The programme commences on Monday 22 February 2027 at the Otago Polytechnic Dunedin Campus.

The exact time and location for your first day will be sent to you closer to your start date.

Semester One Commences:
22 February 2027

Mid Semester Break:
19 April 2027 - 30 April 2027

Semester One Ends:
25 June 2027

Mid-Year Break:
28 June 2027 - 16 July 2027

Semester Two Commences:
19 July 2027

Mid Semester Break:
13 September 2027 - 24 September 2027

Semester Two Ends:
19 November 2027

*Please do not book any airfares/holidays without confirming your intention with the Year One Programme Leader first.
Learners are not permitted to sit examinations outside the scheduled times unless there are exceptional circumstances (holidays do not meet this criteria).

Please note your first week (commencing 22 February 2027) has a different timetable to your individual class timetable.

Your first week will be scheduled from 09:00am-04:00pm Monday to Friday. The timetable for week one will be emailed to you as soon as it is available.

Part-time employment /childcare arrangements and ensuring you have access to transport to attend your classes and clinical placements need to be considered in advance of commencement of your programme. 

What to do if you have been offered a conditional place and one of your conditions is "Pending Results".

• If you are an NCEA student, your results will be automatically sent to Otago Polytechnic by NZQA in January 2027, so you do not need to do anything further. In the meantime, continue working hard towards your studies and aim to achieve as many credits as possible.

• If you are currently studying at Otago Polytechnic, we will be able to access your Semester 2 results directly once they have been finalised. There is no need to submit these to us separately. For now, focus on successfully completing your studies and achieving the best results you can.

• If you're studying with another provider, please upload your official academic transcript to your application portal once your final results have been released. This will allow us to update your application and assess whether you've met your offer conditions.

*We cannot enrol you into the Bachelor of Nursing until this section is completed and uploaded to your application portal.

Under the Children's Act 2014 all individuals that engage as children’s workers must be appropriately safety checked before they commence the programme. All nursing ākonga are required to consent to a criminal history check as part of the safety checking, this is carried out via the New Zealand Police vetting service.

You should already have a copy of the vetting consent form (with your letter of offer). The form can also be found here. Please complete and upload the form (page 4) in your application portal along with two verified forms of identification. 

In order to confirm your identity for police vetting, two forms of ID must be sighted, one primary and one secondary, one of which must be photographic.

Primary ID Includes:

• Passport (NZ or Overseas)
• NZ Firearms Licence
• NZ Full Birth Certificate 
• NZ Citizenship Certificate
• NZ Refugee Travel Document
• NZ Emergency Travel Document
• NZ Certificate of Identity

Secondary ID Includes:

• NZ Driver Licence
• 18+ Card
• NZ Full Birth Certificate 
• Community Services Card
• SuperGold Card
• NZ Employee Photo Identification Card
• NZ Student Photo Identification Card
• Inland Revenue Number
• NZ Issued Utility Bill (Issued no more than six months earlier)
• NZ Teachers Registration Certificate
• NZ Electoral Roll Record
• International Driving Permit
• Steps to Freedom Form

You can bring your identification to Otago Polytechnic customer services and they can sight the IDs for you. Alternatively, you can use an identity referee to verify the identification and email a digital copy to us.

An identity referee must:

• Be a person of standing in the community (e.g registered professional, religious, community leader or police employee)
• Be over 16 years of age
• Not be related or a partner/spouse
• Not be a co-resident of the applicant

To verify an applicant’s identity, the identity referee must:

• Sight the original versions of each identity document
• Compare the photographic image with the applicant to confirm they are the same person
• Sign and date a copy of each document to verify that the documents produced by the applicant relate to that person
• Provide his or her name and contact details.

Further information to assist you with completing the form can be found here. You must complete this process to enable your enrolment into the Bachelor of Nursing programme. 

During Year One your clinical placement will take place in Dunedin. You will be advised prior to the placement commencing where you will be placed so you can make appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements.

During Years Two and Three of our programme you will be required to complete at least one clinical placement outside of the greater Dunedin area. This placement could take place in South Canterbury, Central Otago, East Otago, West Otago, South Otago or Southland. 

Please be aware that the cost of travel and accommodation for all placements are your responsibility. You will receive advanced notification of when these will occur so that you can make necessary work/home/travel arrangements.

During all three years of your programme you will be required to be available for rostered duties/clinical placements over seven days of the week (including public holidays) between the hours of 0700-1530hrs, 1430-2300hrs and 2300-0700hrs. This may have implications for ākonga with dependents.  It is your responsibility to make alternative arrangements for your dependents, so you are available for all shifts.

The Bachelor of Nursing Programme may recognise prior learning from other New Zealand Education Institutions.

Recognition of Prior Learning Applications will be considered by Course Coordinators until Friday 12 March 2027. If you are interested in applying for recognition of prior learning, please see the Recognition of Prior Learning policy. When you apply for recognition of prior learning, please email nursing@op.ac.nz with:

1. Completed application form

2. Certified academic transcript 

3. Course Outlines

If you are unsure if you are eligible for recognition of prior learning, please contact nursing@op.ac.nz with your prior academic information and someone will contact you.

