List of Schools for the Competency Assessment Program: New Zealand

Hi everyone, just posting here the list of schools accepting students for the CAP.
A few pointers: send application to all schools and institutions, accept slot offers immediately and ensure you have money ready for the tuition fee. I am unsure but I heard difficulty of finding a school due to the high number of applicants in and out of New Zealand. Some of the listed institutions below caters only to their own employees furthering their profession.

I would highly recommend contacting the schools rather than rely on what others experienced in this schools. Use them as basis but the best would be to hear from the schools personally and clarify questions.

Competence assessment programmes

Approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand

(Last updated July 2019)

   Ara Institute of Canterbury

Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Ara Institute of Canterbury

Madras St

PO Box 540

Christchurch 8140

    www.ara.ac.nz

Tel: 0800 24 24 76

    Avatar Institute of Learning

PO Box 7015 Fitzroy

New Plymouth

      www.avatarlearning.ac.nz

Tel: (06) 755 0558

    Bupa Care Services

(programmes available in Wellington) Level 10

14 Hartham Place

PO Box 50 – 642

Porirua 5022

    www.bupa.co.nz

Tel: 0800 60 80 99

    Eastern Institute of Technology

School of Nursing Gloucester Street Private Bag 1201 Hawke's Bay Mail Centre Taradale

Napier 4142

  www.eit.ac.nz

Tel: (06) 974 8000

    Lonsdale Education Centre

14 Robinson Street Foxton 4814

www.lonsdaleeducationcentre.co m CAP@lonsdalehospital.co.nz

Tel: (06) 363 8498

   Manukau Institute of Technology

Faculty of Nursing and Health Studies Private Bag 94 006

Manukau City

Auckland 2241

      www.manukau.ac.nz

 Tel: (09) 968 8736

   Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

School of Health, Fitness and Social Sciences 322 Hardy Street

Private Bag 19

Nelson 7042

  www.nmit.ac.nz

Tel: (03) 546 2472

    Northland Polytechnic

Nursing Department Raumaunga Valley Road Private Bag 9019 Whangarei 0140

      www.northtec.ac.nz

Tel: (09) 470 3555

    Oceania Group

Wesley Institute of Learning PO Box 9507

Newmarket

Auckland 1149

  www.wiol.co.nz

Tel: (09) 630 5173

    Otago Polytechnic

School of Nursing Forth Street Private Bag 1910 Dunedin 9054

      www.op.ac.nz

Tel: (03) 477 3014

    Rannerdale Veterans’ Care

Nurse Educator / CAP Coordinator 59 Hansons Lane

Upper Riccarton

North West

Christchurch 8041

    www.rannerdale.co.nz cap@rannerdale.co.nz

Tel: (03) 348 7128

   Rosebank Residential Homes

Staff Educator

77 Walnut Avenue Ashburton 7700

      www.rosebankhosp.co.nz admin@rosebankhosp.co.nz

Tel: (03) 308 0111

     Royal New Zealand Plunket Society

Level 5 Plunket 126 – 132

Lambton Quay PO Box 5474

Wellington 6145

only available to employees of the organisation

  Tel: (04) 471 1077

   Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

Department of Nursing and Health Studies Mokoia Drive

Whakarewarewa

Private Bag 3028

Rotorua 3046

    www.toiohomai.ac.nz

Tel: (07) 346 8999

    UCOL Universal College of Learning

Faculty of Health Science Cnr King and Princess Street Private Bag 11022 Palmerston North 4442

      www.ucol.ac.nz

Tel: (06) 952 7000

    Unitec New Zealand

School of Health Sciences

5-7 Ratanui Street, Henderson Private Bag 92025

Auckland 1142

    www.unitec.ac.nz

Tel: (09) 849 4180

    Waikato Institute of Technology

Centre for Health and Social Practice Tristram Street

Private bag 3036

Hamilton 3240

New Zealand

   www.wintec.ac.nz

Tel: (07) 834 8888

   Waitemata District Health Board

Nursing Advisor – Professional Development Nursing Development Service

Waitemata District Health Board

Private Bag 93 503

Takapuna 0740 New Zealand

    www.waitematadhb.govt.nz

 Tel: (09) 486 8900

   Western Institute of Technology Taranaki

20 Bell Street Private Bag 2030 New Plymouth 4342

      www.witt.ac.nz

Tel: 0800 948 869

    Whitireia New Zealand

Faculty of Health Wineera Road DX Box: SX33459 Porirua 5022 Wellington

   www.whitireia.ac.nz

Tel: (04) 237 3100

Keep going, almost there!! 

