Application for Reco Prior Learning - Nursing

Te Hoe Ora
Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health








APPLYING FOR RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
INTO THE BACHELOR OF NURSING PROGRAMME FOR

INTERNATIONAL QUALIFIED NURSES

CONTENTS 1
1
Introduction 2
General Information 3
The Application Process
Guidelines for the Application Process 5
Descriptors of Year One Courses Available for Recognition of
Prior Learning

S:\FH\SoNursingHumanServices\General Information\Procedures\International RN Application for RPL.docx

INTRODUCTION

For internationally qualified Registered Nurses who have two (2) or more years nursing
work experience within the last five (5) years please apply directly to the Nursing
Council of New Zealand.

If you do not meet the above criteria you will need to apply for Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL) and complete a minimum of 2 years full study in the Bachelor of Nursing
degree at Ara Institute of Canterbury.

Applying for the Bachelor of Nursing and Recognition of Prior Learning

All applicants for RPL in New Zealand must have the necessary qualifications and
experience, be fit for practice (this includes being able to communicate in and
understand English for the purpose of practising nursing), and be competent to practise
within their scopes of practice.

Educational equivalence

Applicants must meet the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) educational
standards for the entry to a degree. Qualifications will be assessed by Ara for
authenticity and equivalence. Information on entry to degrees in New Zealand can be
found on www.nzqa.govt.nz

GENERAL INFORMATION

Documents must be in English

All forms and documents for your application must be completed in English. If a
document is in a language other than English, you must provide an official certified
translation as well as a verified copy of the original document.

Applications are open for 12 months

Applications for the Bachelor of Nursing remain open for 12 months. If Ara does not
receive all the required documentation within 12 months, the application will expire.
Documents may be destroyed after 12 months.

Retention of your information

If your application is successful, Ara will retain your forms and supporting
documentation. It is better not to send original documents (except where they have
been specifically requested), as Ara will not return documents while an application is
being processed.

Your privacy rights

Under the Privacy Act 1993, the information you supply in your application is
confidential to Ara. This information is used only for the purpose of processing your
application. You have the right to access and correct any of your personal information
that is held by Ara.

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Certified copies of documents
All copies of documents must be certified as true copies of the originals by a solicitor,
Justice of the Peace, notary public, or other person authorised to certify documents.
Unsuccessful applications
If you do not meet Ara’s requirements for RPL/credit recognition, then your application
will be declined.

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THE APPLICATION PROCESS

We will consider your application when all the required documents have been received.
We cannot tell you what the decision will be until your application has been assessed. All
application forms must be handed in at the Enrolments Desk located in the Atrium who
will also ensure your contact details are kept up to date.
The checklist below lists all the requirements for your application. It is provided to help
you ensure that your application is complete. We suggest that you tick each completed
item in the box on the right.
You must supply all the required documents with your application. If you do not supply
all the necessary documents, your application will be returned to you.

Stage One Checklist of Requirements

1. A completed Admission & Enrolment Form to apply for the BN

2. A completed Application for Credit Recognition Form (green form)

3. Application fee for Recognition of Prior Learning
(NZ$100 non-refundable plus Assessment time)

4. Certified copies of your:
Registration Certificate
English Language Assessment – IELTS (Academic Test) or
English Language Assessment (if a resident)

5. Original copies of your:
Curriculum Vitae
Two professional references
Evidence of name change (if applicable)

6. Certified copy of your Transcript

7. Certified copies of your Course Outlines / Descriptors

8. Certified copies of qualification

The Education provider must send these forms directly to Ara.

9. Portfolio providing evidence of how learning outcomes for courses
are met.

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GUIDELINES FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The application form

You must complete the application form yourself. No one else may complete your
application for you.

Remember to sign and date the application form. If the application is not signed and
dated, Ara cannot process it, and it will be returned to you.

Supporting documents required

You must include the following documents with your application.

1. Registration certificate (certified copy of the original)

You must provide evidence of your initial registration in your home country (your
registration certificate) and of your current registration status, from the relevant
regulatory authority. The registration must contain an expiry date.

2. English language certificate (certified copy of the original)

For International students you must provide a certified copy of an English language
assessment certificate.

For all other applicants for whom English is an additional language, the Ara English
language assessment results will be provided directly to the Department of Nursing and
Human Services.

IELTS test

In this test, an applicant must achieve a minimum score of 6.5 overall: reading, writing
and speaking and 7.0 in listening. This must be achieved in one test.

Information on the IELTS test can be found at the website: www.ielts.org

For IELTS you can take the test either in your country of residence or in New Zealand.

The English language assessment must be less than two years old at the time you submit
a completed application.

Approved English Language Assessments

Ara English Language Assessments are only available for New Zealand residents.

Transcript of training

Your pre-registration nursing education provider must provide:

• certified documentary evidence of your qualification.
• certified copies of your transcript of training or the theoretical content of the

courses you have completed. This must include:

o the total hours and credits for each subject, and

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o original or certified copies of detailed curriculum/course outlines or descriptors
(including teaching content) for each theoretical and practice course
completed.

If your nursing education programme uses credits rather than hours, the documents must
state how many hours make up a theory credit and how many hours make up a practice
credit in your nursing programme. Without this important information we will not
be able to process your application.

The education provider must complete the transcript request form and return it with the
required documentation directly to Ara.

If your education was at more than one institution, then transcripts must be sent
from each institution.

