Programme highlights
Launch your career as a nurse in an essential industry.
Study this diploma to become a highly-skilled enrolled nurse. You will gain the necessary critical skills, learn in our modern clinical learning suite, and get the chance to work with patients in a range of healthcare settings.
When you graduate, you’ll be ready to sit the Nursing Council of New Zealand State Examination and apply for registration as an enrolled nurse in New Zealand.
For FAQ’s specific to the DEN, please click here.
If you are Māori or Pasifika, find out how you could be supported on your MIT journey with Te Ara Oranga.
Please note: Vaccination for COVID-19 is no longer an expectation for workers (including student nurses) in the public health system. Health NZ published a notice on 19 December 2024 stating the Pre-employment COVID-19 Vaccination Policy is withdrawn. This means that while getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is still highly recommended, it won’t be expected of student nurses. Students in nursing programmes at MIT will no longer be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or provide proof of vaccination to MIT. Other immunisation requirements are still in place (please see your programme information for details). To protect yourself and others, it is important to stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 vaccines as the virus changes, follow the latest immunisation recommendations, and be aware of any new infectious disease risks in your area.
Entry requirements
The School of Nursing encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds who want to be employed in healthcare. If you believe you meet the following entry criteria with alternative evidence, please contact us to assess your eligibility for this programme.
Applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
Academic requirements
- NCEA Level 2 which must include 12 credits in Level 1 Mathematics, or
- New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) or equivalent
If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), MIT will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.
Alternative requirements
- Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic Requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternative entry. This may include Recognition of Prior Learning.
Additional requirements
- Consent to Disclosure of Information. Successful applicants will be required to complete a New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form. The form will be sent by MIT to the Police Licencing and Vetting Service, and returned in confidence to the Head of School. Information on the NZ Police Vetting Service is available from the New Zealand Police website
- A first aid certificate (Red Cross Comprehensive or St John’s Workplace) which is current at the time the programme starts
- Applicants who meet academic entry criteria may be required to attend an interview
- Provide evidence of good character and personal attributes via two referee report(s). Your referee reports, personal statement and interview (if required) should provide evidence of appropriateness to study in the nursing profession. In your personal statement you should outline why you have chosen nursing as a career and describe personal qualities and relevant aspects from your life experiences which will enhance your application
- In order to participate in the clinical components of the programme, you must meet various Health Authority requirements. Currently, MRSA clearance is required by most clinical practice areas.
- You will need to buy a uniform.
English requirements
- If English is not the applicant’s first language, applicants will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart. Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, may contact MIT for an assessment;
- IELTS 6.5 Academic (no lower than 6.5 in any subtest).
Note: IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test. The English Language requirements for this programme are higher than the minimum set by NZQA, therefore; applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance may be required to provide evidence of English Language skills.
Special & discretionary admission
Any ākonga who is 20 years of age or older and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme is eligible for Special Admission. Te Pūkenga works with the ākonga to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme. Any ākonga who is not yet 20 years of age and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme may be eligible for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the delegated authority focuses on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.
Give yourself credit with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Did you know you can use the knowledge and experience you already have to your advantage?
Your previous work experience and on-the-job skills, volunteering, professional development, and other providers’ qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – potentially saving you money and possibly helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.
Programme structure
You will need to complete the below eight courses (180 credits):
Level 4
Level 5
Do you want to study a single course, without enrolling into the full programme?
Courses within some of our programmes may be offered as an individual Certificate of Proficiency (COP). Programme entry requirements and course fees apply. For more information, please speak to our friendly Ask Me! team.
Further training or study
Career opportunities
A range of potential jobs as an enrolled nurse. For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.