The Bachelor of Nursing (Level 7) is the three-year degree qualification for those intending to become a registered nurse. After completing this degree, students sit the Nursing Council of New Zealand exam to complete their registration.
There is a high demand for nurses both the Waikato, throughout New Zealand, and globally, and there are strong job outcomes for Wintec nursing graduates. 98% of Wintec nursing graduates from November 2018, are currently employed as registered nurses^.
The nursing programmes at Wintec involve a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on learning in real-life healthcare environments. While studying, you will have the opportunity to provide nursing care to health consumers, whānau, and communities in supervised environments. Here you can build your knowledge and skills so that as a graduate, you can step straight into the workforce feeling confident and work-ready.
Tihei Mauri Ora Kaupapa**
Students who identify as Māori or Pacific have the option to complete their programme within the Tihei Mauri Ora Kaupapa (stream). The Tihei Mauri Ora Kaupapa is focused on improving Māori health outcomes in the community. Participation provides students with an increased focus on Māori health, customs, and protocols, as well as additional support through a manaaki model of pastoral care. This is achieved through the integration of individual knowledge and that of whānau, hapū and iwi. Tauira are encouraged to work together (mahitahi) with their academic whānau (whanaungatanga) to achieve excellence in nursing practice. You will be part of a programme where you are supported by senior nursing students and by staff in a way that is representative of Māori culture. The Tihei Mauri Ora kaupapa reinforces the need to protect and legitimise mātauranga Māori from both traditional and contemporary worlds within a professional nursing context.
Do you already hold a bachelor’s degree?
Nursing applicants who are already degree-qualified could be eligible to study the Master of Nursing Science (Pre-registration) programme. Find out more here.
This degree includes the study of:
You will learn through lectures, tutorials, directed study, online activities, simulation laboratories, and clinical practice in a variety of settings. These settings may include placements within Māori and Iwi health settings, community settings, and in hospitals. It is expected that you will complete a significant amount of self-directed study in addition to this.
Press play for an insight into what it is like to study nursing at Wintec.
Year 1 - Level 5 modules
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NURS511 | Mātauranga Whakahāngai – He Tūāpapa/ Knowledge for Practice – Foundation | 5 | 15 | ||
| NURS512 | Hauora ā-Hapori/Hauora in Communities | 5 | 15 | ||
| NURS513 | Mahi Ngaio - Ngā Momo Mōhiotanga/Professional Practice - Ways of Knowing | 5 | 15 | ||
| NURS514 | Koiora Tangata 1/Human Science 1 | 5 | 15 | ||
| NURS521 | Mātauranga Whakahāngai – He Hāpai Hauora/Knowledge for Practice – Primary Care | 5 | 15 | NURS511 NURS512 NURS513 NURS514 | NURS522 |
| NURS522 | Wā Whakanohonoho – Te Whānau me te Hapori/Clinical Practicum – Primary Care | 5 | 15 | NURS511 NURS512 NURS513 NURS514 | NURS521 |
| NURS523 | Ngā Horopaki Papori o ngā Tapuhi o Aotearoa/Social Context of Nursing in Aotearoa | 5 | 15 | NURS511 NURS512 NURS513 NURS514 | |
| NURS524 | Koiora Tangata 2/Human Science 2 | 5 | 15 | NURS514 |
Year 2 - Level 6 modules
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NURS631 | Mātauranga Whakahāngai – Te Mahi Tiaki Rawa/Knowledge for Practice – Complex Care | 6 | 30 | All level 5 modules | |
| NURS632 | Wā Whakanohonoho – Te Mahi Tiaki Rawa/Clinical Practicum – Complex Care | 6 | 30 | All level 5 modules | |
| NURS641 | Mātauranga Whakahāngai – Te Mahi Tiaki Tonu/Knowledge for Practice – Continuing Care | 6 | 15 | NURS631 NURS632 | |
| NURS642 | Wā Whakanohonoho – Te Mahi Tiaki Tonu/Clinical Practicum – Continuing Care | 6 | 30 | NURS631 NURS632 | |
| NURS643 | Hauora Māori | 6 | 15 | All level 5 modules |
Year 3 - Level 7 modules
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NURS751 | Mātauranga whakahāngai – Hauora ā-Hinengaro me ngā Waranga/Knowledge for Practice – Mental Health and Addictions | 7 | 15 | All level 6 modules | |
| NURS752 | Wā Whakanohonoho – Hauora ā-Hinengaro me ngā Waranga/Clinical Practicum – Mental Health and Addictions | 7 | 30 | All level 6 modules | |
| NURS753 | Te Whakaaroaro mō te Whakahaere Rongoā/Clinical Reasoning for Medication Management | 7 | 15 | All level 6 modules | |
| NURS761 | Ārahitanga me te Rangahau mō te Mahi Tapuhi/Leadership and Research for Nursing | 7 | 15 | All level 6 modules | |
| NURS762 | Te Mahi Kōtui/Integrated Practice | 7 | 45 | NURS751 NURS752 NURS753 |
In her first year of a nursing degree, Dayna Samuel won the Dame Te Ātairangikaahu Nursing Scholarship and was approached by the general manager of private healthcare company Griffin Healthcare to work as a psychiatric assistant, midwifery aide, and healthcare assistant.
“One of my old friends, who I met in foundation studies, works for the company and she told them about me. I was approached by the general manager to see if I wanted a job.”
