Education
Mātauranga

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) involves recognising and giving credit for learning that has occurred through previous experience. This may include qualifications, life experience, work experience or other educational experience. This learning is measured against the learning outcomes of the programme.

Each provider must have a RPL policy and procedure to assess individual student/ākonga applications. These will be reviewed during accreditation, re-accreditation, and monitoring of the programme.

No RPL may be granted for the final clinical learning course/paper in the third year of the bachelor’s degree and pre-registration master’s programme. No RPL may be granted for the final clinical learning course in the diploma in enrolled nursing programme.

The Nursing Council does not have an English requirement for people entering nursing programmes that lead to either Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse registration (Bachelors or Masters). Instead, the Nursing Council provides a recommendation. The recommendation is that applicants whose first language is not English should achieve a score of 6.5 in each band in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic. It is at education providers' discretion if this needs to be achieved in one sitting or can be over multiple sittings in a 12-month period.

Using the Nursing Council’s recommendation an education provider may accept other English tests, with the recommendation being that this is of equivalency with the IELTS score recommendation.

At the completion of a programme leading to nursing registration the Nursing Council does not have a requirement for any further English assessment tests.

1. Student/ākonga requiring additional time



Under extraordinary circumstances, the head of school, along with the student/ākonga, may request (in writing) an extension of time from the Nursing Council. The request must detail the reasons for seeking this and be supported by evidence of student/ākonga progress in the programme to date (academic transcript) and details of the extraordinary circumstances with supporting evidence.

This is required when:

• Bachelor of Nursing: Student/Ākonga requires more than six years to complete their programme.
• Graduate Entry Master Programme: Student/Ākonga requires more than four years to complete their programme.
• Diploma in Enrolled Nursing: Student/Ākonga requires more than three years to complete their programme.


2. Student/Ākonga taking leave from a programme



In the event of a student/ākonga taking leave and applying to return to their studies, the provider must implement a process to assess the student/ākonga knowledge and level of competence to identify a point of re-entry to the programme.

Before accepting a student/ākonga from another programme in New Zealand, the provider must obtain a written reference from their previous head of school.

The point of entry to the programme must be identified through the RPL process to ensure the student/ākonga will meet all requirements of the programme.

The Council ensures accredited institutions are made aware of the requirements for registration as a registered or enrolled nurse, and the current policies to protect public safety. It also provides information and guidance on a range of issues related to nursing education.

The Council works closely with external quality assurance agencies such as the Committee on University Academic Programmes, (CUAP) and New Zealand Qualifications (NZQA). To help maintain and monitor the quality of nursing education programmes, the Council shares information it has obtained through its accreditation and/or monitoring processes, in a reciprocal arrangement with these agencies.

Find out more about accrediting and monitoring here.