Bachelor of Nursing

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 Study and Employment Pathways(external link) Hauora Pathway 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(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.

Please provide the following documents with your application:

• 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.
• A Current First Aid certificate 
  A First Aid Certificate (unit standards 6401 and 6402) is current for the programme's first year.
• Immunity evidence
  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 must 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.

Interview
Applicants who meet academic entry criteria may be required to attend an interview.

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 document requirements (external link)section for more information and form templates.

Contact our enrolments team for support if you have questions regarding the documentation requirements on 03 539 5469. 

Marlborough Campus-based students study with a blended learning approach, which reduces the need to travel between campuses.

Practical learning activities and associated assessments will continue to take place at the Nelson Campus.

Virtual classrooms

These classes will be video-linked from our Nelson campus for students studying on our Marlborough campus. Virtual classroom students meet and study together on the Marlborough campus and then interact with their fellow students, and the academic staff in Nelson via the video linking software.

Marlborough students can access Library Learner Services as required.

During the programme, you will apply your learning in a range of clinical settings, which will help you understand what it means to be a nurse. 

You will be able to respond to people needing skilled nursing care in a complex healthcare environment. 

With over 1,100 hours of clinical experience, you will learn to recognise and respond effectively to the physical, mental health, and well-being needs of people and their communities.

Meet Sam

Meet Sam - a high-tech $35,000 training mannequin who can be programmed to simulate a wide range of health conditions. 

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.

All students will be required to travel outside the Nelson region at various stages during the programme. You will also be required to work shifts. 

Students must provide their own transport to practice placements and may be required to meet their travel and accommodation costs. There are allowances available to support travel and accommodation costs.

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.

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

Campus Corner Early Learning Centre(external link) cares for children six months to five years old. Early booking is essential - ph. (03) 548 0104.

Normally, the Bachelor of Nursing programme is achieved in three years but can be completed over five years.

As a graduate, you can work in many different areas of nursing.

Career options include:

• Primary Healthcare Nursing
• District Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Public Health Nursing
• Health Promotion
• Education
• Older persons health
• and all clinical settings within Te Whatu Ora

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

The New Zealand Government no longer requires any health practitioner to be vaccinated before they can practise. However, individual employers and organisations are still permitted to maintain their own vaccination requirements.

Although mask-wearing is in general no longer compulsory, the Government does still require masks to be worn in many healthcare and disability support settings. Individual employers may also choose to require mask-wearing on their premises.

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

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

• Textbooks
• Uniform (two uniform tops, pants and shoes)
• Associated clinical costs (travel and accommodation)
• Specialist equipment, e.g. stethoscope, fob watch

Many scholarships and grants are available to support opportunities for education and research in the healthcare sector. Be sure to look into current offers.

Regarding course fees or study-related costs, we also offer a range of scholarships(external link). 

This programme is highly regarded nationally, combines theory with clinical experience, and meets the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) Competencies for the Registered Nurse Scope of Practice.

After completing the Bachelor of Nursing degree, ākonga must pass the NCNZ State Final Examination to gain registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand(external link).