Letters

A wonderful opportunity for advanced stomal therapy education

September 12, 2025

Stomal therapy nurses may have an opportunity to take an advanced education course in their specialty, that is usually only available via an expensive trip to Australia.

NZNO’s college of stomal therapy nursing wants to find out how many New Zealand nurses would be interested in taking a masters-level graduate certificate in wound, ostomy, and continence practice in Auckland.

The qualification is a Level 8 course offered by Curtin University in Perth, as part of a master’s programme in advanced nursing. It is designed to be completed part-time over one year and includes two one-week face-to-face comprehensives:

First week: Hands-on practical skills training in a lab and classroom with Curtin University lecturers.

Second week: Conducted locally in your area with experienced stomal therapy, wound, and continence nurses, facilitated by the NZ College of Stomal Therapy Nursing.

Historically, the lab-based week in Perth has been costly for New Zealanders, who have to pay for flights, accommodation, and meals, on top of the course fee of approximately A$13,500.

We have been provided with an opportunity to bring the Curtin lecturers, Professor Keryln Carville and Joy Sears, to Auckland to conduct this one-week comprehensive programme, if there is sufficient interest. This is a fantastic opportunity which would reduce costs for local nurses.

The course is not available anywhere else in New Zealand and is the only Level 8 programme tied to a master’s qualification (most other courses are Level 7 and not part of a master’s).

The week-long programme covers, but is not limited to:

Proficiency in Doppler ultrasound and ABI measurements
Assessment and management of acute and chronic wounds
Stomal therapy practice
Advanced continence assessments

The initial plan is to offer this comprehensive programme every second year, with potential expansion depending on demand and further development by AUT, the hosting university.

Fees and scholarships
The current course fee is A$13,500. Scholarships are available through the college and industry partners, and new funding opportunities are expected to emerge within the next year.

We want to gauge interest: would you be willing to apply to the Curtin University programme once the course is officially advertised next year? Please let us know by taking this survey which only takes 20 seconds.

Emma Ludlow
CNS stomal therapist

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