In 1982 the newly formed Special Interest (IC) Section of the then New Zealand Nurses Association held their first AGM at their inaugural conference in Auckland, New Zealand. It was the first acknowledgement that education of the role of an infection control nurse was important and needed. As positions for IC nurses were created throughout New Zealand public hospitals, a small group of foundation IC nurses rallied together to plan for the first training forum for IC nurses. This eventuated in 1987 as a week long course held on Waiariki Institute campus in central Rotorua, New Zealand. It was decided to host these weeklong forums twice yearly and were coordinated by a senior nurse lecturer from the School of Health Studies. Hence the footprint for learning innovation had been cast.
Now, 44 years on, education crafted bespoke to New Zealand Infection Prevention and Control Nurses has gone from strength to strength delivered by Toi Ohomai Institute in central Rotorua. The journey of this evolving education experience will be highlighted. Approximately 1000 students have passed through this unique programme which is a momentous achievement for the specialty of IPC in New Zealand. There have been many highs and a few lows all of which will be shared in this presentation. Methodology related to academic process and rigor will be highlighted. The presentation will conclude with insights from the speaker, into what the future innovations of post graduate education for IPC might entail