Bachelor of Nursing

All programmes offered by NMIT are under a Te Pūkenga review to ensure they are portable, consistent and aligned with the industry's needs while keeping our learners' success and wellbeing at heart. These are called unified programmes and are full of advantages for learners.

This programme is undergoing a transition to a Te Pūkenga unified programme. We'll notify you of any changes that might impact what you're studying, where you're studying, or how you're learning as information becomes available.

See more about our flexible learning options and unified programmes here.

Academic requirements

New Zealand University Entrance:

NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) which must include:

14 credits at Level 3 in each of:

• English or an approved literacy subject*
• Biology or Physical Education or Chemistry
• one other subject from the list of approved subjects*(external link)

AS WELL AS

Numeracy* - 14 credits at Level 1 or above

OR

New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) or equivalent

If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), NMIT will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.

Alternative requirements

Applicants who are unable to demonstrate that they meet Academic Entry Requirements but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternate entry by the Curriculum Manager (or delegate). This may include Recognition of Prior Learning.  

English Language Requirements

If English is not the applicant’s first language, applicants will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Table(external link): Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, may contact NMIT for an assessment.

• IELTS 6.5 Academic (no lower than 6.5 in all subtests).

Note: The English Language requirements for this programme are higher than the minimum set by NZQA, therefore; applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance may be required to provide evidence of English Language skills. IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.

Additional requirements

• Personal statement
  This should outline why the applicant has chosen nursing as a career.
• Referee’s Information
  Provide evidence of good character and personal attributes via 2 referees.
• Interview
  Applicants who meet academic entry criteria may be required to attend an interview.
• A Current First Aid certificate 
  A First Aid Certificate (unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402) which is current for the first year of the programme.
• Immunity evidence
  In order to participate in the clinical components of the programme, the applicant must meet all relevant Health Authority requirements including evidence of immunity to nominated diseases. Currently, MRSA clearance is required by most clinical practice areas.
• Consent to Disclosure of Information
  Successful applicants will be required to complete a New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form. The form will be sent to the Police Licensing and Vetting Service, and returned in confidence to the Curriculum Manager. Information on the Vetting Service is available from the New Zealand Police website.

The applicant’s personal statement, referee information, and interview (if required) should provide evidence of appropriateness to study for the nursing profession.

Please see the Supporting documents section for more information and form templates.

So we may best understand your personal application we ask you to complete a questionnaire to provide further details. 

Supporting document requirements(external link)

Please budget approx. $1,400.00 for the Bachelor of Nursing Programme in Year 1 to cover: 

• Textbooks - you can see what you need and buy them from: http://textbooksrus.co.nz/nmit(external link)
• Uniform (two uniform tops, pants and shoes) $300
• Associated clinical costs (travel and accommodation) $300
• ClinicalKey (online textbooks and course resources) $100 annually
• Nursing Kit - $51.50

In this programme, you have the opportunity to join the whānau group to build whanaungatanga. You will join with graduates and your peers across all years of nursing study.

Attend the annual National Māori Student Hui, strengthen your Māori cultural identity, be part of the Facebook group and attend regular group hui.

You will gain new friends, role models and opportunities to network as well as being part of the solution to improving Māori health outcomes.

Clinical practice will be gained in a variety of settings in Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and the West Coast. The hours of nursing practice will vary considerably depending on the agency in which you are placed e.g. shifts could include: 9am – 5pm, 7am –3.30pm, 2.30pm – 11pm.

All students will be required to travel outside the Nelson region at various stages during the three years and will also be required to work shifts. Year Three of the degree in the transition to practice course, students are encouraged to work rostered and rotating shifts, which include weekends and nights.

Students are required to provide their own transport to practice placements and may be required to meet their own travel and accommodation costs.

As a graduates you can work in many different areas of nursing, either in hospitals or in the community, e.g medical, surgical, emergency department, mental health, public health and rural health nursing.

You can learn more about nursing careers on the Careers New Zealand website(external link).

Many of our students are adults balancing the demands of study with family commitments. For those with young children, there is a childcare centre on the Nelson campus providing full or part time care.

The centre cares for children of six months to five years old. Early booking is essential. Ph (03) 548 0104.

Part time study is also an option; the Bachelor of Nursing programme may be completed over five years instead of three years.

NMIT has suspended their vaccination policy and proof of vaccination is no longer required for anyone studying, working at, or visiting NMIT sites as of Wednesday 13 April 2022. The only exception is those still under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021.

A shift in the government and community response to the pandemic has led to a review of the 2021 Te Pūkenga position on COVID-19 vaccination mandates. To align with the Te Pūkenga position, the NMIT COVID-19 vaccination policy is to be suspended.

Under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 all NMIT nursing and healthcare staff and learners must still receive three doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Please discuss any study or health concerns with your tutor or programme area. 

For all queries, please email covid@nmit.ac.nz

See the full NMIT COVID-19 update(external link) here.