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EIT’S Nursing Programmes Power Ahead

November 16, 2008

EIT’s Bachelor of Nursing degree continues to attract strong enrolment interest, with would-be students wait-listed for the last three intakes.

Programme coordinator and assistant head of school Judy Searle said demand was the highest it had been since she joined EIT’s staff in 1999. Waiting lists were needed for the second semester intake of 2007 and again for both intakes this year.

With EIT still recruiting for next year’s intakes, Judy urged anyone interested to enrol promptly.

“Potentially we can accept 70 students in the first intake in February and 50 in July, but this year the number interested in the programmes was much higher. There was also a waiting list for the Certificate in Foundation Studies for Nursing, Recreation and Sport Science. ”

Most of the students are drawn from Hawke’s Bay – where school-leavers are able to save on fees by taking advantage of EIT’s Year 13 degree study grant – as well as Manawatu, Taupo and Gisborne. Overseas students include a number who came from India this year to do the programme.

Judy believes a combination of factors could account for growing interest in EIT’s nursing programmes.

Covering the gamut of nursing qualifications – from certificate programmes through to the Master of Nursing degree, which prepares advanced practitioners – EIT had established a sound reputation over its 27-year involvement in nurse education.

“Last year, the Nursing Council carried out their routine five-year audit of the Bachelor of Nursing programme. Not only did EIT meet all criteria, the council’s report also offered excellent comments and positive feedback for the institute.”

Students found academic staff flexible and approachable, and they emphasised that their study programme also encouraged personal growth and development.

EIT nursing students achieve outstanding pass rates on the Nursing Council examination for registration, Judy says. “I don’t think we have ever presented a student who didn’t pass the State exams. We have had had some of the country’s top achieving graduates and continue to record high calibre passes.”

Judy puts that academic success down to the quality of EIT’s staff and resources – which include the award-winning Clinical Arts and Technology Centre.

Building on the institute’s strong clinical partnership with the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, graduates are offered a wide range of clinical placements from Wairoa to Waipukurau.

The degree is also popular as a qualification because it is portable and transferable to other countries, including Australia and Canada.