New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing

Enrolled nurses work as a vital part of the health care team in a range of acute health care settings, such as hospitals, community services, and medical centres, or in aged care settings. Enrolled Nurses can have a variety of roles from general nursing through to specialised roles working in collaboration with Registered Nurses (who retain further responsibility for critical thinking and clinical decision making). 

Applications are encouraged from applicants from diverse backgrounds who are seeking to be employed in health care.

COVID-19

COVID vaccinations are not mandatory but are highly recommended. Most clinical placements providers will want to see evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19. We can not guarantee clinical placements without this evidence, as per our clinical placement agreements with providers. Clinical placements are an integral part of our nursing programmes and you will need to complete these to be able to successfully achieve your nursing qualification

School Leavers
NCEA Level 2, 80 credits total or the equivalent. This includes:

• 10 credits in NCEA English/Literacy Level 1 plus
• 12 credits in NCEA Mathematics/Numeracy or Pangarau Level 1 as well as 
• A further 58 credits at Level 2 or above in each of English, Mathematics, a science related subject and one other of choice

Mature Applicants (20 years of age or older)
Successful completion of the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation or an equivalent programme of study at  NZQA Level 4 within the past five years.

The Head of the School of Nursing has a responsibility to ensure that all applicants meet the requirements to enter a nursing programme. As this is the beginning point of fitness for registration, in accordance with section 16 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act, guided by the Nursing Council of New Zealand, applicants whose first language is not English must achieve a score of 6.5 in an IELTS assessment (or equivalent) in each category: reading, writing, listening and speaking in one sitting prior to acceptance.

Interview
For your group interview, you will have 30 minutes to complete a numeracy assessment. You can expect 30 questions. Download a sample of 10 questions here, which are reflective of the types of questions you can expect.

Specific Admission criteria

All applicants must:

• Hold a current first aid certificate (Red Cross Comprehensive or St John’s Workplace). This first aid certificate must be current at the time the programme starts
• Provide a completed medical declaration and/or evidence of a current health certificate indicating ability to practice safely from a registered health practitioner
• Submit a New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form with their application, which will be sent to the Police Licensing and Vetting Service if the applicant is accepted into the programme. This is returned in confidence to the Nursing Head of School .  Information on the New Zealand Vetting Service is available from their website
• Provide two testimonials and/or character references attesting to the candidate’s suitability for working in Health Care
• Be prepared to attend an interview
• Provide a confidential report from the institution where a candidate is applying to transfer to another institution

Additional Requirements

The following are required for all successful applicants:

• Relevant evidence of health screening to meet various Health Authority and Institutional requirements. MRSA clearance is required by most clinical practice areas.

English Language Requirements

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to provide proof of English proficiency. Applicants must meet all stated entry requirements and demonstrate English language skills with an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 6.5  with no band score less than 6.5 or Occupational English Test (OET) with a C+ band/score in each section in one sitting. 

Tests must be from an outside organisation and results must be from within two years of applying. 

English language assessment can be requested for those with English as a second language at the discretion of the Head of School at any time during the programme to ensure public safety as per the HPCA (2003). 

The Nursing Council of New Zealand regularly reviews their requirements these will be reflected by changes. 

The Head of Nursing has designated authority, autonomy and responsibility for decisions on students’ entry into the programme (Nursing Council of New Zealand Education Standards, 2024).

GRADUATE OUTCOMES

On successful completion of the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing programme, graduates will be eligible to sit the NCNZ registration examination for Enrolled Nurses. Once this examination is passed, graduates may work as a beginning level Enrolled Nurse and deliver nursing care in a variety of health care settings under the direction and delegation of a registered nurse.

Graduates will work within the scope of practice of an Enrolled Nurse and be able to:

• Safely apply knowledge and skills to deliver patient/client care across a range of health care settings
• Competently assess health status and perform appropriate interventions in a manner that supports best health outcomes for clients
• Establish, maintain and conclude therapeutic, interpersonal relationships
• Work collaboratively and communicate in oral, written and electronic mediums relevant to the interdisciplinary health care team
• Apply professional judgement, accountability and responsibility in ensuring that nursing practice and conduct meets professional, ethical and legal requirements and standards
• Practise in a manner that is culturally safe and promotes health, autonomy, self determination and quality of life
• Be responsible for own ongoing professional development to maintain competence 

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a criminal conviction – do I need to declare it?
Yes. All criminal convictions must be declared to the Head of School of Nursing before the course commences. Some criminal convictions may prohibit you from continuing your training.

I don’t have sciences or maths – does that matter?
Yes. Nursing is heavily based in the sciences and it is recommended that you have undertaken some studies in both.

Is there a list of recommended text books?
Yes. This is sent out with your acceptance letter.

Do I need a current first aid certificate?
YES you do. You must have a current basic life support certificate. This is required before you start (if possible).

Do I require any diagnostic testing?
Yes. In order to protect both yourself and other patients. You will be sent a laboratory form with your acceptance letter.

Do I need to have had the covid vaccine and booster?
Yes as part of the health profession this vaccine is mandated.

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

A minimum of 180 compulsory credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5).

Please Note: Students failing to attend for 80% of the timetabled programme hours may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement

This qualification does not lead to the Bachelor of Nursing, but if you choose to progress to the Bachelor of Nursing programme recognition of prior learning can be offered for a portion of the Bachelor of Nursing Year One Programme.