Nursing Students Achieve 99% Pass Rate

UCOL nursing students have achieved an impressive pass rate in their final exams late last year.

UCOL�s Bachelor of Nursing students at Wanganui, Palmerston North, Masterton and Gisborne reached a 99% pass rate in their State Final Exams.

The exam is the final requirement for students who wish to be recognised as Registered Nurses by the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

UCOL Director of Nurse Education, Brian Gilchrist, says all the students and staff worked very hard throughout the three year degree. "It�s a very good result, and we are very pleased. It�s good news for everyone in the community."

The results top a successful year for the UCOL School of Nursing, and come shortly after the announcement of the approval of a new curriculum for 2009.

Brian says the updates to the Bachelor of Nursing programme reflect recent developments in nursing and health care, and the curriculum will be delivered in a way that focuses on the learning needs of the individual student.

"We are always looking for progressive ways to keep our students at the forefront of nurse training, and to give them the best possible education and start to their career. We are looking forward to introducing the new curriculum in 2009."

The new programme, which commences in February, will be available at UCOL�s three campuses; Wanganui, Palmerston North and Masterton, and is also offered to students in Gisborne at Tairawhiti Polytechnic.

Brian says the successful exam results and the approval for the new curriculum by the Nursing Council and the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics Quality (ITPQ) panel is recognition that UCOL�s nursing training is relevant and up to date, and teaches what students need for working in the health care industry.

Members of the Council and ITPQ panel visited the campuses in September to assess the new curriculum, and discuss the proposed changes with senior staff. Brian says the panel was impressed with the preparations and presentations.

The new curriculum�s approval tops another successful year for the UCOL School of Nursing. In October last year, the school celebrated the fifth birthday of nurse training at Whanganui UCOL with a tea party for students and supporters of the school.

For more information please contact:

Brian Gilchrist, UCOL Director of Nurse Education: 06 952 7001 extn 70463,

021 190 0055.

Karoline Tuckey, UCOL Communications Coordinator: 06 952 7001 extn 70348,

021 190 2447.