This comprehensive course is meticulously designed to prepare internationally qualified nurses (IQNs) for the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) Theoretical Examination. This computer-based, multiple-choice exam is a crucial step towards registration as a Registered Nurse in New Zealand, assessing your knowledge, critical thinking, and ability to provide safe and effective nursing care within the New Zealand healthcare context.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of fundamental nursing principles and their application in diverse clinical settings.
• Master medication safety and fluid management principles, including accurate dosage calculations and adherence to New Zealand-specific protocols.
• Apply critical thinking and clinical judgment to complex patient scenarios, making sound decisions for effective nursing care.
• Articulate professional responsibilities, ethical considerations, and legal frameworks governing nursing practice in New Zealand, including the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA) and the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.
• Integrate culturally safe care principles, with a particular focus on the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) in New Zealand healthcare.
• Understand and apply New Zealand healthcare policies, systems, and interdisciplinary collaboration in patient management.
• Develop effective time management and exam-taking strategies to confidently navigate the IQN Theoretical Examination.

Course Content:

The course is structured to cover the two main parts of the IQN Theoretical Examination:

Part A: Medication Safety

• Medication calculations (e.g., dosage, infusion rates)
• Principles of safe medication administration
• Fluid balance and intravenous fluid safety
• Drug interactions and adverse effects
• Protocols and guidelines related to medication and fluid management

Part B: Nursing Knowledge

• Management of Nursing Care:
  • Patient assessment, prioritizing, decision-making, planning, delivery, and evaluation of nursing care.
  • Infection prevention and control.
  • Long-term condition management.
  • Care of the deteriorating patient.
  • Nursing fundamentals across various specialties (e.g., medical-surgical, cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, maternal health, mental health).
• Professional Responsibility:
  • Ethical and legal safety in nursing practice.
  • Culturally safe care and the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  • Delegation and supervision.
  • Maintaining safe and effective practice environments.
  • Professional conduct and codes of practice.
• Interpersonal Relationships and Interprofessional Healthcare:
  • Therapeutic relationships and partnership in care.
  • Effective communication within the healthcare team.
  • Records management and information exchange.
  • Consumer rights and advocacy.

Teaching Methodology:

This course employs a blended learning approach, utilizing:

• Interactive lectures and discussions
• Case studies and scenario-based learning
• Practice quizzes and mock examinations mimicking the IQN exam format
• Review of key NCNZ competency standards, guidelines, and policies
• Access to supplementary readings and resources

Who Should Enroll:

This course is ideal for internationally qualified nurses who have applied for registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and are required to sit the IQN Theoretical Examination as part of their competence assessment process.