奥塔哥理工学院

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, whanau 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. Maori 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 post-graduate 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.

Bridging options

The Health Bridging Certificate offered by the School of Social 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.

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.

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.

Delivery

50% of your final year will involve clinical practice