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Bachelor of Nursing

Are you after a diverse, challenging and rewarding career that makes a real difference to people’s lives and society? Develop the skills you need to be a well-rounded, registered nurse, and an effective team member of New Zealand’s healthcare sector, by studying Unitec’s Bachelor of Nursing. 

Level
7
Credits
360 (3.0 EFTS)
Campus
Waitākere
Start dates
February or July
Duration
Full-time for three years

Programme overview

Note: International applications for Semester 2, 2024 have closed.

Our Bachelor of Nursing is underpinned by a belief that in today’s constantly changing healthcare environment, people, their whānau, and their community’s complex and diverse health needs require nurses who are well-educated, research-informed, and adept in critical thinking. 

We believe the best way to develop and train nurses is through a balance of thinking and doing, so you’ll get to apply your learning in a range of health-related areas and on placements at a variety of hospitals and health centres across the Auckland region. This is to ensure you graduate confident and work-ready.

Our Bachelor of Nursing is the only programme in West Auckland which prepares you for registration as a nurse and is approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand. 

Bachelor of Nursing highlights

  • Learn from an experienced and multi-cultural team, many of whom still work in clinical nursing practice, and whose value of partnership and care is reflected in quality teaching, support, and innovative curriculum delivery.
  • We’re proud to attract a diverse student population which reflects our local population.
  • Practice what you’ve learnt in a range of health-related areas, at a variety of hospitals and health centres across the Auckland region. Placement experiences range in disciplines (from acute care, surgery and medicine to rehabilitation/disability, preventative care, mental health and primary care). Locations include but are not limited to WDHB, the Mason Clinic, and primary health care organisations.
  • Access to the Waitākere Hospital Awhina Simulation Centre.
  • Over the three years of your degree, you’ll complete a minimum of 1100 hours of practice placements and approximately 100 hours in the Awhina Simulation lab at Waitākere Hospital. In your final year, you’ll work rostered nursing duties as you transition into professional nursing practice.

Programme content includes:

  • Human biology and nursing skills
  • Pharmacology
  • Effective assessment, management and communication of patient care
  • Specialist areas of nursing including care (medical and surgical), primary care, mental health, and family and community nursing. All contexts of nursing are evidence-based, ensuring the most current practice standards.
  • Evaluation of ethical dilemmas in clinical nursing practice
  • Exploration of the role and application of technology in the healthcare environment

Scholarship

We have up to 6 Bachelor of Nursing scholarships available, worth $1,000 each. Find out more information below!

Bachelor of Nursing scholarship

What next?
Once you've successfully completed this programme, and successfully passed the Nursing Council of New Zealand state exam, you'll be eligible to become a registered nurse.

 

Programme Structure

The programme structure for the Bachelor of Nursing in 2024 is:
 
 Year 1Year 2Year 3
Course 1HCBN5101 Human Biology for Nursing Practice 1
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
HCBN6106 Knowledge for Nursing Practice 3 A: Physical Health
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
30 credits
HCBN7101 Evidence for Nursing Practice
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
10 credits
Course 2HCBN5102 Interpersonal Relationships
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
HCBN6107 Nursing the Person with Altered Physical Health 3 A
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
30 credits
HCBN7102 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
10 credits
Course 3HCBN5103 Management of Nursing Care 1
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
 HCBN7103 Knowledge for Nursing Practice 4: Family, Whanau and Community Nursing
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
10 credits
Course 4HCBN5104 Professional Responsibility
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
 HCBN7104 Family, Whanau and Community Nursing
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
30 credits
Course 5HCBN5105 Health and Wellness
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
HCBN6101 Maori Health
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
HCBN7105 Contemporary Issues in Nursing and Health Care
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
10 credits
Course 6HCBN5106 Nursing the Person with Long Term Health Needs
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
HCBN6102 Knowledge for Nursing Practice 2: Mental Health and Addictions
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
HCBN7106 Transition to Registered Nurse Practice
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
50 credits
Course 7HCBN5107 Management of Nursing Care 2
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
HCBN6103 Nursing the Person with Altered Mental Health or Addiction
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
30 credits
 
Course 8HCBN5108 Human Biology for Nursing Practice 2
Class number(s): No classes scheduled
15 credits
  
 
This example programme overview is a guide only and assumes full-time study. Please check timetables carefully as not every course is offered each semester. Programme requirements and class numbers are subject to change.

Admission requirements

What you will need to study this programme. 


Domestic students

Academic requirements

You must have completed at least one of the following:

  • Achieved University Entrance:
    • 3 subjects – at NCEA Level 3 or above, made up of 14 credits each, in three approved subjects
    • Literacy – 10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing
    • Numeracy – 10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above, made up of Achievement standards – specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or Unit standards – package of three numeracy unit standards(26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required)
    • A minimum of 12 credits at NQF Level 2 or higher from one science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Science)
    • All applicants must provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the Programme as demonstrated by the equivalence of 10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing 
  • ​Successful completion of the Certificate of University Preparation with a minimum of 60% in Foundation Human Bioscience.
And meet one of the English entry requirements;

