26 May 2006
106 new Well Child graduates . and all have jobs
A hundred and six Well Child Nurses, Tamariki Ora Kaiawhina, Community Karitane and Pacific health workers graduated
today at a special ceremony at Papakura Marae.
Fifty one of the Well Child Nurses graduating with a Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Specialty Nursing
are employed by Plunket from as far north as Whangarei to as far south as Twizel.
Maori Health providers from Kaitaia to Kaikoura employ 14 Tamariki Ora Nurses and a registered nurse from Waiheke Island
has also attained the Postgraduate Certificate.
Plunket also employs the 13 Community Karitane and nine Plunket Kaiawhina graduating with the National Certificate in
Tamariki Ora - Well Child Services. A further 15 Kaiawhina who work for Iwi health providers and three Pacific health
workers also graduated.
Linda Polaschek, Plunket's National Education Manager, said the graduates were vital in the delivery of the Government's
Primary Healthcare Strategy and Well Child Framework.
"These 106 health professionals work at the forefront of community health care delivery. They are specialty nurses and
health workers making an important contribution to the health of New Zealand families with children under five," she
said.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Specialty Nursing is the equivalent of two papers of a Masters
degree, and replaces what was commonly known as the 'Plunket Nurse Course'. Development of the postgraduate
qualification was driven by the Primary Health Care Strategy, the Nursing Council of New Zealand and the need for post
registration nursing qualifications to reflect that a Bachelor of Nursing is the entry to the profession.
The programme, designed for nurses new to Well Child nursing, was developed by Plunket and is delivered in partnership
with Whitireia Community Polytechnic.
Every year, Plunket Nurses and a growing number of Maori and Pacific providers, bring their specialist skills to over
half a million visits in family homes, Well Child clinics, and Plunket Karitane Family Centres.
Background
Plunket Nurses/Tamariki Ora Nurses
The Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Specialty Nursing is a 40-week postgraduate nursing programme
accredited through NZQA for registered nurses.
Plunket delivers the programme accredited to Whitireia Community Polytechnic, twice-yearly, nationwide and provides
support and learning for the individual course members. Nurses other than Plunket employees, who successfully complete
the programme are referred to as Tamariki Ora Nurses or Well Child Nurses.
The programme has a particular emphasis on community child and family health promotion. Its 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.
Along with compulsory tutorials and assignments, course participants undertake practical work in the community alongside
Clinical Educators who are qualified Plunket nurses.
Plunket Kaiawhina/Tamariki Ora Kaiawhina/Pacific Health Workers
Kaiawhina are Plunket-trained Maori and Pacific health workers, working in their own communities to support families
and help them to access health and support services and information. Plunket Kaiawhina work in partnership with local
Iwi, Maori and Pacific health providers and other community agencies, a 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.
ENDS