About the programme
The Bachelor of Nursing is a NZQF Level 7 programme at Whitireia & WelTec that prepares students over three full-time years (360 credits) for registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Completing it allows graduates to sit the Council's State Final Examination and, once they pass, to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse.
Whitireia has trained nurses for close to four decades and is known nationally for graduates who are ready for practice and culturally competent. The degree builds the knowledge, clinical skills and cultural awareness needed to improve the health of individuals, families and communities across New Zealand. It is one of three Council-approved pathways, alongside the Bachelor of Nursing Māori and the Bachelor of Nursing Pacific.
Learning combines classroom sessions, online work on the Moodle platform, independent study, practice in simulation suites and clinical placements in hospital and community settings. Students need a computer and dependable internet at home for the online component. Before starting, everyone completes health screening and shows current immunisation status, as placement providers require it.
Given the workload, the institute recommends no more than 10 hours of paid work a week. The programme is aimed at people who want to support others through significant and difficult moments and build a career in healthcare. Teaching takes place at the Porirua campus.
Entry requirements
- Whitireia degree entry requirements or equivalent academic or work experience
- Evidence of suitability: interview, health screening, safety check and referee reports
- International applicants: proven equivalence plus IELTS (Academic) 6.5 in each band
- Evidence of current immunisation status before the programme begins
What you study
- Classroom teaching
- Online learning via Moodle
- Simulation suites for clinical skills practice
- Clinical placements in healthcare and community settings
Careers after graduation
- Sitting the Nursing Council of New Zealand State Final Examination
- Registration as a Registered Nurse
- Nursing roles in healthcare and community settings
- Further study such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing or in Primary Health Care Specialty Nursing
Post-study work visa
Equal to the length of the programme, 3 years maximum
Depends on the qualification, the length of study and other Immigration New Zealand requirements.
This description is based on the official programme page, checked on 09/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the Whitireia & WelTec website