Bachelor Of Nursing in Southern Institute of Technology, New Zealand

Bachelor Of Nursing in Southern Institute of Technology

• SIT’s School of Nursing (previously Southland Polytechnic) has been delivering nursing education for 40 years and has a long history of successful graduates.
• Our enthusiastic staff have a wide range of nursing experience within NZ and overseas.
• Specialist equipment includes a nursing simulation suite with computerised mannequins and life size models of body parts, as well as a large library of DVD resources and text books.
• Clinical placements throughout Southland and Otago provide real-life experience in many diverse nursing environments
• A career in nursing can take you around the world! Nurses are always in demand.

The Bachelor of Nursing is a three-year degree programme which provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills appropriate for employment in a wide and growing number of nursing careers.

The programme has as its core, theoretical and practical work in nursing – including principles relating to primary health, acute and chronic nursing care, mental health and mental illness throughout the lifespan.  The programme also recognises the importance of the cultural dimensions of nursing.

The Bachelor of Nursing has a strong applied component to allow students to enter the workforce proficient in a range of additional strengths including health promotion, illness prevention, evidence-based practice, the ability to provide nursing care in a medical and surgical context, as well as the provision of emergency nursing care.

This programme will enhance opportunities for students to develop a broad understanding of nursing, thus preparing them for professional practice or further advanced study in this area.

The Bachelor of Nursing has been designed to prepare graduates for a wide variety of nursing careers in community and hospital situations.  It is expected Bachelor of Nursing graduates will make a positive contribution to the health of people of New Zealand and the wider world.  This contribution will be as nurses demonstrating caring, competent, safe nursing practice in partnership with individuals, groups and communities.

Increasing complexity of health care needs requires well-educated, competent and compassionate nurses who are able to:

• Comprehend, critique and apply knowledge from nursing and other related disciplines in an appropriate and safe practice context.
• Facilitate the competent and safe provision of nursing care to groups and individuals with a variety of settings.
• Competently practise within the legal and ethical parameters of the nursing profession.
• Recognise, value, critique and apply research to nursing practice and knowledge.
• Meet the requirements of the Nursing Council of New Zealand for registration as a Registered Nurse.

The degree follows four themes – Professional Practice, Praxis, Health and Society and Health Sciences.  

Throughout the programme students are involved in learning in clinical settings in a variety of community and hospital areas.  By the end of the programme it is expected students will have integrated the theory and practice framework to develop into confident beginning practitioners.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will have the knowledge and skills to practise nursing and they will be eligible to sit the Nursing Council of New Zealand Examination for registration in the Registered Nurse scope of practice. Once formally registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, graduates will work as nurses in primary, secondary and tertiary health settings; they will be critically reflective practitioners of nursing and they will practise within a framework of cultural safety. 

A nursing career offers great opportunities for men and women from a variety of cultures and walks of life.  Nursing is a partnership with people to improve their health. This includes assisting children, adults or older people recovering from physical or mental illness in hospital, or their own homes.  Health promotion in nursing may involve people in schools, the workplace, marae or health centres.

Máori nurses help promote health and well being to Te Iwi Máori in culturally appropriate nursing services. Pacific Island nurses can use their skills to benefit the health status of their people both in New Zealand and in the Pacific Islands.

There are opportunities for career development in many areas including practice, teaching, management, and research both in New Zealand and overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Bachelor of Nursing be completed part time?
The Bachelor of Nursing is a 3 year full time course. Under exceptional circumstances, students can take up to a maximum of 5 years at the discretion of the Academic and Relationship Leader.

Will I be required to work weekends and nights?
Yes. The courses require that you will undertake placements that require you to work shifts, nights and weekends. People are unwell 24/7.

Are all the placements in Invercargill?
No. We use a variety of placements from Queenstown, Gore, and Bluff and surrounding towns. Students will be required to make their own travel arrangements.

I have a criminal conviction – do I need to declare it?
Yes. All criminal convictions must be declared to the Academic and Relationship Leader before the course commences. Some criminal convictions may prohibit you from continuing your training.

Does a place on the pre-entry course guarantee a place on the Bachelor of Nursing course?
No. The pre-entry course prepares you for the academic study on the Bachelor of Nursing but it does not necessarily guarantee you a place on either the New Zealand Diploma of Enrolled Nursing or Bachelor of Nursing course.

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.

Are the course holidays the same as the school holidays?
Not always. Whilst every effort is made to match school holidays this is not always possible. Timetables are given out on orientation day so this will give you plenty of time to organise childcare. You may need to organise childcare as you could be on a clinical placement or in class.

Are there any part-time / member of the public papers?
No not in nursing. If you are looking for some preparatory study, you may wish to consider Health Science papers; Massage papers; or Computing skills.

Do I need a current first aid certificate?
YES you do. NZQA unit standard 26551 or 6402 equivalent. This is required before you start (if possible).

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

Information for Bachelor of Nursing applicants wishing to transfer in from another School.

• We do not take people into Year 3 of the Bachelor of Nursing
• Students wishing to transfer must obtain a reference from their current Head of School and give permission for the Head of School to be contacted by SIT
• Students wishing to gain Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) must provide a transcript and copies of all the related outcomes for that course. There is a charge for the RPL process. Any RPL for a second year clinical paper has to be approved by Nursing Council. RPL is not automatic and careful consideration is given to matching up outcomes – this is a lengthy process and may require a student to submit an assessment.
• There is no national curriculum and therefore applicants need to acknowledge that they may have to repeat part of their first or second years, thereby increasing their length of study
• Students need to think very carefully about why they are transferring
• Any students wishing to transfer must meet the entry criteria for the SIT Bachelor of Nursing programme
• There is no July intake - you cannot transfer mid-year.

Know more about Studying in New Zealand

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