Education

Guidance for Scholarship Reflective Writing

This document has been written to help those people who apply for Scholarship Awards.

One of the stipulations of such awards is that the applicant write a report detailing what they have learnt and how they may add value to others in return for sponsorship by the NZWCS.

The purpose of such a report is three-fold: 

1. To record the development of your ideas and insights and the possible implications for your practice.
2. To reflect on the content of the experience and on your own learning.
3. To identify and discuss your responses to concepts, ideas and issues in either course work, reading or in practical placement.

The report is typically written for yourself and is intended to provide insight into your thinking. Success depends on a demonstration of these insights into the course content, or the topics discussed at a conference and describes your developing awareness of the interconnectedness of different aspects of experience and the interrelationships between ideas.

The report is best influenced by: 

1. The Topic: This is not a summary of the curriculum or programme. It is a response to an aspect of a course, readings, practical placement or conference etc. It focuses on a particular aspect of the subject content and its potential application to theory and practice.
2. Format:  There are no formal requirements unless it is a diary in which case dates are useful. But it usually traces the development of ideas, insights and learning. It can be written without headings, but it is always wise to separate ideas into paragraphs to suit the purpose of different ideas contained in different paragraphs.  The NZWCS prefers to see the report as taking no more than 500 words, i.e. a page of writing only.
3. Style: It is best to write in standard English using paragraphs and sentences. Abbreviations should not be used unless they have been expressed in full, earlier in the text. Unlike scientific writing, you can use the first person “I” if you would like and it can be subjective to reflect your speculations and interpretations.

Hopefully, this will help you complete the report more easily and know that when it is published in the Tissue Issue it is a useful record of your ongoing experience in your continuing professional development.

EAG 2022

Conference Scholarship Application Questions

Applications must be submitted using the Microsoft Forms link which will be posted at the appropriate time.

The following are compulsory questions that you need to complete online. For your convenience, we suggest you create a Word document with the answers so you can copy and paste them into the form.

1. Name

2. Phone number

3. Email address

4. What is the name of your employer?

5. What is your Job Title?

6. How many years have you been a NZWCS member?

7. Which Scholarship are you applying for? Multiple choice.
• $1000 attendance at national wound care related conference (one available)
• Registration only to NZWCS national conference (five available)
• $2000 attendance at international wound care related conference (one available)

8. What conference will you be attending?

9. Will you be presenting at this conference?
Please give an outline of the abstract. Have you been accepted?

10. Are you applying for funding through other organisations or your workplace?  

Name of organisation.
Type of funding applied for.
Date when you expect to receive a decision on this other funding.

11. Outline your involvement in NZWCS activities:

12. Show how you intend to use this learning to benefit yourself, your employer, your clients and the NZWCS

13. Professional Qualifications

14. Include relevant details from your Curriculum Vitae (that are not previously given in this form).
Please put your professional Qualifications above. Limit approximately 500 words

15. State your practising certificate expiry date (if applicable)

16. Post-registration or post-graduate qualifications:
Include University/Polytech, Course, Year completed

17. Number of years working in an area where wound management forms part of your practice

18. Outline present contribution to wound management at a local and/or regional/national level.

19. List any publications:

20. Support letter from your manager
Please copy and paste the text only from your support letter here

21. Do you agree to complete a report suitable for the Tissue Issue within 3 weeks of returning from the conference?
yes
no
other

By submitting the form you agree to the terms.

Scholarship Terms and Conditions For Other Conferences

• The NZWCS scholarships are open to current Full or Corporate Members only. N.B. Commercial Members are not eligible for these scholarships.
• Have been a member for a minimum of one year at the time of application.
• Have not been the recipient of a NZWCS scholarship in the past 24 months.
• Have the support of your manager to attend the conference.
• The scholarships will open xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  
• The scholarships will be tenable for one year and can only be applied for in the 12 months following the announcement of scholarship recipients.
• Applicants for the scholarships should be able to show that they are currently employed in an area where they conduct wound care as part of their role or are involved in relevant wound education.
• The scholarship recipient will be expected to allow media cover of their receipt of the award and provide a report suitable for publication in the Tissue Issue/ or on the NZWCS website within three weeks of your return from the conference.
• For smaller scholarships writing guidelines are available online which include detailing the benefits and knowledge gained from the conference. There are greater reporting requirements if attending EWMA.
• An inability to attend the conference because of extenuating circumstances will require further discussion and may involve partial repayment of the award.
• The scholarship may be held concurrently with another scholarship or bursary and is non-taxable in New Zealand.
• Each award will be made on merit, taking into consideration the nature of the planned study/conference, how the participant intends to relate it to their own work, as well as the applicant's academic merit and participation in the profession. Scholarships for conference attendance will be strengthened by evidence that the applicant will be presenting a poster or oral presentation at the conference. 
• Applications are to be completed using the online application form below. This information is sent to the NZWCS Administrator, who will coordinate a blind peer review by representatives from the NZWCS National Committee or Education Advisory Group. In any year, this group may refrain from making a recommendation if no suitable applicants are found. In the case of disagreement, the application will be reviewed by two other Committee members. The Committee’s decision is final.

