Bachelor of Nursing

Have a rewarding career in healthcare and make a difference in people's lives. Become a Registered Nurse – it can be your passport to the world!

Registered Nurses care for and work with individuals, whānau and communities in collaboration with other health professionals. Registered nurses may specialise in a variety of practice areas, including medical and surgical, mental health, child health/paediatrics, aged care, rural health care and primary health care. There is a worldwide demand for registered nurses and there are a wide range of career options.

Otago Polytechnic nursing graduates are in high demand due to their high calibre and work-readiness. Māori and Pasifika nurses are particularly sought-after for careers in health.

Benefit from access to state-of-the-art Dunedin nursing facilities, the latest industry knowledge and the support and advice from highly experienced teachers. This degree programme provides you with the knowledge and experience to achieve New Zealand nursing registration and also provides a perfect springboard into postgraduate study.

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Nursing, you will be eligible to sit the State Final Examination for registration as a Registered Nurse in New Zealand.

Minimum entry requirements

Academic

For those under 20

• NCEA Level 3 (equivalent of entry to university) including:
  • Three subjects - at Level 3 or above, made up of:
    • 14 credits in biology OR chemistry
    • 14 credits in English OR English-rich subject
    • 14 credits in one other approved subject
    • the remaining credits may come from either achievement or unit standards, and  
  • Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
    • 5 credits in reading 
    • 5 credits in writing, and
  • Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
    • specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects OR
    • package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required).

For those 20 and over 

• You must have completed the equivalent of NCEA Level 3 biology and/or chemistry within the past five years.

Other requirements 

• All applicants must also: 
  • provide name and contact details oftwo referees. One referee should be an employer or community group representative and the other must be from someone who can comment on your academic ability. Referees must be people of standing in the community who are not friends or relatives of the applicant. If you have not studied in the last five years, a second professional referee may be contacted instead of an academic referee. Health Bridging Certificate students must nominate a programme lecturer as an academic reference
  • submit your current curriculum vitae (CV)
  • answer health declaration questions
  • supply a copy of your current Level 2 Comprehensive First Aid certificate (unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402)
  • complete a criminal conviction declaration and give permission for a Police Check to ensure you meet the requirements of the Children's Act 2014
  • submit a written statement (cover letter) including your reasons for wanting to study this programme and your skills and experience* (*this requirement is subject to approval)
  • let us know if you have any learning difficulties. 

English Language requirements 

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Occupational English Test (OET) with a C+ band/score in each section in one sitting.
  • If you believe that you should be exempt from this requirement, please contact the School of Nursing by emailing [email protected].
  • If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.  

Health and immunisation status

You must be physically and psychologically able to engage in diverse clinical nursing practice in New Zealand, including acute hospital, community and mental health settings during this programme.

Covid-19 vaccination information

If you want to apply for this programme, we’ll need to see evidence of your Covid-19 vaccinations (including types and dates). You need to have had three doses. We’re legally obliged to collect this additional information from you as this programme is covered by the Covid-19 Public Health Response (Vaccination) Order 2021. 

Please just complete our online application process as normal. As part of the application process, you’ll be asked to provide your vaccination record. 

The Government have advised that the only proof of vaccination that we can accept is a vaccination record PDF from your My Covid Record. 

Find out how to get your vaccination record here >

Risks and immunisation status 

Once you have been accepted into the programme, you will be notified that you must produce current evidence of immunisation status. You are encouraged to be immunised against Hepatitis B. Not having this immunisation will impact on access to some clinical placements and thus progression in the course may be affected.

Please note: The cost for the blood test to ascertain your immunity status is about $300. This is not part of your tuition fees so is an additional cost on top of that.

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) clearance is a requirement of a number of clinical placement providers. You may be tested for MRSA during your study. A positive result for MRSA may delay your progression in the programme as you will be unable to attend your clinical placement until you have clearance.

Occasionally, clinical providers request additional information on health status. During your clinical placements, you will be exposed to risks commonly associated with the health services. These are broad and include personal injury such as needle-stick, through to potential harms to clients. 

Completing your application

Before you apply, ensure you understand the application process and all the requirements you need to meet.

You can enter information and upload documents directly into your application portal.

To begin your application, click the Apply button at the top of this page.