iLL- destined

so, on my last post, i wrote about this guy i fell madly, deeply in love with. he was gone for exactly 21 months. i was also told he was getting married last march of 2018 but i have no confirmation that it  happened. well, my ego and pride in the way, i unfollowed him on facebook.

then, last august, my friend and colleague told me Antibiotic (just one of my names for him) is back and is currently working at the same unit with me.

heart beating.. fast.. fast... and there he was standing in front of the board. so, what did i do? i ran away and made sure our paths never crossed. my friend did not tell him i was working there, as well.

the next day, i was still morning shift and i am resolute in avoiding him but of course, because of my deliberate escape mode, i still bumped him. He was surprised to see me at the unit and asked me to wait for him while he assisted the patient back to her bed.  Antibiotic followed me most of the day, still in disbelief that I resigned from the previous ward we worked at. He said he was surprised to see my referral coming from a different unit but thought i might have just been sent out for the day. He said he even planned to visit us at the previous ward.

Meanwhile, I so wanted to ask him why he returned but I did not have the courage to do it. Reflecting back on his return, I realized his effect on me is still there. I still have affection for him and he is still special. I am divided in wanting to work with him and not seeing him knowing he is with someone else already. 

On days that we work together, I think I've seen that look on his face, the surprise that I am not with the same people anymore, that I am actually working well with these new people he had no knowledge about. Many times, he tried to engage conversations with me but I would always say I am busy and he leaves me alone. I feel bad but unfortunately, I am really busy and I think he knows completing my jobs are very important for me. At the moment, i don't see him often, as I work mostly on night shifts. 

I am scared to work with him often again. I don't want to fall hard once more. I don't want to feel the pain I felt the last time. I don't want to see hope crash. I don't want the tears to flow uncontrollably. I don't want to cling hard out of helplessness. But I know I still like him, I ask myself several times if it just like, maybe deeper, maybe I do really love him.

I want to feel alive again. He made me feel inspired, to get up and go to work with enthusiasm, to be a more resourceful and creative person. Falling for him may have cause me hurt and heart wrenching pain but i cannot deny he also gave me happiness.

For now, the universe managed to cross our paths but not destined on the same direction or in filipino "Pinagtagpo pero hindi itinadhana".

I believe in fate or destiny and where it leads me, I pray it will be soon.

aLoNe in LoVe

Bear with me, this is my second time to write something about this. So, 35 years in existence and still going through single blessedness. "Don't tell me you're still single? You must be too choosy", frequent question and assumption that I hear from people close and not too close to me. I admit I just laugh it off or fire a cheeky response but lately, I have been easily annoyed with the question. I wish these people realize that no one wants to be single and be alone forever if they only have a choice. Unless, of course, if we choose a religious vocation.

I don't want to be alone, but on the other hand, I am unsure if I am ready to be in a relationship. Some days, I'm all for it then it changes. However, I would always comfort myself and psyche it by saying God sees I am not sure and specific with what  I want so, He still delays a romantic relationship that will involve me. I believe that when you meet someone, perspective changes. Here's a story of me falling in love, I guess.

November 2015, I met this guy at the hospital, I work as a nurse and he was working as an Antibiotic (sorry, can't really say his profession, just in case my friends will read this.. lol). I noticed him immediately because he was a new person at the ward and he was staring at me (maybe, wondering if I'm a human being or a mutated animal or because I was my usual loud self the first time we met). We were entering the ward for the PM shift and he was writing notes at the reception area. It took me a month before I can actually speak to him, I know, too wimpy of me. But then, I just noticed he stared a lot and I get really conscious. I always did my best with my patients, consciously, I wanted to impress him and I made sure all the informations he needed was written on my nursing notes and referrals. I would even go the extra mile and call facilities to personally inquire about patient's status, not that I was not supposed to but I didn't have to do it. I would like to believe he noticed it as he started asking me to inform other nurses to do the same. On his 3rd month on the ward, I heard he might be leaving and get rotated. My heart sunk when I heard that, I was convinced then that I was falling for him or I may have fallen already. But pride was saying it was just a crush, after all, I was working with him almost on a daily basis.

