Waiariki admits course stuff-up | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

By ABIGAIL CASPARI in Rotorua

Errors made in setting up a programme for enrolled nurses at Waiariki Institute of Technology have left almost 40 students up in the air.

"We don't know where we are," said one student, who did not want to be named.

She approached The Daily Post after being told the course was changing to four days a week next year. Students were told at the beginning of the course they would only be required for three days a week.

The woman is an enrolled nurse and is one of 37 enrolled nurses studying a Bachelor of Nursing programme.

The programme, which runs for two years and three months, began in September.

The student said she and many of the other students, some of whom work, were not happy with the change and some were considering dropping out.

"A lot of them have families. They work and a lot have to travel."

It is unclear whether the course is officially recognised by the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

The polytechnic's academic director, Gary Dender, insists the council, which governs the nursing profession, was aware of the course.

However, the student claims that when she approached the council, she was told it was not aware the course existed, throwing the nurses into a panic.

"There are a lot of stressed out nurses up there," she said.

Students were puzzled as to what might have happened if the nursing council had not been approached, she said.

"We would have sat two-and-a-quarter years and gone to the state final exam and the course wouldn't have existed.

"We would have been down the tubes."

The nursing council's chief executive, Marion Clark, refused to comment on whether the council had previously known about the programme.

She said the students had met with Mr Dender and he had admitted the institute had made a mistake.

Mrs Clark said the nursing council had been made aware of a few issues involving the enrolled nursing students and it was working with Waiariki to ensure all standards of the Bachelor of Nursing were met.

"We are very confident that will happen."

She said she was not prepared to reveal the issues, as they were matters between the institute and the students.

However, the issues would not jeopardise their completing the degree and sitting the state final exam.

Mr Dender told The Daily Post the only mistake made was the amount of time students were required to allocate each week for the course.

It needed to be extended to four days so the students could complete all of the requirements.

"It would have been preferable if this had been picked up early."

The course was a new initiative set up at the request of the Bay of Plenty and Lakes district health boards.

Waiariki had been working with them on the course.

Mr Dender said he was aware students were concerned about the extended hours and he apologised.

He accepted some of those students were likely to drop out and he would deal with each of them on a case by case basis.

At present some of the students travel from Taupo, Tauranga and Whakatane to the Rotorua campus.

However, Waiariki is considering offering the programme in Tauranga next year.

Mr Dender said the students had two days of the course left this year.

He intended to get back to them with a proposal this week.

The head of nursing at the time the course began, Nina Hill, left Waiariki about six weeks ago for another position.

She was unable to be reached for comment.

Mr Dender was reluctant to comment on her role.

However, he said he would speak to her.