Have you considered a rewarding career in healthcare that enables you to make a difference in people's lives? Become a Registered Nurse and it can also be your passport to the world! Registered Nurses care for and work with individuals, whanau and communities in collaboration with other health professionals. Registered nurses may specialise in a variety of practice areas, including medical and surgical, mental health, child health/paediatrics, aged care, rural health care and primary health care. There is a worldwide demand for registered nurses and there are a wide range of career options. Otago Polytechnic nursing graduates are in high demand due to their high calibre and work-readiness. Maori and Pasifika nurses are particularly sought-after for careers in health. Benefit from access to state-of-the-art Dunedin nursing facilities, the latest industry knowledge and the support and advice from highly experienced teachers. This degree programme provides you with the knowledge and experience to achieve New Zealand nursing registration and also provides a perfect springboard into post-graduate study. On successful completion of the Bachelor of Nursing, you will be eligible to sit the State Final Examination for registration as a Registered Nurse in New Zealand. Bridging options If you don't have the academic qualifications required to enter the Bachelor of Nursing, our health bridging certificate can help you meet the minimum academic criteria for application. This year long programme is replacing the Certificate in Health (Level 4) from February, 2018. It consists of two separate Certificate qualifications - the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) and the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4). You will be enrolled in both of these qualifications at the beginning of the year. Please note: To meet the nursing training academic entry requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing programme, a minimum B+ average is required over your second semester courses. Due to the high demand for places, successful completion of our health bridging certificate will not automatically guarantee entry to this degree. Non-academic entry criteria for those with previous healthcare experience may also be considered. Please contact Otago Polytechnic for further information. Further study options Expand your career prospects with further postgraduate study in Nursing both within New Zealand and overseas. There is now an established career pathway to Nurse Practitioner through master's degree study, and further educational opportunities are available for practice specialisation. Your workload You must meet both theoretical and clinical requirements during the Bachelor of Nursing degree and the workload is demanding. You can expect to work approximately 40 hours per week throughout the year and should expect assessments and written assignments throughout the year. Outside employment or commitments should be considered carefully to ensure your success in the programme.