Bachelor of Nursing

About the programme

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.

Become educated to the highest possible standards during this highly-regarded degree.

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.

Our unique blended learning model will let you develop the practical techniques and hands-on skills you'll need in your career, while the online learning elements can help you have some flexibility in your learning. Gain vital hands-on experience in our simulation suite and enjoy the chance to get a feel for real-world clients and their health needs in your practice placements - 50% of your final year will involve clinical practice! 

You may be required to complete clinical placement outside of the greater Dunedin area. This placement could take place in South Canterbury, Central Otago, East Otago, West Otago, South Otago or Southland. The cost of travel and accommodation for all placements are your responsibility. If you have concerns about this, please feel free to contact us.

When you graduate, you'll be eligible to sit the State Final Examination for registration as a Registered Nurse in New Zealand.

Studying part-time

We know that full-time study isn't always possible. We offer a limited number of places to study this programme part-time over five years. 

*Please note: Our entry criteria and curriculum will be changing for this programme in 2025. These changes are subject to final NZQA approval - we'll update this webpage as soon as we can with the most up-to-date information.

Entry

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 science e.g. biology, chemistry, general science, or approved science subjects
    • 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.

For those 20 and over

• You must have completed the equivalent of NCEA Level 3 science (or NZQA approved qualification) within the past five years.

Other requirements

• All applicants must also:
  • provide name and contact details of two 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
  • complete a criminal conviction declaration and give permission for a Police Check to ensure you meet the requirements of the Children's Act 2014 (applicants who have lived in countries other than New Zealand need to provide a Police Clearance from each country)
  • submit a written statement (cover letter) including your reasons for wanting to study this programme and your skills and experience
  • let us know if you have any learning difficulties.

You also need to provide certified copies of proof of identity and proof of residency (where appropriate). 

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 vaccination information

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.

You don’t need to supply evidence of your vaccination status to apply for this programme.

However, the placement component of this programme has a higher risk of exposure to vaccine preventable diseases. Therefore, most placement providers will require evidence from you that you are fully vaccinated and have immunity for tuberculosis, varicella, measles, hepatitis B and pertussis (within the last 10 years). 

Evidence of immunity to vaccine preventable diseases is ascertained by a blood test and your vaccination records.

Placements are an integral part of this programme, and you’ll need to complete the vaccine requirements to be able to successfully achieve your qualification.

If you have concerns or questions about this requirement, please feel free to contact us.

Please note: 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.

What if I don't meet the entry requirements?

Our Health Bridging Certificate 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 process

Applications are preferred by 30 September every year.

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.