Nurse Entry to Practice (NETP)

Upon completion of the NETP year, nursing graduates will meet competencies and standards of practice in order to progress to competent level on the Professional Development and Recognition programme (PDRP) determined by the Nursing Council of New Zealand and Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley District.

Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley District offers a post graduate nursing paper embedded within the NETP programme and assures graduates that on completion of the programme they will demonstrate competent nursing practice.

The primary focus of this paper is physical health assessment and making clinical judgements at a graduate nurse level. Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley District understands the demands and stresses faced by NETP graduates when they commence their first year of practice and are committed to provide both academic and clinical support. 

The Nurse Entry to Practice Programme (NETP) accommodates NETP graduates both within the hospital and primary care settings. The aim of the NETP programme is to provide graduate registered nurses support and professional development to facilitate their transition during their first year of practice.

Graduates will be informed of their clinical area prior to commencement. Once accepted, the terms of agreement for such placements are fixed for the NETP year.

Within clinical areas graduates will be expected to complete generic online learning packages, orientation work books, IV competency, and study days additional to and as well as NETP study days and assignments. Initially this appears to be an overwhelming amount of work.

It is strongly recommended that graduates utilise the knowledge and skills of their appointed preceptor, nurse educator, associate charge nurse managers and charge nurse managers within their clinical area.

The NETP coordinator is also available for clinical support and will visit frequently. The lecturers support graduate's academic needs within the programme.

Socialisation, orientation and clinical support is important to ensure that graduates engage in positive learning experiences within their clinical environment.

NETP graduates are supported in their clinical environment by a preceptor for the duration of their NETP programme. As part of their professional development requirements all NETP preceptors will have completed a workshop to enable their role. Preceptors are also required to be working toward or completed proficient level on the Professional Development and Recognition Programme.

NETP graduates can be assured that their preceptor is committed to ensuring their completion of the NETP programme. NETP graduates are encouraged to complete a preceptor workshop at the end of their NETP year.

See further details regarding the preceptorship and supervision programme.

Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley employs graduate nurses throughout the year through the NETP programme. The programme has start dates in January and August and you can be employed prior to these dates and join the programme.

You will be employed on a permanent contract to coincide with the programme start dates and work in one of your chosen practice settings. Contracts are either 32 or 36 hours per week (depending on whether the area works 8 - 12 hour shifts).

Steph White
NETP Coordinator, Workforce Development Unit