Bachelor of Nursing

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.

We do offer a limited number of places for part-time study over five years.

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 nursing@op.ac.nz.
  • 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 for Varicella Zoster (Chicken Pox), Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Boostrix/Tdap (diptheria, tetanus and whooping cough), Influenza, and Covid-19. Screening for Tuberculosis is no longer a requirement unless you are deemed to be high risk.

In the last five years, if you have lived/worked/travelled to a high-risk country (>40 cases/100,000 population) you will be required to be screened for tuberculosis. Check the World Health Organisation website for a list of specific high TB burden country profiles >

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.

Additional costs 

You will be required to purchase:

• Textbooks $383.50 (plus AU$148.50 for year 2 only)
• Uniforms  (Tunic $89, Scrub top $40, pants $60, plus additional cost for black leather closed toe shoes)  
• Equipment $160
• Immunisation Status Blood Test $300 (depending on provider)

You will also need to have a laptop or device which has Win7 or above or IOS Maverick.

There will be additional accommodation and travel costs associated with clinical placements.

There is an expectation that you will travel out of town to complete at least one placement during the second and third year of the Bachelor of Nursing programme. All associated costs for these placements are your responsibility.

Please note: All costs are approximate.

Multi-year fees

The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.

Preferred application date

Applications are preferred by 30 September each year, however the Selection Committee will continue to review applications received after this date.

Completing your application

Before you apply, ensure you understand the application process and all the requirements you need to meet. 

Please make sure you have read through the Entry section on this page carefully which lists all of these requirements. 

You can enter information and upload documents directly into your online application.

To find out more about what will happen with your application, click here. 

To begin your application, click the Apply now button on this page below the grey boxes.