Bachelor of Nursing

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Nursing degree, you are supported through the process of registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Benefit from small classes, dedicated clinically experienced tutors and regular time in our modern clinical skills lab, Pokapu Whaihanga, where you put your new clinical skills into practice.

You will learn how to:

• Meet the Nursing Council of New Zealand competencies for the registered burse scope of practice.
• Practise safe, caring, effective and competent nursing., at a beginning Registered Burse (RN) level, in a variety of healthcare settings and environments.
• Articulate the place of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi in healthcare delivery and nursing practice.
• Practise in a culturally safe manner that reflects a broad understanding of health and wellness.
• Analyse the impact of historical, cultural, political, social, economic and environmental influences on health and nursing practice.
• Incorporate self-authorship, critical thinking, clinical reasoning and problem-solving capabilities into your nursing practice.
• Effectively apply a range of theories, frameworks and models in theory daily practice with individuals, families, whānau and communities.
• Apply a comprehensive health assessment within the individual's family, whānau and community.
• Communicate effectively and develop effective therapeutic partnerships and actions with individuals, families, whānau and communities.
• Be collaborative and respectful with interprofessional colleagues.
• Lead and manage within the context of registered nurse scope of practice.
• Act professionally, and in a caring manner, by incorporating respect for, and valuing diversity of, life choices and health options.
• Enhance their professional development through lifelong learning.

Programme Specific Information

The Bachelor of Nursing curriculum is underpinned by nursing values, educational goals and practice foci. In the twenty-first century the health needs of the person and family/whanau may be complex and diverse, set in a constantly changing health care environment. The two key values which inform the Bachelor of Nursing curriculum are the concepts of ‘partnership’ and ‘caring’.

Other key values which thread through your learning are health and wellness/hauora, relational practice, critical thinking, clinical decision-making, cultural safety and ethics/law.

Students will be in practice, either simulated or actual practice from the beginning of the programme. Time in practice increases throughout the programme and then becomes blocks of practice to prepare the graduate for the workplace. There are also opportunities for students to choose some specialty areas of practice. Shift patterns of early/lates and weekends commences at end of year one.

Clinical Skills Lab work:

The Clinical Skills Lab provides an environment for practicing techniques and learning clinical experiences. Simulation time is timetabled most weeks. Students must wear uniform for all clinical skills sessions and clinical practice placements.

Tutorials:

These are provided regularly for small groups of students to discuss aspects of their learning journey. Students will explore and reflect on practice as well as learning issues. All students are required to attend the majority of tutorials.

Blended learning:

Students will have the opportunity to undertake their learning using a variety of methods including:

• Lectures
• Online activities
• Debates
• Science lab work
• E-Portfolios

Classroom hours may be from 8:30am to 5:00pm. Students will be expected to be able to undertake 40 hours per week of study. Where possible the programme timetable allows for holidays that coincide with school holidays, however this is not always possible due to the clinical practice placement requirements.

Career Opportunities

Registered Nurses in New Zealand may work in any area of nursing practice: for example, mental health, acute care, community and aged care settings. Graduates must pass the Nursing Council of New Zealand registration exams to become a registered nurse.