Fortunately, he was not rotated to other ward but then it was I who had to leave the ward for almost 2 months for a hospital project. Those times, I found ways to visit the ward primarily to catch a glimpse of him. I succeeded and I was able to engage in conversations with him. I went back to the ward and I promised myself I will be talking to him more often. 

Antibiotic and I always sit at the same area. Since I started at the ward, that was the area where I always liked to write my notes. When he came in, often, he would be sitting there and I would push myself and sit beside him. Other times, if I get to sit at the area first, he sits beside me. We'd joke around but there's still this awkward breath between us that I know is palpable or possibly, I'm the only one awkward. The following months, was a joy, I hated doing morning shift but I liked it because of him. 

For 2 weeks he was assigned to another ward, then I had to leave for a couple of weeks to the USA for my sister's graduation. We did not see each other but I stalked👀 him on Facebook (a talent, 👏), we were not friends but I was too much of a wimp to add him as a friend. I saw him when I returned to the ward and he took a double look at me because I cut my hair. After the  MDT meeting, he quickly walked with me and flicked my hair, "Looks good", he said and put his arm over my shoulder. These are simple things he would do that sends shivers in my spine. Every time we take photos, he is beside me and he would always make fun of me;  put fingers at the back of my head, use my head as his chin rest or attempt to kiss my acne scarred cheek while I'm busy smiling for the camera, startle me at every opportunity he gets (he knows I scare easily).

He became more comfortable with me and I can say we had a very comfortable working relationship despite me having  very "malicious" feelings towards him. October 4, 2016 was one of the funnest day ever, I woke up and found a friend request from him on Facebook. I felt like it was a jackpot, I felt special. He was in Melbourne when he did the request, he was visiting his mum who was sick that time. I became more positive that we are getting closer.

The good feeling did not last long, as the next week,  I heard he was leaving the hospital, it was one of the worst day ever. I can feel my heart break into pieces, my eyes tearing up so, I excused myself and went to the toilet and composed myself. I did not want anyone to see me cry. I was scared they will know his  resignation was affecting me big time. I admit I felt betrayed with his resignation, just a week before, we were talking about my fellow nurses leaving the ward and he said that he did not have any plans when I asked him.

The following days were quiet for both of us. We were not ourselves, we still sit together often but the jokes and talks were barely there. Finally, when it was announced that he has resigned, I caught him several times looking at me. The next morning, I was entering the medication room when he came to the ward, I did not say anything and went in but he followed. I was not able to hold myself and said "You're leaving us, you don't like us anymore", I said this jokingly but my voice I guess betrayed it. I was near tears and I didn't want to cry, there were other nurses at the room. He quickly explained that he really liked working with us, hence, choosing to stay at the ward for almost a year. I cannot listen to him and went out of the room and pretended to be busy in front of the computer. He followed and sat beside me in silence.

It was the worst month of my life, I wanted to smile but I just can't. On his last day at work, I was dreading it, I wanted to curse him coz it was 2 days before my birthday but I did my best front and still organized his afternoon tea. This was the time I hated being one of the social club member. I made cheesecake and made sure it was his favorite flavour. I did not go at the staff room while they were having the afternoon tea and opted to stay at the floor. I was unsure I will be able keep myself strong and tearless. He immediately hugged me when they came back on the floor and asked why I was not at the staff room. I just shrugged my shoulders, he stared at me and said loudly that he loved the cheese cake. 

His farewell drinks marked the last time we'd see each other, I will always cherish the hugs but I know, that's just it already. I was grateful that I was going to Queenstown the next day and I was distracted for a while. I expected greetings from him on my birthday, unfortunately, nothing. Lesson learned: Never EXPECT and ASSUME. I discovered he went for tramping that weekend. I was praying he would greet me after returning from the camping but still nothing. I resolved that I will move on and forget about him and many times I thought I was doing a good job but simple things about him affects me so much. Then one of my fellow nurse said that he and I were really close as we are always sitting together so they reckon I really feel sad because of him and it was okay to be sad.

I discovered he is with someone and they have been together for some time already. I laughed at myself for not thinking of this, I just blamed myself for being so gullible. 

