New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5)

Academic requirements 

• NCEA Level 2 which must include 12 credits in Level 1 Mathematics.

Alternative requirements 

• Evidence of literacy, numeracy and an ability to study at the appropriate level. This can be through study, work and/or life experience (assessments are available). Applicants are required to have competent computer skills.

Additional requirements 

• You will need to supply a cover letter, CV, current First Aid Certificate, health declaration form, two referee reports (demonstrating your character, community/work-related skills and suitability to become a nurse) and give permission for a police check. Please see the Completing your application section below for more information.
• You may also have to undertake an interview and need to have competent computer skills.

English requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Occupational English Test (OET) with a C+ band/score in each section in one sitting, OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

You must be physically and psychologically able to engage in diverse clinical nursing practice in New Zealand, including acute hospital, community and mental health settings during this programme.

Covid-19 vaccination information

If you want to apply for this programme, we’ll need to see evidence of your Covid-19 vaccinations (including types and dates). You need to have had three doses. We’re legally obliged to collect this additional information from you as this programme is covered by the Covid-19 Public Health Response (Vaccination) Order 2021. 

Please just complete our online application process as normal. As part of the application process, you’ll be asked to provide your vaccination record. 

The Government have advised that the only proof of vaccination that we can accept is a vaccination record PDF from your My Covid Record. 

Find out how to get your vaccination record here >

Risks and immunisation status

Once you have been accepted into the programme, you will be notified that you must produce current evidence of immunisation status. You are encouraged to be immunised against Hepatitis B. Not having this immunisation will impact on access to some clinical placements and progression in your course may be affected.

Please note: The cost for the blood test to ascertain your immunity status is about $300. This is not part of your tuition fees so is an additional cost on top of that.

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) clearance is a requirement of a number of clinical placement providers. A positive result for MRSA may delay your progression in the programme as you will be unable to attend your clinical placement until you have clearance.

Occasionally, clinical providers request additional information on health status. During your clinical placements, you will be exposed to risks commonly associated with the health services. These are broad and include personal injury such as needle-stick, through to potential harms to service users which may be reported to the Health Commissioner.

For a step-by-step guide to applying for the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing, please click here.

You can enter information and upload documents directly into the application form. You may wish to prepare some of the required documentation beforehand.

To begin your application, click the Apply button at the top of this page.

You will need to provide:

1. academic records
2. written statements about:
   1. your reasons for wanting to study this programme
   2. your skills and experience
3. your Curriculum Vitae
4. a current First Aid Certificate
5. a health declaration
6. police vetting and declaration of any criminal convictions. (Applicants who have lived in countries other than New Zealand need to provide a Police Clearance from each country.)
7. contact details for two referees - (one academic and one employer or community representative.)
8. certified copies of proof of identity
9. proof of residency (where appropriate).

Student selection is the responsibility of the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing Selection Committee.

Criteria for assessing suitability are:

• Academic records that meet the entry criteria
• Referee reports that identify applicants as highly suitable (both referee reports will be considered as they are expected to identify strengths in different areas)
• A curriculum vitae that is congruent with referee reports and academic transcripts.

Selection process for pre-registration students to the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5)*:

Each application is considered by the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing Selection Committee who may interview applicants. There is an affirmative action policy in regard to applicants who identify as Māori and meet the stated entry criteria. As required by the Children's Act 2014, students who may work with children during the course of their study must be safety checked. Safety checking includes reference checking, work history, identity check, police vetting and an overall assessment of the applicant's safety to work with children. Upon acceptance into the programme you will be required to give consent and complete paperwork for Police Vetting. Applicants who have lived in countries other than New Zealand need to provide a Police Clearance from each country upon application

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their completed application. Following the assessment of the applications, applicants are placed into four groups:

• Place offered pending results of Police Vetting
• Wait-listed
• Waiting results
• Place not offered.

Should the number of applicants who meet the selection process requirements exceed the available places, applicants will be placed on a prioritised waitlist. Applicants are welcome to make an appointment with the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing Selection Committee Chairperson to discuss the outcome of their application. 

Applications officially close 30 September, the Selection Committee will continue to review applications received after this date.

You will be required to purchase:

• Textbooks $300
• Uniforms $250
• Equipment (including headphones) $260
• Immunity status blood test $300

There will be additional accommodation and travel costs associated with clinical placements.

Students are required to have a laptop or device which has Win7 or above or IOS Maverick.

Please note: All costs are approximate. 

The New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5) provides enrolled nursing courses with a blended delivery structure of face-to-face teaching, online learning, simulation suite, practical sessions and clinical practice placements. This provides a rich learning environment due to your exposure to a diversity of clients and health needs.

You must meet both theoretical and clinical enrolled nursing requirements during this applied diploma and the workload is demanding. You can expect to spend approximately 40 hours per week on this full-time course and should expect a range of assessments to evaluate learning.

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students who have lived in New Zealand for three years. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful. 

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