Study Nursing in New Zealand: Guide for International Students

While many people know New Zealand because of sports, the country focuses highly on education and healthcare, specifically nursing. Nursing is the largest regulated health workforce in New Zealand, forming over 50% of the regulated workforce population. This builds a strong foundation for students looking for a career in Nursing. 

So, since many students from India aim for medical education abroad, let us see what studying Nursing in New Zealand can bring to the table. We will also discuss the New Zealand nurse requirements in this article.

Why Study Nursing in New Zealand

Nursing is a rewarding and challenging career that offers numerous opportunities to work in various settings and roles, such as community health, public health, geriatric medicine, or mental health. Here are some of the top reasons why you should study Nursing in New Zealand:

• The income prospects are decent in New Zealand, with the average annual salary going up to $74,840.
• Most New Zealand universities are ranked in the top 3% of global universities. This further ensures that students will get a quality education.
• You can attain a competitive advantage in the global healthcare job market, as New Zealand nursing qualifications are considered and respected internationally.
• You get to choose from different levels of education and practice scope, such as enrolled nurse, registered nurse, or nurse practitioner. This increases your chances of gaining practical knowledge.
• Nursing courses in New Zealand aim to produce graduates with strong academic and practical skills in all areas of nursing. This ensures you gain quality education and skills and can help you land a better-paying job compared to others.
• You can pursue further research opportunities and academic careers in nursing, as New Zealand has many institutions offering doctoral programs in nursing.

Cost of Studying Nursing Courses in New Zealand 

For undergraduate programs like BSc nursing in New Zealand, overseas students may have to pay around $39,211 per year. While for international postgraduate programs, the annual range is from NZ$50,563– NZ$83,232.

BSc Nursing in New Zealand for International Students

Various top universities offer nursing courses in New Zealand. Along with residential students, international students can also sign up for BSc Nursing programs in New Zealand. The BSc Nursing in New Zealand ensures that students acquire knowledge and skills and combine them with their clinical experiences to become adaptable and highly skilled nurses. 

Also known as BNurs/BSc, it is a conjoint program that takes 4 years (8 semesters) if a student is studying full-time. Each year, you have to complete 9 courses. By the end of the program, you will have completed 570 points. This comprises:

• BNurs courses- 285 points
• BSc courses- 255 points
• General Education- 15 points
• Courses available from any program- 15 points

For BSc nursing in New Zealand for international students, different universities have different entry requirements. You must meet the following criteria if you’re from India and want to pursue a BNurs/BSc from an institute like the University of Aukland.

• Completion of 12 years of schooling with an overall 75% average in the Indian School Certificate (ISC), All India Senior School Certificate (AISSC), and State Board Examinations (West Bengal, Maharashtra and Karnataka) with at least 70% in English. 
• Completion of 12 years of schooling with an overall 80% average in other higher secondary state board examinations with at least 75% in English. 
• The minimum grade for international students willing to study BSc nursing in New Zealand is 5.0 GPE. 
• If you’re from India, you must have a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS. 

MSc nursing in New Zealand for international students

The MSc Nursing in New Zealand is a 2-year program that ensures students hone their on-clinical skills to become registered nurses. The master’s program for nursing was created to mitigate the demand for New Zealand’s health workforce. With an MSc degree in nursing, students can receive quality training, which will enable them to become effective nurses. 

• 1st Year- Semester 1 (60 points): Fundamentals of Nursing Care (30 points), Biological 

In the 2-year master’s course, students will complete 4 semesters of the chosen curriculum with parallel clinical placements. 

• Science for Practice (30 points). 

Semester 2 (60 points): Integrative Nursing Practice (45 Points), Foundations of Maori Health (15 points)

• 2nd Year- Semester 1 (60 points): Mental Health and Addictions Nursing (30 points), Evidence-Based Nursing and Implementation (30 Points)

Semester 2 (60 points): Transition to Professional Nursing Practice (30 points), Research project (30 points). 

Overall, the M.Sc. program in nursing requires students to complete 240 points in 2 years. 

The general entry requirements for M.Sc. nursing in New Zealand for international students will include:

• A minimum of 5.0 GPE.
• A minimum of 6.5 IELTS score is required. 

Top Universities for Nursing Courses in New Zealand

The table below showcases the top universities in New Zealand that offer nursing courses, along with their QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. 

Career Prospects After Pursuing Nursing in New Zealand

Below are some high-paying jobs that nursing graduates can expect in New Zealand, along with their average annual salaries.

Source: Pay Scale, July 2024

How to Become Nurse in New Zealand 

The eligibility requirements to study nursing in New Zealand vary depending on the level and scope of practice you wish to pursue. Some general requirements are as follows:

1. To qualify as an enrolled nurse, you must have a Nursing Council-approved diploma in Enrolled Nursing program offered at a polytechnic or institute of technology, which is recognized as NZQA Level Five.
2. To become a registered nurse, you need to finish a bachelor of Nusing/Bachelor of Health Science program accredited by the Nursing Council, available at a polytehnic, institute of technology, or university, recognized as NZQA Level Seven.
3. To become a nurse practitioner, you must:
   1. Be registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand in the registered nurse scope of practice.
   2. Have a clinically focused master’s degree program approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand or equivalent qualification.
   3. Pass a Nursing Council assessment of nurse practitioner competencies and criteria.
4. For internationally qualified nurses or New Zealand registered nurses without a current practicing certificate, you may need to complete a Competence Assessment Program (CAP) before beginning work in New Zealand.
5. You also need to meet the visa requirements of Immigration New Zealand (INZ), which may vary depending on your country and the purpose of your visit.

How to Register as Nurse in New Zealand

Individuals who want to apply as nurses in New Zealand can be registered with an overseas regulatory body and meet the New Zealand nurse requirements laid out by the Nursing Council of New Zealand. 

For internationally qualified nurses, the Nursing Council of New Zealand has a different process. 

• If you are registering as a nurse in New Zealand, you must provide some important documents:
• Identity proof
• Present registration(s) obtained in the previous ten years. 
• English language proficiency evidence, such as an IELTS score of at least 7.0. 
• Nursing qualifications that are similar to New Zealand nursing qualifications. 
• Nursing experience of 1800 hours after registration. 

NOTE: Verify and authenticate your documents with CGFS and then apply for nursing in New Zealand. 

• After document verification with CGFS, apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand. 
• It is mandatory for all nurses to complete two free online nursing courses, which would introduce you to the nursing practice in New Zealand. 
• A fitness check is a part of the nursing requirements in NZ. All nurses shall undergo a clinical examination while applying to the Nursing Council. 
• Some nurses will be required to take a competence assessment. With the Council’s self-assessment tool, you can check if you need to take the competence assessment. 

Conclusion

Studying nursing in New Zealand offers a mix of challenging academics, diverse cultures, and opportunities to contribute to healthcare. Whether you want to be a nurse, specialize in a certain medical area, or do research, New Zealand provides a supportive and enriching learning experience to all its international students planning to study abroad.

Read More:

• New Zealand Scholarships for Indian Students
• Intakes in New Zealand
• Student Visa Process for New Zealand
• MBA in New Zealand
• Cost of studying in New Zealand