- Available at Palmerston North
- Available at Wellington
- Equivalent to 3 years of full-time study
Nurses have the opportunity to do "good" in the world everyday. Many exciting and rewarding opportunities exist in nursing. A nurse combines science and technology with people skills like communication, problem solving, teaching, and compassion. Nurses touch people's lives at a time when they need help.
Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system. Caring for the sick is only one aspect of what a nurse does. Today's registered nurses work to: promote health; prevent disease; help patients and their families cope with illness, emergencies and long-term disease; save lives; make healthier communities.
Introduction
The BN is a three-year degree which provides an integrated programme of theoretical knowledge from nursing, health sciences and social sciences, together with clinical practice in both hospital and community settings. Graduates work as beginning practitioners in a wide range of health care settings, both in New Zealand and internationally.
The aim of the Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree is to prepare graduates who will:
- Be knowledgeable and skilful professional nurses able to practise in a range of settings
- Be motivated to ensure professional currency in contemporary communities
- Engage in nursing partnerships with people experiencing health/illness events using evidence-based strategies
- Contribute to the health of individuals and communities by the application of informed nursing practice
- Be eligible to apply for the State Final Exam held by the Nursing Council of New Zealand for registration as a Comprehensive nurse
What is a nurse?
- A professional in the health care field who combines the fine art of caring with scientific skills and knowledge
- A professional who cares for the sick and infirm
- An educator of patients in the issues of healthy living and wellness
- A professional who performs treatments and procedures as prescribed by physicians and nurse practitioners
The Bachelor of Nursing (BN) prepares graduates to become knowledgeable and skilful professional nurses able to practice in a range of settings and to contribute to the health of individuals and communities by the application of informed nursing practice. Graduates completing the full programme will be eligible to sit the State Final Examination and apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand for registration as a comprehensive nurse.
Enrolled nurses, graduates from other degrees and registered nurses and midwives wishing to achieve comprehensive registration as a nurse may be admitted with advanced standing.
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Career opportunities
The BN degree is the only accepted entry into the nursing profession. Nurses are present across the entire spectrum of health-service delivery. With more than 40,000 nurses registered in New Zealand, they are the largest part of the professional health workforce. The most common image of the nurse is in a hospital ward or general practice, but in reality nurses are found in a much wider range of health and disability service settings.
Where do nurses work?
- hospitals
- general practice
- maternal and infant health services
- child and adolescent health services
- residential care services
- mental health services
- community and home care services
- marae-based clinics
- independent nurse-led clinics
- public health services
- occupational health and safety
- the defence force
- sexual health services
- ACC case management
- prison health services
- emergency and disaster relief services
- policy development and implementation
- health service management
- education and research
In all of these areas, nursing knowledge and skill makes a distinctive contribution to the delivery of health care and client outcomes (Report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Nursing, 1998).
The BN degree prepares you for beginning practice in a diverse range of New Zealand health settings. Many graduates work as nurses internationally.
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Student profile
Sara Dodgshun - Staff Nurse, Surgical Ward
"Nurses are needed in every country in the world. It gives you a real sense of flexibility when considering countries you want to visit and work in.
I have enjoyed putting the skills I've learned into practice and forming relationships with the patients. It's great to put a smile on their faces because some of them are in horrible situations.
I wanted a university degree because it's of a high standard and I think it is more intense than the polytechnic courses on offer.
I'm loving learning new things, meeting new people and the whole academic side is not as daunting as I first expected it would be."
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Entry requirements
To gain entry into the Bachelor of Nursing programme students must first be pre-selected. Application packs can be requested by phoning 0800 MASSEY.
Admission to the programme is selective. Applicants must complete selective entry requirements prior to enrolment in the programme. Selective entry forms are available by calling 0800 MASSEY. Applicants are required to meet the normal requirements for entry to the University. In addition you need to meet Nursing Council of New Zealand fitness for registration requirements. A current first aid certificate and health screening are required prior to admission to Part I. A science background and computer literacy is required.
Note: All international students whose first language is not English will be required to provide satisfactory evidence of their proficiency in English, in the form of an academic IELTS score, or other equivalent recognised English language test. The IELTS score that is required for entry to the Bachelor of Nursing degree is an overall academic score of at least 6.5, with no band score of less than 6.0.
Candidates who are Registered Nurses are required to apply for admission with equivalent status and provide evidence that they hold a current Nursing Council of New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate as a registered nurse.
For general entry requirements see Massey University entry requirements.
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Delivery
The Bachelor of Nursing degree is offered at Wellington and Palmerston North, and some papers are available extramurally.
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