Bachelor of Nursing

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL Te Pūkenga is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.

This programme consists of 360 credits.

Year 1

Society And Health in Aotearoa/New Zealand (15 Credits)
Develop knowledge of the nature of health across the lifespan in Aotearoa/New Zealand and its relevance to nursing practice.

Professional Nursing: An Introduction (15 Credits)
An introduction to nursing, the associated knowledge base and the cultural safety framework for nursing practice.

Bioscience for Health Professionals (25 Credits)
Gain foundation knowledge of the normal form (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the human body and an understanding of the basic scientific components and concepts that underpin this.

Fundamental Skills for Nursing (25 Credits)
Develop a range of fundamental clinical practice skills required for safe and effective nursing practice.

Communication and Education for Professional Practice (20 Credits)
Develop skills and knowledge required for effective therapeutic communication and health teaching.

Clinical Practice (Introduction) (20 Credits, 160 hours of practical experience)
Integrate theoretical and clinical learning within a practice setting at a novice level.

Year 2

Aotearoa/New Zealand Health Care System and Professional Practice (20 Credits)
Develop knowledge and understanding of the Aotearoa/ New Zealand health care system, the professional, ethical, legal and cultural safety responsibilities of Registered Nurses (RN’s) and the relationship to health outcomes.

Nursing Science and Practice Skills (35 Credits)
Develop knowledge of pathophysiology and pharmacology in relation to specific body systems and their application to nursing assessment and patient care. To further develop basic nursing skills that were taught in 513, and develop a range of clinical skills required by an advanced beginner nursing student to enhance effective nursing practice.

Person-centred Care: The Mental Health Context (15 Credits)
Develop an understanding of specific nursing skills necessary for the delivery of competent management of care. Assess and provide appropriate interventions for individuals and their whanau experiencing mental illness and distress.

Clinical Practice (Medical/Surgical) (25 Credits, 240 hours practical experience)
Integrate theoretical and clinical learning within a medical/surgical practice setting at an advanced beginner level.

Clinical Practice (Mental Health) (25 Credits, 240 hours practical experience)
Integrate theoretical and clinical learning within a mental health practice setting at an advanced beginner level.

Year 3

Primary Health Care (15 Credits)
Gain a deeper understanding of primary health care context and primary health care nursing across the lifespan.

Preparing for Registration: Promoting Practice Improvement and Lifelong Learning (15 Credits)
Prepare for your role as a new graduate registered nurse through the integration of theory and evidence-based practice, demonstrating an understanding of the potential professional and research-related contributions in contemporary nursing practice.

People with Acute and/or Complex Care Needs: A Partnership Approach (15 Credits)
Develop an understanding of the needs of patients/clients who require acute and/or complex care.

Chronic Conditions and Person-centred Care (15 Credits)
Develop an understanding of people with long-term health conditions and their personal experiences of their healthcare journey.

Clinical Practice (Primary Health Care) (24 Credits, 240 hours practical experience)
Integrate theoretical and clinical learning within a primary health care setting at a competent level.

Clinical Practice (Transition) (36 Credits, 360 hours of practical experience)
Integrate theoretical and clinical learning within a health care setting at a maintenance of competence level.

General Admission Criteria
All applicants must meet the general admission criteria as approved by the Academic Board.  In addition, all applicants are required to:

• Declare any previous criminal convictions (including international convictions) prior to admission being confirmed. Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment; the decision is at the discretion of the Head of School; and
• Authorise UCOL Te Pūkenga to obtain a background check from the New Zealand Police Licensing and Vetting Agency. If a conviction and/or a matter of concern is identified, the decision for accepting the applicant's enrolment onto the programme is at the discretion of the Head of School; and
• Complete a Health Declaration Form; and
• Provide certified copies of all relevant documentation.

Note: Before commencement of first clinical placement all learners must supply a current Comprehensive First Aid certificate.

The Head of School may require learners to provide additional information before admission is confirmed.

Applicants under 20 years of age:
Applicants under the age of 20 years must have University Entrance

OR

Successful completion of the UCOL Te Pūkenga Certificate in Science and Health, Level 3 (for 2019 and 2020 Bachelor of Nursing intakes only). 

OR

On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean

OR

Provisional enrolment, which is defined by NZQA as being Discretionary Entrance and includes the following clauses:

Discretionary enrolment may be granted to those applicants under the age of 20 who:

• are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia*, 
  
• have received secondary schooling to at least New Zealand Year 12 level (or its equivalent overseas) and earned at least 14 credits in an approved subject at Level 2 towards NCEA (or its equivalent), and 
  
• have met the literacy and numeracy standards required for University Entrance, or their equivalents, 

* Australian applicants’ most recent year of schooling must have been in New Zealand.

Applicants 20 years of age or over
A person having reached the age of 20 years before the first day of the programme in the year for which admission is sought, is not required to meet any of the academic qualifications above. Applicants will be required to meet the criteria for enrolment to study nursing and may be required to attend a conversation, as set out in the advice and guidance section, prior to their enrolment being accepted. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss their career goals, reasons for study, choice of study, possible challenges, and the support that is available for them at UCOL Te Pūkenga. 

English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 6.5 in all bands (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

International learners will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure they meet New Zealand University Entrance requirements. In addition, in accordance with NCNZ (2017) and the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act [HPCA] (2003) requirements, all learners whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the general medium of instruction is not English, will be required to provide documentary evidence of proficiency in English (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).

Under 20 years of age
In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

Nursing Pathway

Applicants for the Bachelor of Nursing may be required to attend a conversation with UCOL Te Pūkenga staff. The purpose of the conversation is to provide information to the applicant, to gauge motivation and support, and preparedness for study, and to inform teaching staff of the needs of the learner. (Refer to the  UCOL Te Pūkenga admission policy and variations). 

Timetable
The UCOL Te Pūkenga Bachelor of Nursing is a full-time programme of study. In a typical week depending on whether you’re doing a clinical or theory course your time will be allocated to face-to-face learning (laboratory work, class), clinical placement and self-directed learning. As you progress through your studies each year, the weighting of self-directed learning will increase to prepare you for life-long learning.

Clinical placements
Expect to work clinical placements on a 24/7 rotating roster basis (night shift and weekends included). Not all clinical placements are local, so also be prepared to travel. Clinical practice experiences will be undertaken in both primary health and hospital-based settings. UCOL Te Pūkenga has formal contractual agreements with all agencies that offer clinical practice experiences for UCOL Te Pūkenga nursing learners, which are supported by agreed-upon policies and procedures (see "Work Placement/Work Experience section).

Prior to the commencement of the first clinical placement, all learners must supply a current Comprehensive First Aid certificate. This will incur a fee.

English proficiency
Permanent Residents whose first language is not English are required to undertake a Literacy and Numeracy Assessment for diagnostic purposes so that the appropriate advice and support can be provided before they commence the programme.

Safety check
UCOL Te Pūkenga will undertake a safety check of all learners after enrolment to ensure UCOL Te Pūkenga meets the legislative requirements of the Vulnerable Children Act, 2014.  UCOL Te Pūkenga will do this on behalf of Hospitals, District Health Boards, Primary Health Organisations and GP practices that host UCOL Te Pūkenga learners placements.  The safety check involves confirming the learner's work history, verifying their suitability to work with children with a trusted referee, and completing New Zealand Police vetting.

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a learner believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Te Pūkenga Academic Statute and other relevant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
• A completed Police Declaration Form
  
• A completed Health Declaration Form
• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).