Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Otago PolytechnicThis course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Diploma
Duration
18 months
Next start date
Expected Jul 2027
Campus
Dunedin Campus
This programme will give you the skills you need to apply for registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) as an Enrolled Nurse. Upon graduation, you’ll then need to pass the NCNZ Registration Exam and meet other criteria to be issued with a practicing certificate to work as an Enrolled Nurse.
About the programmePrepare to apply for registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) as an Enrolled Nurse. New Zealand Enrolled Nurses deliver nursing care and health education across a range of health care settings under the direction of a Registered Nurse.
They have a variety of roles and work in partnership with health consumers, families/whānau, and multidisciplinary teams. Find out what an Enrolled Nurse does.
Our 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.
During this programme, you'll benefit from access to state-of-the-art Dunedin nursing facilities, the latest industry knowledge, and the support and advice from highly experienced teachers. You will gain knowledge and skills in nursing, social sciences, and the structure and function of the human body.
Time spent in our clinical practice facility and on clinical placement will give you vital hands-on experience and allow you to put your theory into 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. This programme may provide a pathway into our three-year Bachelor of Nursing qualification or any of our other health professional degrees.
Please note: Upon completion of the diploma, graduates must pass the NCNZ Registration Examination and meet other criteria to be issued with a practicing certificate and to be able to work as an Enrolled Nurse.
NCEA Level 2, which must include 12 credits in Level 1 Mathematics and 12 credits in Level 2 Science subjects, or New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) or Otago Polytechnic Health Pathway or A New Zealand Certificate at Level 4 or above in a relevant health or science subject e.g. exercise, massage therapy, sport, or A recognised equivalent (e.g. bridging or pre-health programme).
International requirements and equivalenceFor assessments other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate; Cambridge Examination), you will be assessed for academic entry equivalency.
This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.
Discretionary entry This is an alternative pathway for applicants who do not meet standard entry criteria.
This is at the discretion of the Head of Nursing and is dependent on availability of places in the programme.
Additional requirementsAlong with completing our application form, you will need to supply: a cover letter including your reasons for wanting to study this programme and any skills and experience a CV a health declaration, and two referee reports (demonstrating your academic, community and work-related skills).
You may also have to undertake an interview.
Please note To be able to do the clinical components of this programme, you'll need to meet various Health Authority requirements.
You will also need to buy a uniform.
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 includes reference checking, work history, identity check, police vetting, and an overall assessment of the applicant's safety to work with children.
If you are accepted into this programme, you will need 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.
English Language requirementsIf English is not your first language, you must provide: New Zealand University Entrance OR Overall IELTS 6.5 (academic, no 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.
Please note Tests must be from an outside organisation.
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is not accepted by the Nursing Council of New Zealand for English Language proficiency.
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 practices in New Zealand, including acute hospital, community and mental health settings during this programme.
If you are accepted into this programme, you will need to supply evidence of your vaccination status.
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 a needle-stick, through to potential harms to service users which may be reported to the Health and Disability Commissioner.
Selection processStudent selection is the responsibility of the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing Selection Committee.
Criteria for assessing suitability are: Academic records that meet the entry criteria References that identify applicants as highly suitable (both referee reports will be considered as they are expected to identify strengths in different areas) A CV that is congruent with referee reports and academic transcripts.
English Language requirementsare met (international or English as a second language).
Selection processfor pre-registration students to the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5) Each application is considered by the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing Selection Committee who may interview applicants.
Following the assessment of the applications, applicants are placed into four groups: Place offered pending results of Police Vetting Wait-listed Waiting results Place not offered.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their completed application.
The number of places available i...
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