A spotlight on our healthcare study options, and a look at our specialist Health campus, Manawa.

Helping those in need is a calling for many students and Ara can kickstart that journey. We offer a number of programmes in the healthcare sector at our state of the art Manawa Campus.

Manawa means heart, patience or breath in Te Reo Maori and was gifted to the partnership as a reflection of the proverb “Manawa whenua, manawa tangata”, which describes the intimate connection between human health and the health of our environment. It is a shared site between Ara, Canterbury District Health Board, and the University of Canterbury. Manaway is in a prime location, right in the centre of the town and just a two minute walk from the hospital.

Ara class spaces occupy 3 floors, 2 floors of more traditional classrooms, and one floor is our simulation suite. With different simulated hospital rooms including a general ward, trauma ward, operating theatre, x-ray room, home environment and more, students are able to work in a real life environment, but with all the safety and room for mistakes and learning that a classroom brings. Students use state of the art mannequins as their patients, and these mannequins are controlled by technicians behind one way glass. These technicians are watching the students  via overhead cameras, and can make the mannequins react in the way a patient would by changing the vital stats on the monitor, coughing, speaking and so forth. It is an excellent way for students to learn, and we are extremely lucky to have these available. Medical imaging students have an x-ray room, where they are able to practice positioning of body parts, without any active radiation. Manawa also has a virtual reality suite available. VR is also used by our midwifery students, for different childbirth simulations. 

Watch below for an insight into Manawa, and the subject areas taught here. 

Nursing: At Ara, we offer two main nursing qualifications, the Bachelor of Nursing and the NZ Diploma in Enrolled Nursing. Both of these courses have a heavy practical element, work placements, and the chance to learn from the best of the best, in amazing facilities, with a close knit group of supportive classmates around you. Enrolled Nursing is an 18 month programme, whereas the Bachelor of Nursing is a 3 year qualification that leads to being a registered nurse. With 900 hours of placement in Enrolled Nursing and between 1100 and 1500 in the Bachelor of Nursing, our grads come out feeling prepared, confident and ready to tackle a fast-paced industry.

Medical Imaging: For those more interested in bones, cameras and what is going on under the surface, check out the Bachelor of Medical Imaging. Students learn to use x-rays and other equipment to take images of injuries, and possible diseases. You will learn how to perform radiography, and learn about what other types of scans there are. Graduates can go on to further study to become qualified in CT scans, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, mammography, MRI and more. Aside from all the practical skills, students will also develop soft skills such as communication to deal with patients in a compassionate way. Clinical placements take up almost 50% of this course, again creating a smooth transition to industry upon graduation. 

Midwifery: A midwife is a huge part of the pregnancy journey, and works with a family throughout pregnancy, childbirth and the start of the new baby's life. Midwives require a breadth of knowledge and skill to be able to provide support through a vulnerable time. Throughout their studies Bachelor of Midwifery students will shadow midwives and have the opportunity to follow at least 25 women through their midwifery care. They will support and facilitate 40 births in a variety of maternity settings. Studies cover a wide range of topics including midwifery practice skills, nutrition, lactation and bioscience foundations. Students will also learn about Māori health, integrated midwifery practice and rural midwifery practice to allow them to adapt to the wide range of needs and circumstances encountered in midwifery. They will gain a good understanding of how to assess the social, psychological, physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs of each woman and her family so they have the knowledge and skills needed to support women during their childbirth experience. 

If you have any students interested in one of our healthcare subjects and are wanting to get more info, get in touch with us today. Reach out to your regions representative, email engagement@ara.ac.nz or give us a call at 0800 24 24 76.