Nursing Courses at UCOL Polytechnic

For nearly 30 years UCOL’s Nurse Education Team has provided a supportive and caring culture to ensure our nursing graduates pass the Nursing Council State Finals Examination with flying colours. UCOL’s personal approach helps you succeed in getting your nursing career off to the best start. It’s the personal approach from our lecturers that makes all the difference and that’s why UCOL nursing graduates enjoy an excellent professional reputation both here and overseas. When you enrol we’ll assign you your own Personal Tutor to guide you right through your nursing journey.

They’ll support you through our curriculum, which includes 240 hours of clinical placement in your first year. Later in the programme these clinical experiences will include medical and surgical, primary health care and mental health settings, totaling 1100 hours of practice experience during your time in the programme. An added attraction for students doing their nursing degree with UCOL in Palmerston North is that it has two Nursing Skills’ laboratories, with one uniquely sited at Palmerston North Hospital. Furthermore a new Simulation laboratory has been purpose built with the latest technologies to provide you with an opportunity to be exposed to real practice situations within a controlled and safe environment.

Nursing is consistently rated by the public as one of New Zealand’s most respected and worthwhile professions. Combining the satisfaction of personal care with the excitement of new medical technology and treatments, nursing allows for individual ability and autonomy in a team environment. It’s all about you!

UCOL Polytechnic also offers the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. You will discover the rich rewards of working with animals. This Diploma opens the door to a broad range of animal health careers - from vet clinics, zoos, animal shelters, pet shops, wildlife parks, laboratories to agricultural and animal health sales.