Becoming a nurse practitioner

Nurse practitioners are highly trained health professionals with advanced education, clinical skills and legal authority to practise beyond the scope of registered nurses. They work independently and in teams to promote health, prevent disease and improve outcomes for patients. As lead healthcare providers, they diagnose and manage a wide range of health conditions, prescribe medicines, order tests, and admit or discharge patients.

How to become a nurse practitioner

To become a nurse practitioner in New Zealand you need to:

• Be a registered nurse in New Zealand with a current practising certificate
• Have at least three years of clinical experience in your area of practice when you start this pathway
• Complete a Nursing Council-accredited master’s degree, including advanced clinical courses and at least 300 hours of supervised clinical practice
• Demonstrate advanced nursing and prescribing competencies during your training
• Pass a Nursing Council assessment for registration as a nurse practitioner

NCNZ WEBSITE

Hear from our students

Alysha Clark

Nurse Practitioner, Manurewa Healthcare, Tāmaki Health
Master of Health Science in Advanced Nursing Practice

“I have a special interest in women’s health and love being able to support this from the primary healthcare level. The nurse practitioner training programme helped me build on my nursing knowledge, and introduced some aspects of the medical model into my advanced nursing practice. I’m now working as a nurse practitioner, which allows me to help increase patient access to primary care in the community.”

Laura Painter

Nurse Practitioner, Kingsland Family Health Centre
Master of Health Science in Advanced Nursing Practice with Honours (First Class)

“I had been employed as a nurse within primary care for 20 years and had been working at the top of my scope within a management role. I’d highly recommend the nurse practitioner path to other potential candidates. I found the content relevant to my daily practice, and transitioned into the nurse practitioner role feeling well prepared. I now feel empowered to take on leadership roles and be involved in innovation within healthcare.”

Vidhya M Vinayan

Nurse Practitioner, Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau
Master of Health Science in Advanced Nursing Practice with Honours (First Class)

“What I love most about this work is being able to make a difference in the lives of the small babies and their whānau. I never imagined that I’d become a nurse practitioner when I started studying a postgraduate certificate at AUT. I was seeking knowledge to improve my practice, but that knowledge opened new doors of opportunities and paved a way for personal growth for me.”

Gemma Clydesdale

Registered Nurse and Associate Charge Nurse Manager, Dunedin Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Dunedin
Master of Health Science in Advanced Nursing Practice student

“I love working in the NICU, and I want to be able to work at an advanced scope and make even more of a difference for whānau and their pēpi. I love the clinical side of work, alongside leadership and autonomy, so I figured that working towards becoming a nurse practitioner was the next natural step.”

Qualities of a nurse practitioner in New Zealand

• Advanced clinical expertise: Nurse practitioners have a high level of clinical knowledge and skills, enabling them to provide comprehensive care across various healthcare settings. They’re trained to assess, diagnose and manage patient care effectively.
• Critical inquiry skills: Through postgraduate nursing programmes at institutions like AUT, registered nurses develop critical inquiry skills essential for advancing their nursing practice. This includes the ability to analyse complex clinical situations and apply evidence-based practices.
• Flexibility and adaptability: They work in diverse environments, including tertiary and secondary hospitals, community services, primary care and public health. The ability to adapt to different clinical contexts and apply knowledge learned during their studies to various practice areas is crucial.
• Commitment to lifelong learning: The structured postgraduate programmes at AUT accommodate various stages of career development, enabling nurse practitioners to progress from new graduates to advanced clinical practitioners. This commitment to ongoing education is essential for maintaining high standards of care.
• Patient-centered care: Nurse practitioners are dedicated to working with clients, families and communities, emphasizing a holistic approach to healthcare. They focus on understanding the individual needs of patients and providing tailored interventions.
• Prescribing competence: Nurse practitioners are trained through approved prescribing programmes, preparing them for roles as a registered nurse prescriber or nurse practitioner. This competency enables them to manage medications and treatments effectively within their practice.
• Collaborative skills: Effective communication and collaboration with other healthcare professionals are vital as they often work as part of multidisciplinary teams, ensuring coordinated and comprehensive care for patients.
• Research and evidence-based practice: Nurse practitioners are encouraged to engage with research and use evidence-based practices in their clinical decision-making. This quality enhances the quality of care provided and contributes to the overall improvement of healthcare services.
• Cultural competence: Understanding and respecting the cultural backgrounds of patients is essential. Nurse practitioners must be equipped to provide culturally safe care, recognising the diverse population they serve.
• Leadership and advocacy: Nurse practioners often take on leadership roles within healthcare teams and advocate for the needs of their patients and communities. This advocacy is crucial for influencing healthcare policies and improving patient outcomes.