Published Wednesday 23 Oct 2019

The Mental Health, Addictions and Intellectual Disability Service (MHAIDS) has welcomed 13 new nurses to its specialist training programme.

The New Entry to Specialist Practice (NESP) programme equips and supports graduate and registered nurses to specialise in mental health, addictions and intellectual disability.

The programme involves clinical workplace learning, theory teaching at Whitireia New Zealand, and online and self-directed learning. It also guarantees NESP-registered nurses an additional year to assimilate into the role without the distraction of academic study.

“The programme is an important step in growing our mental health, addictions and intellectual disability workforce,” said MHAIDS general manager Nigel Fairley.

“It grows and encourages new staff into the profession under the guidance and mentorship of current experienced nurses.”

The intake brings the total number of nurses in the programme to 35, with recruitment having now commenced for a further 30 NESP nurses to start in February 2020.

Media contact: Chas Te Runa – 027 230 9571