As a midwifery aide, Dayna goes out with a lead maternity carer to assist; this could be cleaning up a mess or comforting family. Her role as a healthcare assistant is similar as she works on the floor, helping nurses with whatever they need doing.
Working as a psychiatric assistant is the hardest part of her job, as she goes on call outs with the crisis team who are part of the Waikato District Health Board, but she says her time at Wintec is preparing her well for what she has to face.
“It’s not all Shortland Street mode. [The degree] is difficult, but it prepares you for the harsh world and the harsh reality of nursing. It also teaches you that you do have to work hard; it doesn’t just get handed to you. Here, they teach you hard work and independence and self-reliance.”
Studying in the Tihei Mauri Ora stream has created a support network for Dayna that goes beyond classroom friendships.
“Tihei Mauri Ora (TMO) is a stream offered to Māori and Pacific students in nursing. I like the quote ‘struggle together, succeed together’ and that’s what TMO is about. We’re there for each other during school, and outside of school, we help each other out because we all have our strengths and weaknesses, and we put our strengths together.”
“My study would have been different if I wasn’t in the TMO stream.”
Graduates will sit a Nursing Council of New Zealand registration exam to become a registered nurse.
Roles can include:
Once you have submitted your application
After you have accepted your offer
Do you already have a bachelor's degree?
You could be eligible to study the Master of Nursing Science (Pre-registration) programme. Find out more.
General academic admission
a) Candidates are required to have:
i) University Entrance (UE) or equivalent is the minimum requirement to enter the Bachelor of Nursing programme. To qualify for entry you will need NCEA Level 3 comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or above and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, including:
(1) 14 credits each at NCEA Level 3 in three approved subjects made up of:
(a) 14 credits in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Science;
(b) 14 credits in an English language-rich subject (such as English, History, Art History, Classics, Geography, Economics, Media Studies or Religious Studies); and
(c) 14
credits in one further approved subject.
ii) Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
(1) 5 credits in reading
(2) 5 credits in writing
iii) Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
(1) achievement standards – specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or
(2) unit standards - package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required).
b) Candidates who have studied on a Nursing Degree programme at another institution will need to meet the Bachelor of Nursing programme entry requirements or equivalent. They will also need evidence of a B grade average (i.e. above a B minus average) and a letter of recommendation and a confidential report on the student from the Head of School of the previous programme, before they will be considered for admission to the Bachelor of Nursing programme.
c) Applicants who have completed an approved foundation, bridging or tertiary introductory programme in Health at Level 4, with 50% or higher in all modules will be considered for admission to the Bachelor of Nursing programme.
UE 2020
Applicants who achieved University Entrance through NCEA in 2020 will be assessed under separate NZQA entry requirements that take into account the impacts of COVID-19. Candidates are required to have:
Special admission
Domestic candidates aged 20 years or over who do not meet the General Academic Admission requirements but whose skills, education or work experience indicate that they have a reasonable chance of success may be eligible for Special Admission. Special admission will be granted at the discretion of the Centre Director or designated nominee. Such candidates may be required to successfully complete a foundation, bridging or tertiary introductory programme as a condition of entry into the Bachelor of Nursing.
Selection criteria
a) All candidates are required to:
i) complete the standard Wintec application form
ii) complete a self-declaration of criminal convictions
iii) complete a self-declaration of mental or physical condition
Candidates may also be required to provide additional information and/or attend an interview in order for their application to be assessed.
b) Registered and Enrolled Nurses applying to enter the programme are required to provide verified copies of qualifications and Annual Practising Certificates (APC).
c) Candidates are required in their application to indicate whether they have been convicted of, or are prosecuted for, a criminal offence. Candidates should be aware that, under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act (2003) some types of criminal conviction may result in the NCNZ declining a person registration in the registered nurse scope of practice.
d) Candidates are required in their application to indicate whether they have had a mental or physical condition that may prevent them entering the Bachelor of Nursing programme. Candidates should be aware that, under the HPCA Act (2003) some types
of physical or mental conditions may result in the NCNZ declining a person registration in the registered nurse scope of practice.
Clinical placement requirement
a) Before undertaking clinical placement within the programme, candidates will be required to provide a written health and immunity status assessment from their health practitioner.
b) Candidates who do not have current registration as a Nurse must hold a current First Aid Certificate (covering NZQA Unit Standards 6400, 6401 and 6402) prior to undertaking clinical placement in the programme.
Safety check
In order to comply with the provisions of the Vulnerable Children’s Act, 2014 and Child Protection Policies for all ‘specified organisations’ providing a ‘regulated service’, all candidates/students will be subjected
to safety checks. These will include but are not limited to;
i. A Formal Interview
ii. Referee Checks
iii. A Police Vet Check
iv. A Risk Assessment
Any unsatisfactory result arising from the full safety checking process may result in the candidate/student being precluded/declined entry or withdrawn from the programme of study. Furthermore, students must declare any pending or new convictions arising during any stage throughout the entire enrolment period. A conviction or failure to declare a conviction may also result in the student being immediately withdrawn from the programme. Persons who are convicted of ‘specified offences’ will not be accepted onto any programme that requires that person to work in an organisation providing a regulated service.
English language requirements
Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.5 across all bands; or Equivalent.
To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.
Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.
Semester 1 2025
Venue: Events Room 1, City Campus
Venue: The Atrium, City Campus
Sessions include:
Returning students, please check your timetable below for your first day of class.
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