New consortium supporting the future of Nurse Practitioners
A newly formed consortium of six leading primary health organisations is delighted to announce it will deliver the Nurse Practitioner Training Support Scheme (NPTSS) across Aotearoa for the next three years. The consortium, made up of Mahitahi Hauora, Pegasus, Pinnacle, ProCare, Tu Ora Compass Health, and WellSouth, will lead the implementation and rollout of the programme designed to support registered nurses through the final practicum year of their Master of Nursing qualification and into their new scope of practice as Nurse Practitioners (NPs). ProCare is the lead provider for the consortium.
Each year, 180 registered nurses will be supported through the scheme, with 120 places allocated to primary and community care, and 60 to specialist areas such as mental health and emergency departments. The programme is open to eligible nurses working in any health setting across the motu, not just those affiliated with the consortium. The NPTSS offers a comprehensive package of support including funding, mentoring, and clinical supervision for the NP trainees.
Anna Wright, Nursing Director for the consortium, says: "Nurse Practitioners (Matanga tapuhi) have been operating in the New Zealand health system since 2001. It is wonderful to see the introduction of this new support scheme, which is about building a stronger, more sustainable health workforce. Nurse Practitioners are a vital part of a collaborative, team-based approach to primary care and together, we can improve access to care and deliver better outcomes for our communities. We're committed to ensuring that Nurse Practitioners are well prepared, well supported, and integrated into multi-disciplinary teams. This is about expanding capacity, not shifting roles – and ultimately, it's about improving access to care for people across Aotearoa," says Wright.
"We recognise the critical role clinicians play in training and mentoring Nurse Practitioners. That's why this programme includes support for clinicians who are helping to grow the next generation of advanced practitioners," points out Wright.
"This initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when primary care organisations work together. By combining our expertise and resources, we are able to deliver a programme that benefits nurses, practices, and most importantly, the people and communities we serve," concludes Wright.
Applications are now open for eligible nurses.