You will need to provide:

1. Academic records
2. Written statement* (cover letter) including:
   1. your reasons for wanting to study this programme
   2. your skills and experience
3. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
4. Level 2 Comprehensive First Aid certificate (or confirmation of booking)
5. Answer health declaration questions
6. Complete a declaration of any criminal convictions (applicants who have lived in countries other than New Zealand need to provide a Police Clearance from each country)
7. Contact details for two referees (one academic and one employer or community representative)
8. Certified copies of proof of identity
9. Proof of residency (where appropriate).

Applications are preferred by 30 September each year, however the Selection Committee will continue to review applications received after this date.

*this requirement is subject to approval

Bridging options

The Health Bridging Certificateoffered by the School of Human and Community Services acts as a bridging programme into this nursing qualification. A minimum B+/75 average pass, achieved across four courses during semester two, is required to meet the academic entry requirements into the Bachelor of Nursing. This MUST include a B+/75 in Bioscience 2.

The Health Bridging Certificate is also ideal if you need to update specific knowledge and skills, and demonstrate your academic ability. Distance options are available.

Due to the high demand for places, successful completion of the Health Bridging Certificate (Level 4) will not automatically guarantee you entry into the Bachelor of Nursing programme.   

Selection procedure

Student selection is the responsibility of the Bachelor of Nursing Selection Committee.

Criteria for assessing suitability are:

• Academic records that meet the entry criteria
• Referee reports that identify applicants as highly suitable for a career in nursing (both referee reports will be considered as they are expected to identify strengths in different areas)
• A Curriculum Vitae that is congruent with referee reports and academic transcripts.

Selection process for pre-registration students to the Bachelor of Nursing:

Each application is considered by the Bachelor of Nursing Selection Committee who may request an interview with the applicant where there is a lack of congruence in the information presented. There is an affirmative action policy in regard to applicants who identify as Māori and meet the stated entry criteria. As required by the Children's Act 2014, students who may work with children during the course of their study must be safety checked. Safety checking including reference checking, work history, identity check, police vetting and an overall assessment of the applicant's safety to work with children. Upon acceptance into the programme you will be required to give consent and complete paperwork for Police Vetting. Applicants who have lived in countries other than New Zealand need to provide a Police Clearance from each country upon application

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their completed application. Following the assessment of the applications, applicants are placed into four groups:

1. Place offered pending results of Police Vetting
2. Wait-listed
3. Waiting results
4. Place not offered

Should the number of applicants who meet the selection process requirements exceed the available places, applicants will be placed on a prioritised waitlist. Applicants are welcome to make an appointment with the Bachelor of Nursing Admissions Committee Chairperson to discuss the outcome of their application.

Additional costs

You will be required to purchase:

• Textbooks $383.50 (plus AU$148.50 for year 2 only)
• Uniforms  (Tunic $89, Scrub top $40, pants $60, plus additional cost for black leather closed toe shoes)  
• Equipment $160
• Immunisation Status Blood Test $300 (depending on provider)

Please note: All costs are estimated based on 2020 costs.

There will be additional accommodation and travel costs associated with clinical placements. There is an expectation that you will travel out of town to complete at least one placement during the second and third year of the Bachelor of Nursing programme. All associated costs for these placements are the responsibility of the student.

Students are required to have a laptop or device which has Win7 or above or IOS Maverick.

Further study options

Expand your career prospects with further postgraduate study in Nursing both within New Zealand and overseas. There is now an established career pathway to Nurse Practitioner through master's degree study, and further educational opportunities are available for practice specialisation at the Eastern Institute of Technology or the University of Otago.   

You will study and ePortfolio

To successfully achieve the Bachelor of Nursing, you must complete all the courses within the programme. 50% of your three year nursing qualification will involve clinical practice. This provides a rich learning environment due to your exposure to a diversity of clients and health needs, and will prepare you for work as a registered nurse.

ePortfolio

This programme gives you the chance to create an ePortfolio. This is a way of building evidence from your clinical practice using a modern, relevant platform.

> Find out more about the ePortfolio in this video  

Your workload

You must meet both theoretical and clinical requirements during the Bachelor of Nursing degree and the workload is demanding. You can expect to work approximately 40 hours per week throughout the year and should expect assessments and written assignments throughout the year. Outside employment or commitments should be considered carefully to ensure your success in the programme.

Qualification structure

Student loans/allowances

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit theStudylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw from your programme application or if it is unsuccessful. 

Links to useful websites

• Nursing Council of New Zealand
• New Zealand Nurses Organisation
• International Competency Assessment Programme
• New Zealand Competency Assessment Programme