Postgraduate funding opportunities

Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ) postgraduate funded programme (formerly known as Clinical Training Agency - CTA)

The following provides current information on the HWNZ postgraduate funded programme.

The Clinical Training Agency (CTA) which previously offered postgraduate funding has been renamed. It is now known as the Investment Relationships and Purchasing Arm of Health Workforce New Zealand. The funding will now be referred to as the HWNZ funding.

This is an exciting and positive opportunity, offered to registered nurses to pursue postgraduate education. Applications for funding are made annually to the postgraduate co-ordinator of the programme.

Registered nurses, who meet the criteria set by HWNZ, are eligible to apply for funding. The funding covers the cost of each paper, clinical release time and some travel and accommodation.

When applications are presented to clinical nurse managers, they must be accompanied by a career plan to ensure that the study undertaken meets the health target of the WDHB. Nurse managers, clinical nurse managers and nurse educators will be involved in the application process. Applications are submitted in October and are for the whole year.

At present there are approximately 211 registered nurses enrolled in HWNZ funded postgraduate study in the WDHB. You could be one of them!

Sections relating to HWNZ funding

Late applications are only considered on a case by case basis at the discretion of the DONM.

Process for submitting applications

Dates for applications to be submitted

Internal - 8 October 2011
External - 21 October 2011

Process for payment

Invoices

Unpaid invoices are sent directly to Nicola McKenzie at Percival Flats.

Clinical Release Time

All clinical release time is paid for. This covers the set study days trainees are asked to attend as part of their paper. Internal clinical release time is credited to your cost centre.
External applications must be made on official GST Invoices. These invoices should also include the travel & accommodation costs incurred by the trainee.

Travel and accommodation

Some travel and accommodation will be paid.

Internal trainees are asked to complete the reimbursement for travel & accommodation form and forward along with photocopies of petrol, travel and accommodation receipts to Nicola McKenzie at Percival Flats.

External trainees travel and accommodation costs are paid for by employer and then claimed back on GST invoice with clinical release time. If no claim for clinical release, trainees are asked to complete the reimbursement for travel & accommodation form and forward along with photocopies of petrol, travel and accommodation receipts to Nicola McKenzie at Percival Flats.

Priority framework for 2012 HWNZ funding

To establish transparency and equity in the HWNZ funding programme, the following priority funding framework has been developed. Ring fenced funding will only be allocated to the identified group: Primary and Rural therefore no framework applies here.

Within the hospital the following groups will receive priority:


Charge Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Educator positions	To show the Waikato District Health Board support to those in nursing leadership and management positions, these applications will receive high priority consideration for HWNZ funding
Those trainees already enrolled in the programme and working on postgraduate certificates, diplomas and masters qualifications
Those working in the areas which meet the requirements of the health targets	Diabetes, heart disease and stroke, severe mental illness and addiction, palliative care ,cancer and smoking related lung disease Population Priorities: Aged care Maori health Pacific peoples health Primary health Rural health, mental health and addictions Then any of the following (no priority order): Orthopaedics Burns and plastics Dermatology Eyes Renal Paediatrics/neonatal /child and family Womens health Sexual health
Nurse Practitioner pathway. Process for applying for nurse practitioner funding is considered on a individual basis. Please contact Sue Hayward Director of Nursing and Midwifery, if you are interested in following this pathway.

All papers enrolled in must be offered through a Nursing School.

Postgraduate nursing and midwifery education support group

Academic workshops – preparation for study, library skills, writing skills, research and literature search skills
Mentoring support in your area of specialisation
“Drop in” centre for immediate support at Percival Flats
Opportunity to present your research in a safe and supportive environment

Research club

A regular monthly forum – over tea or coffee - aimed at health professionals who are involved in postgraduate study or research.

Postgraduate nursing and midwifery education and support group: research club

Cafe chats

Cafe Chats are a support service offered to rural students by the Postgraduate Nurse Coordinator. This support service is offered through video conferencing to each of the rural areas. Dates are sent out each semester for this to occur.

Forms
If you are external to the Waikato DHB and are requiring reimbursement for travel, accommodation and clinical release time, please forward an official GST invoice. All Waikato DHB staff will have their clinical release time paid directly to their cost centre.
Career plan guidelines & template The attached career plan is a requirement of HWNZ and must be sighted by your CNM / Nurse manager when your application for funding is being signed off. This plan is for 2011 only. The document is 15 pages long but the actual career plan is 4 pages only . You may want to consider this when printing it off. Career plan This is the career plan in word format to enable you to complete on your computer and then print off.
Reimbursement for travel and accommodation This form is to be used by both Waikato DHB employees and those external to the DHB. Note: it is only used by those external to the DHB when they are not claiming for clinical release time.
Bio template for HWNZ Mentors This form is to be used when you are offering your services as a mentor within the Postgraduate Education Support Group. On receipt of this form we will make contact with you within two weeks. This will be to discuss with you the process used for mentoring. If this does not occur please contact Nicola McKenzie at Percival Flats. Ph 23559 (internal) or 021 241 5802.
Tertiary programme study leave form This form is used by Waikato DHB staff to apply for HWNZ funding. Information of where to send the form and the cut off date will be on the website.
Tertiary programme application to study form - Primary This form is for use by those who are NOT employed by the Waikato District Health Board to apply for HWNZ funding. The form must be signed by both the person applying for funding and also their manager. Information on when the application needs to be sent will be on the website.
Checklist for HWNZ funding application This checklist is designed to assist nurse managers and clinical nurse managers in making constructive decisions against the applications for study leave and HWNZ support.
Glossary Suggested ratings as requested by the spreadsheet.