There may be a non-refundable recognition of prior learning application fee. For further information please see the Recognition of Prior Learning policy on the Otago Polytechnic website. We will contact you if your application will incur a fee.

All recognition of prior learning applications must be submitted by 12 March 2027.

In accordance with generally accepted standards of practice for healthcare professionals in New Zealand and a requirement of Health New Zealand, immunisation and immunity screening is a requirement for all ākonga participating in clinical placement learning experiences, this is for the protection of themselves and others.

Otago Polytechnic third‑party placement providers and Ministry of Health policies require the collection and verification of ākonga immunisation status. This includes providing evidence of immunity and/or screening for current infection where applicable for the following conditions:

• Measles

• Mumps

• Varicella (Chickenpox)

• Hepatitis B (including both antibody and antigen testing)

• Tuberculosis

This also includes vaccination record history to determine vaccine protections for:

·         Pertussis (whooping cough) (every 5 years)

·         Influenza (recommended annually)

Your immunity status will be checked during orientation. This is a required process and must be completed before you begin your studies with us.

Failure to provide evidence of immunity may mean you may not be able to attend your clinical learning experience, which could affect your progress through the programme.

Instructions

1.    Download and print this document read it carefully, this outlines the immunity screening process

2.    Book an appointment with your medical practice to discuss the immunity requirement process.

3.    During your appointment, your medical practice can support you to arrange to have the required serology (blood) test to determine your immune status.

4.    Obtain your vaccination records for the diseases listed above. Vaccination records are usually held by your medical practice OR may be obtained by visiting https://my.health.nz/. Immunisations given in Aotearoa | New Zealand after 2005 may be available via the Aotearoa (formerly National) immunisation register

5.    Make follow up appointment to review your serology (blood) results and discuss your immunity status.

6.    If your serology (blood) test does not show immunity to the listed diseases, your medical practitioner will make vaccination recommendations.

7.    Once all vaccines have been administered and blood test results have been returned, ask your medical practice to complete Section 2 of this document.

8.    Email a scanned PDF copy of this document to healthresults@op.ac.nz.

Anticipated serology (blood) testing cost*

*Prices are subject to change in January 2027

Vaccine Preventable Disease Requirements

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to provide?

To ascertain your immunity status, we require both your vaccination record history and your serology (blood) test results. These should be emailed to healthresults@op.ac.nz along with section 2 of the ‘health ākonga immunity requirements’ document.

How will I know once I have completed this process?

All information provided to us will be loaded into our placement software InPlace. You will receive an email from our Registered Nurse advising that your immunity status has been reviewed. You can also view this by looking at your profile on InPlace (we will orientate you to this system once you have started your studies with us).

What if I am not immune?

Your medical practice will recommend next steps at your follow up appointment, this could include further vaccinations and associated testing.

Can I go on placement if I am not immune?

If you have attempted to gain immunity by completing the recommended vaccinations and serology (blood) results indicate you are not immune, we will work directly with you and advise what placement opportunities you will be eligible for.

What if I am not registered with a local medical practice?

We recommend you complete this process with the medical practice you are registered with. If you do not have a medical practice in and study in Dunedin, Dunedin City GP are happy to see Otago Polytechnic students.

The below textbooks will be utilised for all three years of the Bachelor of Nursing Programme. Your lecturers use these textbooks to prepare course content and assessments. Most of these books are available as e-books through the Otago Polytechnic Robertson Library as indicated below.

If you prefer to read hard copy texts, then it is recommended that textbooks are purchased in advance of the commencement of the classes so that you can participate fully in all learning activities. We recommend you purchase your textbooks new so that you have the latest editions. The books are available from the University Book Shop Otago Ltd, 378 Great King Street, Dunedin. 

All Bachelor of Nursing Courses (Year 1 - 3):

Crisp, J., Douglas, C., Rebeiro, G., & Waters, D. (2021). Potter & Perry's fundamentals of nursing-Australian and New Zealand (6th ed). Elsevier.

Available via:

*[eBook] Elsevier ClinicalKey Student Foundation Nursing English Language ANZ Package (read online, or offline via the Elsevier app): https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9925765032801891

*6 physical copies in the Robertson Library: https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9925750711701891

*This book is available online through the Otago Polytechnic Robertson library for free, you will have access to this once you are enrolled.

Wepa, D. (2026). Cultural safety in Aotearoa New Zealand (3rd ed). Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, Australia.

Available via:

*[eBook]  Cambridge Core Textbooks Full Collection (read online only)https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9926419375901891

* 5 physical copies in the Robertson Library: https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9924578210301891

Whitehead, D., Terry, D., LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2025). Nursing and midwifery research: Methods and appraisal for evidence-based practice, (7th ed.). Elsevier.

Available via:

*[eBook] Elsevier ClinicalKey Student Foundation Nursing English Language ANZ Package (read online, or offline via the Elsevier app): https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9926608620601891

*5 physical copies in the Robertson Library: https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9926590276901891

 *This book is available online through the Otago Polytechnic Robertson library for free, you will have access to this once you are enrolled.