Am I still hoping for a happy ending with him? I don't know, but until now, my heart aches for him. I never thought his effect will last this long, I have now accepted that I fell in love with him. I know he's happy and I'm happy for him. Am I dreaming impossibly that the universe will somehow send a message to him and see me in a different way? Yes! It's rubbish but if there's one thing I'm holding to is love, it is my Only Hope. If not with him, but to someone else.

Some day, I hope we'll see each other again and both of us happy even if not together.

**Disclaimer: I do not own any of the photos.

b R o K e N

i thought i was kidding and not being serious when i said i was broken hearted when he left. i thought i was going to be prepared because i have known all along that he will not stay permanently; that he can always be transferred. i never expected though that he was just going to leave totally to another facility. my world crashed, it was the hardest thing to pretend a smile but which i did for a second and i had to leave the room. I can't continue pretending. I can't let them see me affected.

we were not together, we were never a couple but i thought there was something there, i saw sparks and twinkles.

i'm hurting, so bad that i don't have the drive and determination i used to. i am not beautiful, but i thought it was not a problem. he treated me differently compared to other nurses. he teased, bashed and joked around me. was he just amused with me because i can be raucous and loaded with lame jokes?

i want to cry but it won't just flow! i waited and waited for him to message even if just to say "Happy Birthday" but nothing.

now, a few weeks since he left and i have to knock my head and learn to accept that he is not coming back, that he moved on and all those thinking and thoughts are ASSUMPTIONS! A big fat ASSumption. did i assume too much he liked me back? did i read those signals wrong?

my friend said i was just dropped like a hot potato and it hurts too much to admit that I was. I knew that I just assumed too much because I really liked him, that everything he did meant something more than what was intended.

they tell me I'm not myself since I discovered he was leaving and it's true. Until now, there's a struggle to be happy at work but I'm doing my best. i'm grieving and at the moment, I believe i'm on my way to the 4th stage. I am sad, I am unhappy but I am praying these feelings of depression and sadness will go away soon. 

I pray that day will come when I will meet that someone and all the broken pieces will reflect and sparkle the happiness that we'll both share. that the assumptions will be realities and the signals are pointing on the same direction.

I will wait for that day, and I know I will be happy!

**Disclaimer: I do not own any of the photos.

✞✞✞ when ethics and palliative care collide!! ☤☤☤

Aging process becomes an eye opener, how those once keen and sharp minds end to this muddled and often confused state.  But all the joy comes back when their wits turns to the innocent (some perceive it as stupid) and child like questions and antics. Well, i won't generalize it for everybody, some wallow in loneliness and develop anti- social behavior. But that's where the magic of nursing care arises and paves the way for the older adults to live a life, if not to the fullest but with dignity and quality.

Then comes the hardest part, when the client's condition spirals down and the family and the ceiling of care has been established. Palliative care has played an increased significance to the population, young and old age. Palliative care is generally accepted here in New Zealand and it does offer the best option to several health condition. Quality of life is assessed and discussed between the health team, family and the patient (well, if they are still compos mentis). 

Issues emerge when patients are classified as palliative care. I suppose because some people don't understand what Palliative care is or it could be culturally motivated. Often, you hear the word euthanasia during conversation, is palliative care a form of euthanasia? Why do they have this notion? From this human's little brain's opinion, primarily due to the use of medication to alleviate their pain and distress. And which we know this medication can also hasten the life of the patient.

Is euthanasia ethical? Or mercy killing showing mercy at all? Controversies that have been debated over and over again. I grew up a Catholic and I intend to die a Catholic. And my faith tells me to respect life, to be proactive and yet I am here doing the opposite, or is it really the opposite? Was I involved in assisted killing when all we wanted is to keep him comfortable in his/her last hours? 

I will fervently say "NO", I did the right thing but for someone else, I did a terrible action despite the fact it is a part of my job to follow the plan of the collective planning of several disciplines including the family and patient allowed. Was I comfortable giving medications? If I believe this was euthanasia, do I have the right to refuse the plan and let other nurses administer medications for me? Will I get upset after a patient dies hours after I started their infusions or given them medications?

