Course delivers chance to explore vulnerability

Rotorua Pacific Island trust chairwoman and Waiariki nursing lecturer Ana Waqairawaqa

Waiariki's Master of Applied Professional Studies is now offering four different career-enhancement strands.

They are mentoring and leadership, infection prevention and control, vulnerable peoples, and adult teaching and are available through on-campus or distance learning.

Maori and development, nursing programme area lead Denise Riini said: "Media and the Government are talking 'vulnerability' all the time, and it's leading people to say 'What makes vulnerability?', 'What does that look like?'.

"This masters degree gives you the opportunity to explore that perspective and get some really good education behind understanding what vulnerability looks like."

Inspired by the actions of Lakes District Health Board to build a collaborative approach to health in Rotorua - across police, corrections, educators, health workers, Maori, Pacifica and others who work in areas with vulnerable peoples - these skill sets are in need throughout the country, she said.

Waiariki nursing lecturer and fellow of the College of Nurses Aotearoa and member of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, Orana Harris, said the masters programme was relevant at local community level. "Within our rohe there are a lot of vulnerable people and this qualification offers a community-focused, grassroots approach to help you deal with those audiences."

Rotorua Pacific Island trust chairwoman and Waiariki nursing lecturer Ana Waqairawaqa said the studies could be completed anywhere. "We've set this master degree up deliberately as a distance programme with blocks ... people can study at a pace they can cope with, while still working at the sharp end of the practice."