New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5)

Your workload

You must meet both theoretical and clinical enrolled nursing requirements during this applied diploma and the workload is demanding.

You can expect to spend approximately 40 hours per week on this full-time course and should expect a range of assessments to evaluate learning.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements 

• NCEA Level 2, which must include 12 credits in Level 1 Mathematics.

Alternative requirements 

• Evidence of literacy, numeracy, and an ability to study at the appropriate level. This can be through study, work, and/or life experience (assessments are available). Applicants are required to have competent computer skills.

Additional requirements 

• You will need to supply a cover letter, CV, Level 2 Comprehensive First Aid Certificate (including unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402) that is valid for at least semester one of your programme, health declaration form, two referee reports (demonstrating your character, community/work-related skills, and suitability to become a nurse) and give permission for a police check. Please see the Completing your application section below for more information.
• You may also have to undertake an interview and need to have competent computer skills.

English requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • 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, OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for a list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

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.

Health and immunisation status

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.

Covid-19 vaccination information

You don’t need to supply evidence of your Covid-19 vaccination status to apply for this programme. However, most placement providers will require evidence from you that you are fully vaccinated before allowing you to complete a placement at their organisation. Placements are an integral part of this programme and you’ll need to complete these to be able to successfully achieve your qualification.

Risks and immunisation status

Once you have been accepted into the programme, you will be notified that you must produce current evidence of immunisation status. You are encouraged to be immunised against Hepatitis B. Not having this immunisation will impact access to some clinical placements and progression in your course may be affected.

Please note: The cost for the blood test to ascertain your immunity status is about $300. This is not part of your tuition fees so is an additional cost on top of that.

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 Commissioner.

Selection process

Student 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
• Referee reports that identify applicants as highly suitable (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.

The selection process for 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. 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 includes 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:

• Place offered pending results of Police Vetting
• Wait-listed
• Waiting results
• 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 New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing Selection Committee Chairperson to discuss the outcome of their application. 

Applications officially close 30 September, the Selection Committee will continue to review applications received after this date.

Fees Free

The Government is running a funding scheme called Fees Free for domestic learners. This scheme normally pays for your first year of study if you’ve never been enrolled in tertiary study over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher in New Zealand. 

You can check your Fees Free eligibility here > 

Fees Free also only covers your tuition fees. You will still need to pay for things like accommodation, living costs and equipment. 

You can pay for additional or living costs by yourself if that is possible or by applying for a loan or allowance through Studylink. 

Tuition 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.

Student Services Fee

For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.

Additional costs

You will be required to purchase:

• Textbooks $300
• Uniforms $250
• Equipment (including headphones) $260
• Immunity status blood test $300

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

For Windows computers, you'll need a minimum of Windows 8.1 or higher (we recommend Windows 10). 

For Apple computers, you'll need a minimum of Mac OS X 10.14 or higher.  

Please note: All costs are approximate. 

A change for 2023 enrolments

When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.

How to apply

For a step-by-step guide to applying for the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing, please click here.

Completing your application

You can enter information and upload documents directly into the application form. You may wish to prepare some of the required documentation beforehand.

To begin your application, click the Apply button at the top of this page.

You will need to provide:

1.  Academic records

2.  Written statements about:

• your reasons for wanting to study this programme
• your skills and experience

3.  Your Curriculum Vitae

4.  A current First Aid Certificate

5.  A health declaration

6.  Police vetting and declaration of any criminal convictions. (Applicants who have lived in countries other than New Zealand need to provide a Police Clearance from each country.)

7.  Contact details for two referees - (one academic and one employer or community representative.)

8.  Certified copies of proof of identity

9.  Proof of residency (where appropriate).