Program Overview

---

Bachelor of Nursing

The Bachelor of Nursing at Waikato is a three-year degree program that prepares students for a fulfilling career in nursing. Delivered in partnership with local healthcare providers, the program combines high academic standards with extensive hands-on learning in real healthcare settings from day one.

Program Overview

The program has a specific focus on equity, wellbeing, and Māori and Pacific health, with opportunities to specialize in mental health and addictions. Students divide their time between the University campus in Hamilton and health providers across the Waikato and Midland region. The program is supported by an experienced team of registered nurses and other health professionals.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing can pursue careers as registered nurses in various settings, including:

• Primary and community health care (e.g., general practice, hospice, district, community mental health)
• Hospital-based care (e.g., neonatal units, emergency department, intensive care, acute mental health, pediatrics)

Program Structure

The program consists of three years of full-time study, with a total of 360 points. The program is offered in Hamilton, and students can start in February.

Degree Information

The Bachelor of Nursing degree is offered by the Division of Health. The program includes a range of papers, such as:

• NURSE101 Health Assessment and Nursing Practice
• NURSE102 Applied Health Science 1
• NURSE103 Nursing Practicum 1A
• NURSE104 The Socio-Political Context of Health and Healthcare
• NURSE112 Applied Health Science 1B
• NURSE113 Nursing Practicum 1B
• NURSE120 Navigating Hauora for Nurses

Year 1

In the first year, students take papers such as:

• NURSE101 Health Assessment and Nursing Practice
• NURSE102 Applied Health Science 1
• NURSE103 Nursing Practicum 1A
• NURSE104 The Socio-Political Context of Health and Healthcare
• NURSE112 Applied Health Science 1B
• NURSE113 Nursing Practicum 1B
• NURSE120 Navigating Hauora for Nurses

Year 2

In the second year, students take papers such as:

• NURSE201 Health Assessment and Nursing Practice 2
• NURSE202 Applied Health Science 2A
• NURSE203 Nursing Practicum 2A
• NURSE204 Pharmacology for Nurses
• NURSE212 Applied Health Science 2B
• NURSE213 Nursing Practicum 2B
• NURSE220 Facilitating Hauora in Aotearoa

Year 3

In the third year, students take papers such as:

• NURSE301 Health Assessment and Nursing Practice 3
• NURSE302 Applied Health Science 3
• NURSE303 Nursing Practicum 3
• NURSE305 Generating and Interpreting Evidence for Clinical Practice

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Nursing program, students must meet the admission requirements for the University. The Nursing selection process includes provision of a personal statement, referee checks, and a criminal record check. Selection of applicants is based on both academic background and suitability for nursing.

Fees and Scholarships

The estimated fees for the Bachelor of Nursing program are $8,765 per year, plus additional ancillary costs. Students can apply for scholarships through the University's Scholarship finder.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing program will be able to:

• Conduct comprehensive health assessments
• Synthesize findings into a plan of care
• Have an in-depth knowledge of physiological systems
• Describe the relationship between disease states and altered functioning
• Integrate knowledge and experience to transition to the Registered Nurse role
• Be effective communicators
• Establish therapeutic client relationships
• Implement and evaluate therapeutic interventions
• Practice independently and in collaboration with other health professionals

Practical Experience

Students will undertake at least 1,100 hours of clinical experience throughout the program. Within each trimester, there are both teaching and clinical blocks.

Bachelor of Nursing with Honours

The Bachelor of Nursing with Honours program provides an option for students with high levels of academic performance who are employed in clinical practice and have leadership potential.

Ancillary Costs

There are some additional costs associated with becoming a nurse, including:

• University of Waikato Nursing Uniform
• Travel to placement and parking
• Evidence of Health Clearance Status (e.g., GP/health professional fee, serology tests)