BN507002 (First Year Text):  

Betts, JG, Young, KA, Wise, JA, Johnson, E, Poe, B, Kruse, DH, Korol, O, Johnson, JE, Womle, M and DeSaix, P 2020,  Anatomy and Physiology,  OpenStax, Rice University, Houston, TX, Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.  Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction

Library catalogue link to ebook (as indicated above): https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9926743423401891

Martini, F., Ober, W. C., Nath, J. L., Bartholomew, E. F., & Petti, K. (2018). Visual anatomy & physiology: Global edition (3rd ed.). Pearson.

Available via:

*[eBook] ProQuest eBook Central (6 user-at-a-time limit) https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9925550511801891

*6 physical copies (2 have a status of Lost) in the Robertson Library:

https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9925011907801891

BN607002 (Second Year Text):

Craft, J., Gordon, C., Huether, S., McCance, K., Brashers, V.  (2026). Understanding pathophysiology, (5th ANZ ed). Elsevier, Australia. 

Available via:

*[eBook] Elsevier ClinicalKey Student Foundation Nursing English Language ANZ Package (read online, or offline via the Elsevier app): https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9926178471101891

*6 physical copies in the Robertson Library:

https://otago.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64OTAGO_INST/n4rs4l/alma9926139280301891

*This book is available online through the Otago Polytechnic Robertson library for free, you will have access to this once you are enrolled.

Ākonga require at least one full uniform of scrub top (blue for Bachelor of Nursing), black trousers and black leather or synthetic closed toe shoes (fabric shoes are not permitted).

We recommend you purchase two scrub tops. You are required to wear your uniform for your first clinical lab in the second week of your programme so it is recommended you purchase it as soon as possible.

Uniform Order Form

Purchase Your Uniform Here

Guidelines For Wearing Your Uniform

Frequently asked questions

Can I try the uniform on?

Yes! We will have samples at the School of Nursing from mid-January, please come to level 2 of H block during our business hours to try one on. We will have the samples until the end of January.

Do I have to order online?

Yes, our supplier only accepts orders via the online portal (details in the above link)

Can you ensure the logo is on the uniform?

Of course! All uniforms ordered from our supplier come standard with the Otago Polytechnic logo.

Can I pick up my uniform?

Unfortunately you are only able to receive your uniform by courier, collection is not available. 

*Challenge Marketing have a live chat on their website and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Ākonga require the following equipment for practice purposes:

• Adult Sphygmomanometer
• Stethoscope
• Neuro Torch

These can be purchased as a pack or individually from our supplier, Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd, you can pre-purchase on their website. All items come with a lifetime guarantee.

Purchase your equipment here

Don't forget to use the discount code NURSING24 when you are checking out.

Ākonga are expected to have:

•  Computer, tablet or laptop with a reliable broadband connection

• Mid price headset with a microphone to engage in online learning that is compatible with MS Teams

Note

• MS Office is not supported on Chromebooks so users will have to use the web version of the Office Suite

• Macbooks/IOS Devices need to have school Microsoft accounts removed to facilitate the Otago Polytechnic Microsoft account being added so the user can license their Office Suite

It is an expectation that ākonga are familiar with Microsoft applications such as Word, Powerpoint and Excel. The Bachelor of Nursing has online components so learners will require access to a computer with broadband connection. All ākonga will be able to download Office 365 for free, you will not need to purchase Microsoft Office.

 The recommended ākonga laptop operating systems for the 2023/2024 Academic Year:

 For Windows computers:

 Minimum - Windows 11

Recommended – Windows 11 (with the latest Feature Update applied, or within 1 version of the latest Feature Update) Your PC will continue to work, but support for Windows 10 is discontinued. After 14 October 2025, your Windows 10 PC will no longer receive security updates 

 For Apple computers:

 Minimum – Mac OS 15 or higher (this will be the minimum supported level that allows OP ākonga to install the current Office 365 software) MacOS 27 is the latest Mac OS released in July.

Ākonga should be aware that Apple only provide updates and patches for the last 3 major OS versions.

 Otago Polytechnic Dunedin campus has free wireless internet access for ākonga laptops, tablets and phones.

We strongly recommend that you reserve the Course Related Cost Allowance that New Zealand resident ākonga will receive for the purchase of your textbooks, uniform, equipment, immunity status testing and associated travel costs for attending clinical placements during 2027.

• Accept your offer into the programme through your student portal 

• Complete pages 3 & 4 on police vetting form & upload with 2 forms of verified ID to your student portal

• Complete your RPL (recognition of prior learning) if you think you are eligible 

• Book & complete your blood test through Awaunui Labs

• Email your current vaccination status records through to studenthealth@op.ac.nz

• Email your childhoood vaccination records through to studenthealth@op.ac.nz 

• Order textbooks (listed above)

• Purchase uniform (2 x scrub tops, black pants, black leather or synthetic closed toe shoes)

• Purchase clinical equipment (adult sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, neuro torch)

• Ensure you have correct IT equipment

*We strongly recommend that you reserve the Course Related Cost Allowance that New Zealand resident students will receive for the purchase of your textbooks, uniform, equipment, immunity status testing and associated travel costs for attending clinical placements during 2027.