Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate in Health Science

The Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Health Science is aimed towards qualified registered nurses and midwives who wish to develop advanced practice skills.   Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science graduates will be able to develop innovative, effective, efficient and high quality approaches to health care delivery, within the defined scope of practice. Each paper offered in the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Health Science is equivalent to 30 credits at 400 level (NZQA level 8).

HS401 Advanced clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning (8 study days)

This paper enables the student to develop, conduct and critically reflect on advanced nursing/midwifery health assessment and diagnostic reasoning in the individuals specialised scope of practice. Students will demonstrate competencies and skills consistent with New Zealand Nursing Council competencies for nurse practitioners.

2013 dates on campus: 21 Feb, 21 March, 23, 24 April, 22, 23 May and 13, 14 June

HS402 Advanced pathophysiology for health professionals (2 study days)

This paper builds upon undergraduate study and the professional clinical knowledge embedded in practice. The paper will explore complex adult and child disease processes in order to support advanced diagnostic reasoning for these client groups. This paper assumes knowledge of normal physiological function and directs the student towards a progressive and more critical understanding of altered, complex health states.

2013 dates on campus: 19 Feb and 6 June

HS403 Research for practice

Not offered in 2013

HS405 Ethical concepts and legal issues for advanced practice

Not offered in 2013

HS409 Applied pharmacology (2 study days)

Building on undergraduate preparation in pharmacotherapeutics and clinical practice, this paper develops understanding of pharmacologic principles used to support the delivery of care to clients in various settings. Diagnostic, nutritional and pharmacotherapeutic agents affecting major body systems are studied. 

2013 dates on campus: July 9 and Oct 31

HS410 Advanced practice to support elder wellbeing

Not offered in 2013

HS412 Advancing practice (This paper enables practitioners to develop advanced practitioner skills within the individual's specialised scope of practice. Through the use of a professional portfolio, practitioners will demonstrate competencies consistent with an advanced practitioner role, leadership, consultancy, involvement in standard and policy setting and monitoring, research and theory utilisation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expert clinical practice.

2013 dates on campus: 9, 10 July, 5, 6  Aug, 2, 3 Sept, 2, 30 Oct.

HS413 Clinical teaching and learning

Whether it be health promotion, assisting a patient to develop knowledge and skills to manage self care, preceptoring  new staff, managing or supervising staff, mentorship or providing in-service staff education, the nurse has the responsibility of teaching others. this paper requires the student to critically examine and evaluate theories of teaching and learning and critique their application in relation to their practice.

2013 dates on campus: 20 Feb, 12, 13 Mar, 16, 17 Apr, 14, 15 May 19 June

HS414 Substitute paper

This paper must be a NZQA level 8 paper of the equivalent of 30 credits offered by an approved tertiary education provider. Students are advised to discuss with the programme manager the possibility of undertaking a level 8 paper offered by another educational provider and the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process before finalising their study programme. Cross-crediting a paper from another postgraduate qualification towards this qualification will be represented as 'HS414 Substitute Paper' on your academic transcript.

Programme Structure

To complete Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science: students must complete HS401(compulsory) and one other paper chosen to reflect the student's area of clinical specialisation.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science is a 120 credit, Level 8 programme. Papers may be completed as two years of full time study or four years of part time study.

Students must complete HS401 and HS412 (compulsory) and two other papers from the following list:

HS402     Advanced pathophysiology

HS409     Applied pharmacology

HS413     Clinical teaching and learning

HS414     Substitute paper

Please note: There will be a full day optional orientation  for all enrolled Postgraduate Health Science students on 18 February 2013.

Graduates will be able to demonstrate advanced nursing competencies as measured against Nursing Council of New Zealand Advanced Nursing Practice competencies. This will enable graduates to obtain clinical nurse specialist positions and leadership positions.

Limitation on places

Entry to the programme is limited by the number of places available.  These places may be apportioned between different categories of eligibility and modes of study. A minimum of one year full time post registration experience and so thus one year in clinical practice at the discretion of the programme manager is required.

The normal requirement for entry is an undergraduate degree in Health Science, Nursing and or Midwifery. It is expected that applicants will be in current clinical practice. 0.4 full-time equivalent position is the expected minimum.  However, applicants who are unable to meet this will be assessed by the postgraduate programme co ordinator to ensure they have appropriate clinical placements.

Where an applicant does not hold an undergraduate degree in Health Science, Nursing and or Midwifery, evidence of extensive professional practice and scholarly achievement to the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree is to be presented in a curriculum vitae accompanied by a statement about advanced practice and postgraduate goals for the future.

All candidates, both international and permanent residents of New Zealand, from countries where English is not the primary spoken language, require satisfactory achievement of tertiary studies in a country where English is the language of instruction, or an IELTS Academic English language test overall score of 7 that includes a score of at least 7 in reading, listening, writing and speaking. 

Where preparation is sought for advanced nursing practice, the applicant must also:

• be a registered nurse
• hold a current practising certificate
• demonstrate specialty nursing practice competencies within a defined scope of practice. 

All enrolments in the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science are at the discretion of the academic and relationship manager in consultation with the programme manager and head of faculty as required.

In order to be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science, the student will have been credited with all required papers as specified in the programme schedule.

To be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science at SIT, the student will have been credited with HS401 HS412 plus two other papers of choice as specified in the structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science.

The total credit value of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science is 120 credits.