Program Overview

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Overview

Whitireia has developed a national reputation for supporting learners to become culturally competent and confident nurses. This programme offers culturally and clinically focused experiences while offering a career in the health sector that’s both challenging and rewarding.

Programme Details

Level

7

Campus

Porirua

Start Date

16/02/2026

Duration

3 years, full-time

Domestic Fees

TBA

Programme Outline

For over thirty years nursing has been a major programme at Whitireia. During this time, Whitireia has developed a reputation for producing work-ready graduates who are highly regarded by industry.

Whitireia offers applicants the choice of three Bachelor of Nursing Degrees, all of which are approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and meet the Nursing Council of New Zealand’s requirements for registration. These are the Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Māori and Bachelor of Nursing Pacific.

All are three-year full-time programmes and offer a combination of theory i.e. classroom-based sessions at our Porirua campus and supported clinical experience, which is practical/hands-on work completed in a variety of community and hospital settings.

Students who successfully complete the programme are eligible to sit the Nursing Council of New Zealand State Final Examinations. When passed, the student applies to Nursing Council for registration as a Registered Nurse.

Teaching and Learning

The Bachelor of Nursing is delivered by blended learning i.e., face to face and online learning. This means some of your lessons may be delivered via Moodle (our online learning platform), which will require you to have a computer and internet access at home.

A variety of teaching processes are used in the programme including lectures, tutorials, learning packages, workshops, ākonga presentations, online learning and practical sessions in the simulation suites where ‘hands-on’ skills are learnt and practiced.

Courses

Year one

Has a primary health care focus. Ākonga are supported to become student nurses by gaining knowledge focused on concept-based learning of nursing theory and research, nursing science, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural safety, sociology, communication and assessment. Ākonga learn clinical skills in our on-site simulation suites, as well as attending off-site clinical experiences in primary health care settings such as rest homes and community practice settings.

Year two

The ākonga has become an independent learner and is ready to add to the concepts gained through on-site workshops and context-based learning, with a focus on national health trends and simulated learning experiences. Block periods of off-site clinical learning have a focus on direct client care in mental health, community, and in-patient care settings.

Year three

The student nurse consolidates practice and theory knowledge in preparation for undertaking the roles and responsibilities of a registered nurse. Integration of knowledge, focusing on contemporary professional nursing and health issues in the local and global context, enables the ākonga to further develop in their clinical judgement, professionalism, and leadership. In the second semester students have an extended period in clinical practice to prepare for the Nursing Council State Final Examinations and registered nurse practice.

Clinical Experience

To gain a Bachelor of Nursing Degree, ākonga must complete a minimum of 1,100 hours of clinical experience (praxis). We are proud of the excellent working partnerships we have with our clinical providers, which include Te Whata Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley and private, iwi and community organisations. Their assistance enables us to provide ākonga with a variety of high-quality clinical placements, which allows ākonga to experience the range of opportunities available as a registered nurse.

In year 1, ākonga learn clinical skills in our simulation suites (which are set up like hospital wards), as well as attending off-site clinical experiences in rest homes and the community.

In years 2 & 3, ākonga will have 14–16 clinical weeks each year; these are divided into blocks of between 3–9 weeks. Please note these clinical weeks may include weekends. Hours during clinical blocks will vary according to the clinical placement, i.e., hospital shifts can include mornings 7:00am–3:30pm, afternoons 2:45–11:15pm and overnight.

Course-Related Costs

Prior to starting the programme, you'll be required to complete health screening to provide evidence of your current immunisation status, as required by our placement providers. Further information on this and the other course costs will be provided when 2025 costs are confirmed. The following costs are approximate.

• Health screening: $270
• Medical equipment: $185
• Uniform: $220
• Vaccinations (if required by clinical placement): Costs will vary depending on vaccination required i.e. flu, whooping cough
• Clinical Travel Costs: These will vary depending on where you live and where your placements are.

Entry Requirements

Academic Entry Requirements

Whitireia degree entry requirements or equivalent academic/work experience; evidence of suitability based on interview, health screening, safety check and referee reports.

International

Proven equivalence of entry requirements plus IELTS 6.5 in each band, or equivalent.

Interview/Evidence of Suitability

We may interview some applicants to determine their preparedness for study, their ability to meet the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (if applicable) and any registration board requirements in terms of being fit for registration. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following qualities:

• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Understanding of, and capability to, work in the professional health and social service sector
• Commitment and motivation to succeed

Safety Check

The Children's Act (2014) requires all ākonga, who may work with children during the course of their study, to be safety checked. Safety checking includes reference checking, work history, identity check, police vet and an overall assessment of the applicant's safety to work with children.

Credit Recognition

If you have relevant skills and knowledge through study or experiences in work or other activities, you may be able to receive credit for them when enrolling in a programme of study. This is done through a process called credit recognition.

Enrolled nurse applicants can apply for credit recognition which is assessed on an individual basis. Please note that enrolled nurse applicants will not get direct entry into year two.