Fundamentals of wound care.  If you are looking for further education in this area, please contact us.

Post Graduate Courses available for wound education

Massey University

Wound Management
Course Number: 168722
Learning outcomes
The multidimensional aspects of wound management including physiological, pathophysiological and psychological components are examined and applied in the clinical practice setting, delivered purely virtually with online tutorials. This is a 30 point paper.
Further details can be found at the Massey website here

Ara

Wound Care 1
Course Number: GCWC701

Learning Outcomes
Apply knowledge of the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of wounds to ensure best practice and enhance patient outcomes. Critically analyse challenging issues in the provision of care for patients with wounds. Critically analyse factors which impact on wound healing.
Further details can be found on the Ara website   here

Wound Care 2
Course number: GCWC702
Learning Outcomes
Apply knowledge of the pathophysiology of wounds to specific situations and presentations, to ensure best practice and enhance patient outcomes. Critically analyse challenging issues in relation to specialist groups e.g. paediatrics, aged care. Critically reflect on the professional role of the nurse when working with patients with wounds.
Further details can be found on the Ara website  here
Please note both these courses are given at Level 7 and give 5 points each

Monash University

Graduate Certificate of Wound Care
Course number: M4027

This course is designed to enable you to advance your knowledge and skills in wound care management, using evidence-based practice and problem-solving skills to improve your clinical practice and healing outcomes for individuals with wounds.
Purely online and available internationally

Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise evidence-based knowledge that informs the development of safe, effective and ethical wound care practices. Effectively assess, plan and manage those individuals at risk of developing wounds or requiring wound care. Effectively disseminate specialised wound care knowledge which promotes collaboration and enhances positive clinical outcomes.
Evaluate the impact of wound care delivery on health outcomes of those with wounds, this course is made up of 4 courses, Principles of Wound Management, Wound Assessment, Wound Management Principles and Acute And Chronic Wounds
Further details can be found on the Monash website here

Graduate Diploma Of Wound Care
Course Number: M5028

For Health professionals looking to build on the Graduate Certificate of Wound Care and manage acute, chronic, and complex wounds effectively.
• Advanced wound care strategies and interventions
• Techniques for managing acute, chronic, and complex wounds
• Application of problem-solving skills in clinical scenarios
• Working respectfully with diverse patient groups in choosing culturally safe and responsive strategies.
In the Graduate Diploma of Wound Care, there is an opportunity to complete elective units relevant to your area of work or interests.
More details can be found on the Monash website  here

Masters of Wound Care
Course Number: M6035
The Master of Wound Care prepares a range of health professionals for advanced practice in wound care.
Develop the specialist skills and knowledge to optimise healing. You will learn to formulate, implement and evaluate wound management plans in clinical practice.
You will also be able to hone your skills in leadership, professional communication, reflective practice and innovation in wound care to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes.
At the master’s level you will have the chance to structure your study to suit your interests and career aspirations by choosing between the following:
• A coursework stream: where you will investigate clinical risk management in relation to wound prevention, as well as consolidating advanced clinical practice skills in wound care.
• A research and coursework stream: where you will gain advanced skills in wound-related research
Details can be found at the Monash website   here

Cardiff University

Wound Healing and Tissue Repair MSC

The MSc in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair is a three-year, inter-disciplinary, part-time, distance learning course.

The course attracts healthcare professionals from fields such as nursing, medicine, pharmacy, podiatry and the pharmaceutical industry, and offers the opportunity to study online alongside an international group of professionals from countries around the world.

It aims to enable you to explore and analyse existing and developing theories and concepts that underpin wound healing and tissue repair facilitating professional and personal growth, building upon your educational and vocational experience and developing your ability to become a life-long learner.

There will be an online induction week at the beginning of year one and two. Students are encouraged to participate in one live, synchronous session per day, which will be available at 3 different times. On-demand recordings of the synchronous activity will also be made available for viewing.

Stage T1 (first taught stage)
This stage lasts for one academic year and consists of an online induction block over a five-day period and five modules totalling 60 credits (of which no greater than 20 credits shall be at level 6, with the remainder at Level 7).
You may exit after this stage with a Postgraduate Certificate, if you have gained at least 60 credits (of which no greater than 20 credits shall be at level 6, with the remainder at Level 7), including the award of credit for any ‘required’ modules.

