Southern nurse training hits milestone
A nurse training programme upskilling nurses at general practices to prescribe medications is celebrating 100 graduates, playing its part to boost the primary care workforce in the South Island-Te Waipounamu.
The Te Waipounamu RN Prescribing in Community Health programme enables nurses across the South Island to prescribe common medications such as antibacterials, pain management, gynaecological and urinary agents on top of their existing clinical care.
Community nurse prescribers can prescribe from a Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ)-approved medication list for the clinical management of minor ailments and illnesses.
The programme was developed and is delivered by WellSouth, the Southern primary health organisation (PHO) for Otago and Southland, in collaboration with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora – Nelson Marlborough. It is now available to nurses working throughout Te Waipounamu with the support of their employers and GPs or NPs, who are mentors.
The programme is delivered by WellSouth nurse education team, Nicky Burwood, Nurse Practitioner and Andie Lowry, Community Nurse Prescriber.
Ms Lowry, having previously completed the programme, acknowledges that the ability to prescribe empowers nurses to draw on their years of experience and knowledge to provide greater and more autonomous patient care.
“It’s great to be able to complete consultations with patients with common and minor complaints without them having to wait for an appointment with a general practitioner or a nurse practitioner,” she says.
Ms Burwood says that at a broader level, this is supporting primary health at a time when there are many constraints.
“Having more community nurse prescribers means more choice for patients as to who they can see, reducing wait times and supporting holistic relationships between nurses and their patients. Importantly, this also increases patient access to appropriate and timely treatment,” she says.
“This is important in a sector experiencing continued pressure to retain clinical staff, particularly in Te Waipounamu where many practices are rural,” she says.
“Continued professional development like this is keeping our primary care and community-based nurses working at the top of their scope, which is good for them, and is great for patients.”
“We’re proud of our nurses and of our achievement.”
Ms Burwood says that nurse prescribing promotes confidence, and some graduates from the programme have already commenced postgraduate study with the aim of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
WellSouth recently surveyed registered nurse (RN) prescribers across Te Waipounamu. The most common prescribed medications includes antibacterials, pain management, gynaecological and urinary agents within their daily expanded practice.
The programme spans seven months and incorporates a blended learning approach, including online modules, scheduled webinars, and clinical workplace learning, facilitated by an experienced prescribing colleague. Offered at no cost to nurses, this course enables nurses to graduate with NCNZ’s designated prescribing endorsement, as a RN prescriber in Community Health.
The first cohort commenced in February 2022. There are three cohorts every year, with around 15 students on each.
From left to right WellSouth’s nurse education team, Nicky Burwood, Nurse Practitioner and Andie Lowry, Community Nurse Prescriber.
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