New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5)
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.
Domestic
About the programme
Prepare 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.
International
About the programme
Prepare 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.
What You Study
Courses
The New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5) provides enrolled nursing courses with a blended delivery structure of face-to-face teaching, online learning, simulation suite, practical sessions and clinical practice placements. This provides a rich learning environment due to your exposure to a diversity of clients and health needs.
Course | Level | Credits |
Year One | ||
Nursing as a Profession: Enrolled Nursing | 4 | 15 |
Applied Structure and Function of the Human Body | 4 | 15 |
Applied Social Science for Enrolled Nurses | 4 | 15 |
Clinical Skills for Enrolled Nursing | 4 | 15 |
Foundations for Enrolled Nursing Practice | 4 | 30 |
Enrolled Nursing Practice: Rehabilitation and Community | 5 | 30 |
Total (Year One) | 120 | |
Year Two | ||
Enrolled Nursing Practice: Acute Care | 5 | 30 |
Enrolled Nursing Practice: Mental Health and Addictions | 5 | 30 |
Total (Year Two) | 60 |
Workload
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
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.
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 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.
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 COVID-19, varicella, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and tuberculosis.
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 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
Domestic fees
International fees
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.
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.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
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.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
Application
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).
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.