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

Non-academic requirements

  • Two forms of ID and evidence of any name changes if applicable (these should confirm that you are, or will be, 16 years old at the start of the programme);
  • A personal statement describing why you’re passionate about nursing and any life experiences that might enhance your application;
  • self-declaration of medical conditions;
  • Consent to a safety check as set out in the Children’s Regulations 2015, which includes:
    • Completion of an NZ police vetting form;
    • The names of two referees whom Unitec or your placement provider can contact (if applicable);
    • A CV showing a chronological summary of your work history for the past 5 years and the name of any professional organisations, licensing authorities, and registration authorities that you have been or are a member of (if applicable).
When you receive an offer of place:
  1. Attend a face-to-face interview;
  2. Complete or provide a current First Aid certificate from an OSH-approved source (a requirement for clinical placements). Find out more about Unitec's First Aid course here;
  3. Meet various Health Authority requirements, including providing evidence of immune status;
  4. If you have studied an undergraduate nursing programme at another New Zealand tertiary provider, you must submit a confidential report from the institution from which you are transferring;

Note on referees: One referee needs to be an employer where you have worked with the public, and one from a teacher (or similar) who can discuss your character.

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 540 KB)


International students

Academic requirements 

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies, and they should meet the country-specific admission requirement or have completed one of the following:

And English entry requirements;

​If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

Non-academic requirements

  • Two forms of ID and evidence of any name changes if applicable (these should confirm that you are, or will be, 16 years old at the start of the programme);
  • A personal statement describing why you’re passionate about nursing and any life experiences that might enhance your application;
  • self-declaration of medical conditions;
  • Consent to a safety check as set out in the Children’s Regulations 2015, which includes:
    • Completion of an NZ police vetting form;
    • The names of two referees whom Unitec or your placement provider can contact (if applicable);
    • A CV showing a chronological summary of your work history for the past 5 years and the name of any professional organisations, licensing authorities, and registration authorities you have been or are a member of (if applicable).
When you receive an offer of place:
  1. Attend a face-to-face interview;
  2. Complete or provide a current First Aid certificate from an OSH-approved source (a requirement for clinical placements). Find out more about Unitec's First Aid course here;
  3. Meet various Health Authority requirements, including providing evidence of immune status;
  4. If you have studied an undergraduate nursing programme at another New Zealand tertiary provider, you must submit a confidential report from the institution from which you are transferring;

Note on referees: One referee needs to be an employer where you have worked with the public, and one from a teacher (or similar) who can discuss your character.

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 540 KB)


Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.

Courses Credits Aim
Human Biology for Nursing Practice 1 (HCBN5101) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to gain human biology knowledge required for nursing practice.
Interpersonal Relationships (HCBN5102) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to communicate professionally with health consumers and members of the health care team and others.
Management of Nursing Care 1 (HCBN5103) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to manage nursing care with health consumers
Professional Responsibility (HCBN5104) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to understand the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities of nursing.
Health and Wellness (HCBN5105) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to understand the influence of socio ecological perspectives on health.
Nursing the Person with Long Term Health Needs (HCBN5106) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to apply knowledge, skills and attitudes of nursing practice in a gerontological clinical setting.
Management of Nursing Care 2 (HCBN5107) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to manage nursing care with health consumers.
Human Biology for Nursing Practice 2 (HCBN5108) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to extend human biology knowledge required for nursing practice.
Courses Credits Aim
Maori Health (HCBN6101) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to discuss and analyse the concept of Hauora and its application to the delivery of health care.
Knowledge for Nursing Practice 2: Mental Health and Addictions (HCBN6102) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to understand theoretical frameworks related to mental health and how the use of these can influence mental health or addiction nursing across the lifespan.
Nursing the Person with Altered Mental Health or Addiction (HCBN6103) 30.0 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to apply nursing knowledge and skills in a culturally safe manner with people who experience altered mental health or addiction.
Knowledge for Nursing Practice 3 A: Physical Health (HCBN6106) 30.0 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to gain knowledge relevant to physical health nursing practice in a safe manner across the lifespan
Nursing the Person with Altered Physical Health 3 A (HCBN6107) 30.0 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to utilise knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective nursing practice for people with altered physical health, throughout the lifespan
Courses Credits Aim
Evidence for Nursing Practice (HCBN7101) 10.0 credits (0.083 EFTS) To enable students to understand how evidence for practice (research and research design) supports clinical decision making.
Pharmacology for Nursing Practice (HCBN7102) 10.0 credits (0.083 EFTS) To enable students to explore the issues and concepts surrounding the use and administration of drugs and relate this knowledge to nursing practice care.
Knowledge for Nursing Practice 4: Family, Whanau and Community Nursing (HCBN7103) 10.0 credits (0.083 EFTS) To enable students to critically examine the impact of social, political, economic and environmental influences on whānau, family and community health in New Zealand throughout the lifespan.
Family, Whanau and Community Nursing (HCBN7104) 30.0 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to apply knowledge and skills to provide appropriate family, whānau and community nursing care throughout the lifespan. To enable students to develop knowledge of maternal and neonatal health and health care.
Contemporary Issues in Nursing and Health Care (HCBN7105) 10.0 credits (0.083 EFTS) To enable students to critically analyse contemporary nursing issues in relation to health care delivery, including direction and delegation within a nursing context.
Transition to Registered Nurse Practice (HCBN7106) 50.0 credits (0.417 EFTS) To enable students to prepare for the transition from student to registered nurse scope of practice.