Stage T2 (second taught stage)
This stage lasts for a further academic year, to a total of two years for the taught stages, and consists of a further online induction block over a five-day period and three 20-credit modules totalling 60 credits, at Level 7, to achieve a total of 120 credits (of which no greater than 20 credits shall be at level 6, with the remainder at Level 7), to complete the taught stages.
You may exit after this stage with a Postgraduate Diploma, if you have gained at least 120 credits (of which no greater than 20 credits shall be at level 6, with the remainder at Level 7), including the award of credit for any ‘required’ modules.

Stage R: MSc research dissertation stage
The dissertation stage lasts for a further academic year, to a total of three years, and will include a dissertation of 60 credits at Level 7, to achieve a combined total of 180 credits (of which no greater than 20 credits shall be at level 6, with the remainder at Level 7), to complete the MSc programme.

The total normal duration to complete the full MSc course is three academic years (stages T1, T2 & R), from the date of initial registration. Please note an academic year in the UK starts in September

More details can be found on the Cardiff University website   here

Non-credited Courses Available

EWMA

Online education in wound management
Lower leg ulcers e-learning here
Basic Wound Management e-Learning here
Atypical wounds e-learning here
Compression therapy e-learning here
Wound Wise- Wound diagnosis and wound treatment e-learning here

editing, thank you for your patience 

Wintec - Waikato  Postgraduate and Master's for Nursing 

Ara - Canterbury

Massey 

University of Auckland - Auckland

Monash University - Australia.  Qualifications available: Graduate Certificate of Wound Care, Graduate Diploma of Wound Care, Master of Wound Care

Ausmed Education Pty Ltd - Australia   (move to Other online learning https://www.ausmed.com.au/search )

EWMA  European Wound Management Association Education

EPUAP European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel  Education Hub

The NZWCS is pleased once again to demonstrate its support of education for health professionals involved in wound management in Aotearoa/New Zealand by providing scholarships to our members.  This helps us to achieve our aims, as follows;

Aims of the Society

1. To improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with wound and skin integrity problems.

2. To provide and encourage best practice wound management across all health care settings.

3. To be a recognised voice at a national and local level in any issues relating to wound healing or maintaining skin integrity.

4. To participate in relevant or appropriate national and international forums and guideline development.

These aims are achieved by several means. The NZWCS encourages education at national and local levels and provides support for members to enhance their practice and knowledge in wound management by providing annual education scholarships.

Conference Related Scholarships

Aotearoa/New Zealand Conferences:

• One scholarship of $1000 per year for attendance at a national, wound-related conference (other than the NZWCS conference).

Timing:   Applications open on the 1st of March and close on the 30th of April at 11.45pm each year.

Overseas Conferences:

• One scholarship of $2000 per year for attendance at an international, wound-related conference.  

Timing:   Applications open on the 1st of March and close on the 30th of April at 11.45pm each year.

• One scholarship of $4000 per year for attendance at an international, wound-related conference with special conditions.  This is at the discretion of the Financial Governance Group and dependent on available funding.  The President or Vice President are funded to represent the society at certain overseas forums and thus must be a priority for budgeting.

Terms and Conditions

Applicants for all these scholarships must:

• be a current Full Member or Corporate Member of the New Zealand Wound Care Society,
• have been a member for a minimum of one year at the time of application,
• not been the recipient of an NZWCS scholarship within the last 24 months,
• have the support of their manager to attend the conference,
• complete a report suitable for the Tissue Issue using the 'Guidance for Reflective Writing' as a guide
• submit the report within three weeks of returning home from the conference,
• complete an online application via the link shown below (you must be logged in to access the link)
  
• read the full terms and conditions below.

Certificate in Wound Debridement (level 7)

New Zealand’s only 700-level wound debridement course with competency in conservative sharp wound debridement (CSWD).

For comprehensive information and to apply for this course search 'wound' at  www.op.ac.nz

April to  October 2026

What you study

The course curriculum is designed by the New Zealand Wound Care Society (NZWCS) in partnership with Wendy White WoundCare. This unique micro-credentialed course incorporates WOUNDed® learning resources with NZWCS-specific content. Course learning includes online, self-directed learning, facilitated virtual tutorials, a two-day CSWD skills face-to-face practicum (this includes a multidisciplinary approach to lower leg and diabetic foot disease), and one-on-one mentoring in clinical practice to gain competency. If you are unable to find a suitable mentor please contact the NZWCS for assistance.

Course requirements

Registered health professional (RN, Nurse Practitioner, EN, Podiatrist or Doctor) working with adults and performing, at least weekly, wound care procedures.
The learner will require organisational support to undertake mentor-supervised CSWD procedures within their health care setting.

Face-to-face practicum

There is a choice of locations available for the face-to-face. (book early to get your preferred location)

Dunedin - Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 June 2026

or

Auckland - Wednesday 8th and Thursday 09  July 2026

Mentoring

 If you require assistance to find a mentor, please contact the NZWCS Administrator.

For full information or to apply

For full information and to apply, click here

For a pamphlet - download here