Nursing
A degree in nursing is a passport to the world!
Nursing is one of the fundamental professions in health care throughout the world. It is a rewarding career which offers opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives and a Bachelor of Nursing is the key that opens the door to these opportunities.
What does a nurse do?
Nurses provide a variety of care throughout peoples’ lives. This will involve working with individuals, families and/or groups of clients, in collaboration with other health professionals. There are a range of practice areas in which Registered Nurses may specialise including medical and surgical, mental health, child health/paediatrics, aged care and primary health care.
What skills do I need?
- A sound knowledge base including a proven ability in English and biology or chemistry.
- Excellent communications skills with people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Excellent people skills
- The ability to work well under pressure and use healthy coping skills.
- Excellent problem-solving and decision making skills.
- A passion and enthusiasm for working with people.
What opportunities are there in the industry?
Registered nurses have a wide variety of career options within New Zealand and throughout the world. The options include employment as a nurse within hospitals, health centres, community agencies, public health, Plunket, rest homes or in a variety of workplaces. A registered nurse’s scope of practice is broad and varied and enables entry to a working life in health wherever a nursing qualification is required and registered nurses’ employment options are constantly widening in healthcare.
Our graduates are in high demand throughout New Zealand and the western world due to their high calibre, their work-readiness and a worldwide shortage of nurses. There is a particularly high demand for more Maori and Pasifika nurses. There is now an established career pathway to Nurse Practitioner. Further educational opportunities are available for practice specialisation.
How much can I earn?
New graduates earn over $40,000 per year. The median wage for a Registered Nurse in New Zealand is $50,000. Salaries will vary depending on your career progression and level of responsibility
Competency Assessment Programmes
Domestic registered nurses
This programme is offered to New Zealand registered nurses who require a Competence Assessment Programme to obtain a current annual practicing certificate. It aims to update nurses with the current skills and knowledge required to be part of a healthcare team in New Zealand. Successful completion of a Competence Assessment Programme, enables an individual nurse to demonstrate his or her ability to meet the Nursing Council of New Zealand competencies for his or her scope of practice.
Download the fact sheet for further information (PDF).
International registered nurses
This programme is offered to international registered nurses who require a Competence Assessment Programme to obtain nursing registration in New Zealand. It aims to educate nurses who have undertaken their nursing studies outside of New Zealand, to the highest professional standards and prepare them to be part of a healthcare team in New Zealand.
Download the fact sheet for further information (PDF).
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