Explore your options
A nursing qualification from Unitec opens up lots of career paths. You could work in child health, aged care, acute hospital care, rehabilitation, mental health, or primary health care.
During your studies you’ll get lots of opportunities to ask questions, solve problems, and treat real patients in clinical practice settings over a minimum of 1100 hours. Visits to the North Shore or Waitākere Hospitals, Mason Clinic, Rehab Plus, private surgical hospitals, and primary healthcare organisations will open your eyes to your future workplace options.
You'll also spend time at the Education and Practice Simulation Centre at Waitākere Hospital - a high-tech, simulated hospital environment where you can practice your nursing skills.
You’ll graduate with in-depth knowledge and skills in everything from anatomy, physiology, and mental health, to acute care, human development, and bioscience. You'll be confident and well prepared to sit the Nursing Council of New Zealand state exam, which is the final step to becoming eligible for registration as a nurse in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Programmes and study path
| PROGRAMME | LEVEL | DURATION | CAREER OPTIONS | START DATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) | 3 | Full-time for 16 weeks or part-time options available | Entry into further study at certificate or diploma level. | February or July |
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) - Health | 4 | Full-time for 16-weeks or part-time options available | This programme prepares you for study toward a career in nursing | February or July |
| Bachelor of Nursing | 7 | Full-time for three years | District nurse, Nurse educator, Plunket nurse, Practice nurse, Public health nurse | February or July |
Short courses
| Short courses | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| First Aid and CPR | This two day workshop provides participants with a range of first aid skills, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). On successful completion of the course, you will receive a First Aid Certificate.... | |
| Competency Assessment Programme - for Internationally Qualified Nurses | This course is designed to enable and provide internationally-qualified nurses with the skills and knowledge to practice within New Zealand’s health context. | |
| Competency Assessment Programme - Return to Nursing | This course is designed to meet the needs of New Zealand qualified Registered Nurses planning to return to practice after a break in service. |
Industry connections
Industry accreditation
The Bachelor of Nursing is endorsed by the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Industry opportunities
Benefit from hands-on practice placements at the Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland District Health Board, and primary health organisations.
Industry contacts
To make sure our programmes keep up with the latest developments, we get regular feedback from Waitemata and Auckland District Health Boards, New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Wharangi Ruamano, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuarangi, and more.
Awhina Health Campus
Based in the heart of Waitākere Hospital, the Awhina Health Campus is an innovative joint venture between Unitec and the Waitemata District Health Board. The campus provides opportunities for learning, innovation and collaboration for our health science and social practice students.
The building is also home to the Nursing Simulation Centre, which Unitec nursing students have been using since 2006. It is also a physical and virtual hub that works alongside community organisations to encourage and promote collaboration and develop the future health workforce in West Auckland.