If there's one thing I mastered, it is to be objective. The patient's comfort is the priority, I feel shit after but I have learned to overcome the guilt and punch myself back to reality. As a Nurse, I have seen how a comfortable and quiet death impacts on a family. The Palliative Care assists from end of life care to family support and this leads to a different scenario of misery to acceptance and being able to live the rest of their lives of their choosing and ending it with a bang.

No one will win and judgement to who is right will be known when we eventually face Him. 

💞💞💞C H I N A 💞💞💞 L O V E 💞💞💞

9 years has passed since I first stepped into the wintry foreign land of China. I never expected or thought of being ever to be in this country, not as a Nurse anyway. I was very ambivalent with my feelings as I made my way to the customs area. The feeling of uncertainty increasing as I was getting lost at the airport and the people I approached walked away immediately as soon as I opened my mouth. As the airport staff rummaged through my luggage, I was hanging by a thread to keeling over out of nervousness. The seemingly unending luggage checking came to an end and they allowed me to get out. As I looked around the throng of people waiting for their loved ones, I was feeling that urge again to turn back and demand for a ride back to the Philippines.

I thought someone calling my name amidst the chaos was the sweetest sound I ever heard in my life. There in the horde of humans were two people jumping up and down to catch my attention. I readily burst with energy and forced them to listen to my barrage of "how the english language failed me in china". Th enthusiasm of being in the red country started to creep into my system as I watched through the car's window and quickly the landscapes and people flicked by.

Entering the building of New Hope Foundation in Beijing for the first time met me with trepidation as this little girl met us. I never saw a blue baby in my life and here greeting me with the brightest smile was one. She reached her hand and I instantly held it, it was expectedly cold and purple, I was about to carry her when her nanny approached us and led her away pointing at her wet trousers.

Jenny who was responsible for pushing me to apply for the job gave me an overview of how the foundation was operating and what kind of paediatric conditions were being admitted at the foundation's different unit but I was still surprised to see and discover the number of babies afflicted with these various conditions, most of which I only have seen and read on my nursing books before. 

These conditions has kicked in to me hardly, I was scared and my confidence plummeted 6,000 feet below sea level. I was silently castigating myself for putting myself into the situation and not preparing myself emotionally and mentally. But with the people around me, I was able to rally around and find solace in my new environment.

I learned slowly to see beyond that beneath those unfocused eyes were sparkly and laughing mirrors of joy. The gaping lip and split palate emanates the most radiant smile that melts the heart and the sweetest hug and slobbery kisses envelope your whole person with love's purity. 

Loneliness and longing are part of these love but undeniably, witnessing the children's lives changing for the better and best overwhelms the sadness felt of losing many of them which is an often occurring tragic reality.

8 years since I left, memories are still as vivid as if it happened yesterday. these children and nannies have learned to trust and love each other, and this writer has been given the most amazing opportunity to witness and experience it. Loving a stranger unconditionally is the greatest emotion this has sparked and it will always linger in the heart.

Thank you for the love! 

Why i L O V E Aged Care

Aged Care Nursing does not hold the same esteem as Nurses working in acute hospital settings. Some moments I feel the same, working initially at the Aged Care Facility (ACF) was not my first plan but fate turned me to its direction and I cannot be happier and feel blessed to be given the chance to experience this noble and very caring aspect of Nursing. My perspective turned 360 degrees around and I learned so much of myself wile working in the ACF. I never knew I could be patient, but indeed, my patience was stretched farther that what I have expected.

I admit it's not always a bed of roses, arguments and stress fill the day if not most of it but that's when you realize that these arguments and stress happen because you care and you wanted what's best not only for yourself or the staff but most because of your patients.

I cried many times, not only because I pity the residents but more on my own frustration to look after my elders. The ACF has opened my eyes to how lonely my parents had been when most of their seven children spread their wings and flew out of the nest. I appreciated them more than ever and despite having some issues with them, I know that I will always be there with them. And working in the ACF has both filled a big part of longing for my parents and appreciating all their hard wok and love they have bestowed their children unconditionally.

I now work at an Acute Hospital setting and I still get to look after the older population but the bond and rapport you build is nothing compared when you are given time to nurture and build a relationship not only with the patient but with their family and friends.

I found this video on the internet and just had a big impact on the realities of aging. Enjoy the video.
http://www.sun-gazing.com/set-hidden-camera-capture-elderly-lady-home-alone-tore-heart/