Bachelor of Nursing – BN

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

The Bachelor of Nursing is a selected entry qualification. This means you must meet additional criteria and provide supporting documentation.

Before you can be admitted

Applicants must:

• Meet the requirements for registration as a nurse in New Zealand regarding good character and fitness to practice for registration as set out by the Nursing Council of New Zealand in terms of the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003.
• Meet the Inherent Requirements for Nurses (see below).
• Submit an up-to-date CV that includes all education, employment and relevant activities, with no unexplained gaps in dates. Any periods not covered by work or study should be briefly explained (for example travel, job seeking or caregiving responsibilities).
• Provide details for 2 referees.
  • Referees must not be family members or friends.
  • School leavers or private institution leavers (if applying within 2 years of leaving secondary school or a private training establishment) require a school/institution confidential report and an employer or community referee.
  • Applicants who have not studied in the last 2 years require 2 professional referees
  • In some circumstances we may request an additional referee.
• Complete a New Zealand Police vetting service request and consent form a criminal record check under the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004
• Provide overseas police certificate from any overseas countries you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more within the last 10 years
• Complete a Health and Disability Declaration. Where a health condition or disability is disclosed, additional information may be requested. You may be required to attend an interview.

About referees

Referees must be able to comment on your suitability for nursing and must have known you for at least 1 year in a professional or community capacity. Suitable referees may include:

• An employer
• Educator
• Kaumātua
• Minister of religion
• Community leader.

Referees must not be:

• Family members
• Friends
• Flatmates
• Anyone who has known you for less than 1 year.

All referee information remains confidential as part of the selection process.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must demonstrate English language proficiency, sufficient to protect the health and safety of the public (sections 16 (a) and (b) HPCA Act 2003) through:

• IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 6.5 in all bands, with no band below 6.5; or
• An alternative English language test will be accepted if the score is equivalent to the IELTS minimum score required. Approved alternative tests are PTE, OET, or TOEFL.

Results are valid only if issued within the last 2 years at the time of application.

If you experience communication difficulties in theory, laboratory or clinical learning, you may be required to complete a further approved English Language test, at your own expense. Failure to achieve the required standard may result in your being withdrawn from the qualification. Massey does not accept any responsibility for your lack of achievement in a course due to insufficient English proficiency. 

Where can you study?

The Bachelor of Nursing is available at Massey's Manawatū and Wellington campuses. Places are limited and applications are considered on a competitive basis. We encourage you to apply early. Once a campus reaches capacity, applicants may be placed on a wait-list and offered alternative options where available.

Application closing date

• Domestic students:
  • Applications close on 31 January of the year of study.
• International students:
  • Applications close on 31 October of the year before study begins.

Late applications that are complete may be considered if places allow.

After you are accepted

To participate in compulsory clinical placements, you must meet additional requirements.

By 31 March you must:

• Meet the immunisation standards of practice for healthcare professionals in New Zealand (information will be provided following admission). You must provide evidence of immunity or vaccination for:
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella (Chicken pox)
  • Measles
  • Pertussis (Whooping cough)
  • Tuberculosis (TB)
  • COVID-19
• Hold a CPR First Aid Certificate (at a minimum).

During Orientation, you will also be required to:

• Fill out a Vulnerable Children Act 2014 questionnaire (VCA 2014)
• Sign a Professional Conduct and Confidentiality document
• Continue to meet Nursing Council fitness and good standing requirements
• Continue to meet the Inherent Requirements for Nurses.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the essential skills, abilities and professional attributes needed to successfully complete nursing courses and participate safely in clinical practice while preserving the academic integrity of Massey University and New Zealand Nursing council’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. Please read through this list of inherent qualities.

Inherent requirements for nurses

Travelling to clinical placements

You will need to travel to and from clinical placements throughout the qualification. Placement locations and shift times vary, and you should carefully consider your transport arrangements. If you do not have a full New Zealand driver’s licence, you will need to apply for an exemption to NZTA Waka Kotahi when travel is required outside of your licence restrictions. Fees apply to each exemption request. 

Additional costs

In addition to tuition fees, you should budget for costs that may exceed $2,000 including (but not limited) to:

• Uniform
• Clinical equipment
• Textbooks
• Travel to and from placements
• First Aid Certificate
• Immunity screening.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

Transfers

If you started an equivalent bachelor’s degree at another institution and want to continue a Bachelor of Nursing degree with Massey, you should apply for admission to the Bachelor of Nursing first. Upon successful admission you must provide:

• An academic transcript
• A Nursing Confidential Reference (provided on application)
• Course outlines and learning outcomes.

Students seeking recognition of prior learning or transfer of credits should refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations or contact us through the Get advice button on this page.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Meeting requirements for industry membership

After successful completing the Bachelor of Nursing, graduates may apply to sit the Nursing Council of New Zealand registration examination.

To practise as a registered nurse in New Zealand, you must:

1. Complete the Bachelor of Nursing
2. Pass the Nursing Council registration examination.
3. Obtain an Annual Practising Certificate (APC).

Registered nurses are legally required to maintain a current APC in order to practise. Additional costs apply for:

• Nursing Council registration examination fees
• Annual Practising Certificate fees.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete this qualification. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies. 

The Bachelor of Nursing is normally completed in 3 years of full-time study. If you are granted any extensions during your studies, the maximum time to complete this qualification is 5 years.   

• Look for information under ‘Completion Requirements’ in the regulations for this qualification
• Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.