacific organisations, took part in the courses.
Plunket Kaiawhina/Tamariki Ora Kaiawhina
Kaiawhina are Plunket-trained Maori health workers, working in their own communities to support families and help them to access health and support services and information. Kaiawhina work in partnership with local Iwi, Maori health providers and other community agencies, as part of the Plunket team. The course is a 40-week NZQA accredited course at level 4.
Community Karitane
Community Karitane are educated in a wide range of parenting and family health issues. They work in partnership with individual parents and with parent groups, offering practical support and education at Plunket facilities and in family homes. Community Karitane work as part of the Plunket team. This course is a 40-week NZQA accredited course at level 4.

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