Cross-crediting of courses

The School of Nursing you attended must provide evidence of how courses you completed
from previous institutions have been cross-credited. In addition, each institution must
verify what programme of study you were enrolled in and the dates enrolled.

Certified copy of your qualification gained (only required if requested)

If Ara requires more information about the qualification you gained, you may be required
to send a certified copy of your qualification.

Portfolio

Your portfolio must demonstrate how each learning outcome is met. It must show the
course/s, hours and assessments that relate to the learning outcomes. It is expected that
there will be aspects of different courses that show how these are met.

After your portfolio has been assessed we will advise you of the result and any additional
requirements you will need to complete prior to entering the BN.

You may use the templates provided to help you complete your portfolio before
submitting your completed application.

What happens next?

Your completed application will be processed and then sent to an academic staff member
who will assess your application and if you are accepted an interview will be arranged for
you to meet with an academic staff member to discuss further including which courses
are required for you to enrol in.

Please note that you are only legally enrolled in any course upon receipt of full payment.
For any concerns regarding this, please see the staff at the Admissions/Enrolments desk
immediately.

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DESCRIPTORS OF YEAR ONE COURSES AVAILABLE FOR
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Nursing Science 1: BNNS501

Aim: Learning Outcomes:
To enable students to gain bioscience On successful completion of this course
knowledge required for nursing the student will be able to:
practice.
1. demonstrate knowledge of anatomy
and physiology as applied to
nursing.

2. demonstrate knowledge of
homeostasis.

3. demonstrate knowledge of micro-
organisms and their transmission
and control.

Interpersonal Relationships: BNIR501

Aim: Learning Outcomes:
To enable students to understand the On successful completion of this course
ethical, legal and professional the student will be able to:
responsibilities of nursing.
1. apply principles of effective
communication to therapeutic and
interpersonal relationships.

2. apply principles of cultural safety to
interpersonal relationships in
nursing practice.

Management of Nursing Care 1: BNMN501

Aim: Learning Outcomes:
To enable students to manage nursing On successful completion of this course
care with health consumers. the student will be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge of nursing
practice.

2. use nursing and health assessment
skills.

3. explain how nursing frameworks
inform nursing practice.

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Professional Responsibility: BNPR501

Aim: Learning Outcomes:
To enable students to understand the On successful completion of this course
ethical, legal and professional the student will be able to:
responsibilities of nursing.
1. describe the role of the nurse in
the New Zealand health care
system.

2. describe ethical and legal
responsibilities in nursing.

3. explain how research and the use
of evidenced based practice
informs nursing practice.

4. use writing skills to demonstrate
nursing responsibilities.

Health and Wellness: BNHE502

Aim: Learning Outcomes:
To enable students to understand the On successful completion of this course
influence of socio ecological the student will be able to:
perspectives on health.
1. discuss the impact of the
determinants of health on health
consumers.

2. demonstrate knowledge of human
development, psychology and
behaviour.

3. demonstrate knowledge of
promoting health and wellness and
of health education principles.

4. discuss the significance of the Te
Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of
Waitangi to nursing and health
care.

Nursing the Person with Long Term Health Needs:
BNNP502

Aim: Learning Outcomes:
To enable students to apply knowledge, On successful completion of this course
skills and attitudes of nursing practice the student will be able to:
in a Gerontological clinical setting.
1. demonstrate professional
behaviour in a clinical setting.

2. demonstrate safe nursing practice
to meet prescribed competencies.

3. apply nursing knowledge including
frameworks for the management
of nursing care.

4. demonstrate the development of
professional practice through
reflection on practice.

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Management of Nursing Care 2: BNMN502

Aim: Learning Outcomes:
To enable students to manage nursing On successful completion of this course
care with health consumers. the student will be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge of nursing
practice.

2. use nursing and health assessment
skills.

3. perform clinical calculations.

4. describe medication administration
principles.

Nursing Science 2: BNNS502

Aim: Learning Outcomes:
To enable students to extend On successful completion of this course
bioscience knowledge required for the student will be able to:
nursing practice.
1. demonstrate knowledge of
anatomy and physiology as applied
to nursing.

2. demonstrate knowledge of
homeostasis.

3. demonstrate knowledge of micro-
organisms and their transmission
and control.

4. demonstrate knowledge of
pharmacodynamics and
pharmacokinetics.

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Example

Course: Health and Wellness

Learning Outcome 1:

Discuss the impact of the determinants of health on health consumers.

Previous Learning/Equivalent Date Previous Learning Hours
Activity (Title of Course, Session,
Conference, etc.)

Name of Course 20…. e.g., 54

Name of Course 20…. e.g., 64

Name of Course 20…. e.g., 54

Name of Course 20…. e.g., 64

of Portfolio

Spent Explanations of Equivalent (how
4 hours this activity demonstrates
4 hours learning)
4 hours This course covered
4 hours
This course covered

This course covered

This course covered

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Course: Health and Wellness

Learning Outcome 2:

Demonstrate knowledge of human development, psychology and behaviour.

Previous Learning/Equivalent Date Previous Learning Hours
Activity (Title of Course, Session,
Conference, etc.)

Name of Course 20…. e.g., 54

Inservice Education 20…. 2 hours

Conference A 20…. e.g., 21

Name of Course 20…. e.g., 64

Spent Explanations of Equivalent (how
4 hours this activity demonstrates
s learning)
1 hours Aspects of this course covered
4 hours
This conference addressed

This course covered

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