Why Study "New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5)"

The New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5) at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is designed for students who want to develop professional nursing knowledge and practical skills for a career as an Enrolled Nurse in New Zealand. The programme combines classroom learning, simulated clinical practice, and clinical placements in healthcare settings. Students learn about human health, nursing practice, cultural safety, and the legal and ethical responsibilities of nursing. Successful graduates can progress towards the Nursing Council of New Zealand's state final examination and registration as an Enrolled Nurse, subject to meeting the applicable requirements.

Key Benefits

• Gain a nationally recognised New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5).

• Develop practical nursing skills through simulated learning and clinical placements.

• Learn about nursing practice, human body systems, pharmacology, and health assessment.

• Gain experience across healthcare settings, including rehabilitation, acute care, community, and mental health.

• Build a foundation for working as an Enrolled Nurse under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or other appropriate health professional.

• Develop professional communication, cultural safety, and evidence-based care skills.

• Gain a potential pathway towards further nursing education, subject to admission requirements.

Program Structure

The programme is a full-time qualification with a minimum duration of 1.5 years (18 months), including holidays where applicable. The course is delivered through flexible learning arrangements involving block classes and clinical placements.

• Level of study: New Zealand Diploma, Level 5.

• Total credits: 180.

• Duration: 1.5 years full-time.

• Study commitment: Approximately 35 hours per week, including classes and work placements.

• Learning mode: On-campus learning combined with clinical placements. The published programme information describes flexible delivery with block classes and work placements.

• Campus location: Windermere Campus, Tauranga.

• Next published intake: 19 July 2027.

• Programme subjects/topics:

  • Human Body Systems

  • Nursing Practice 1, 2 and 3

  • Professional Practice

  • Hauora Population Health

  • Knowledge and Evidence for Practice

  • Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

  • Transition to Enrolled Nursing Practice

Discipline / Specialisation

The programme focuses on Enrolled Nursing within the healthcare and nursing discipline. The course is designed to develop knowledge and skills relevant to nursing care across different health environments rather than offering separately listed specialisations.

Key areas of study include:

• Nursing practice and patient care

• Human anatomy and physiology

• Pathophysiology and pharmacology

• Population health and hauora

• Professional, legal, and ethical nursing practice

• Clinical assessment and evidence-based care

• Cultural safety and communication

Programme Highlights

• Clinical and simulated learning: Students develop practical skills in simulated learning environments before applying their knowledge during clinical placements.

• Healthcare exposure: Placements may involve community, rehabilitation, acute care, and mental health settings.

• Professional preparation: The programme introduces students to the responsibilities, ethical standards, and professional expectations of Enrolled Nursing.

• Clinical requirements: Students must meet the programme's health, immunity, first aid, and other placement-related requirements.

• Registration pathway: After completing the qualification, graduates are required to sit and pass the Nursing Council of New Zealand state final examination and meet registration requirements.

• Intake and campus: The current course listing identifies Windermere Campus in Tauranga, with the next published start date of 19 July 2027.

Scholarships and Funding

• The course webpage does not specify a dedicated scholarship for this particular nursing diploma in the information reviewed.

• International students should check Toi Ohomai's current scholarship offerings and eligibility criteria separately.

• StudyLink assistance is listed on the course page, but international students should not assume eligibility for domestic student funding. Eligibility depends on the relevant government rules and individual circumstances.

• International students should budget for tuition fees, living expenses, travel, insurance, and clinical-related costs.

Career Outcomes

After successfully completing the qualification and meeting the Nursing Council of New Zealand's requirements, graduates can pursue registration as an Enrolled Nurse.

Potential career opportunities include:

• Enrolled Nurse in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

• Nursing support and patient-care roles within appropriate clinical settings.

• Healthcare services involving rehabilitation, acute care, community health, and mental health.

• Further study in nursing or related healthcare programmes, subject to the entry requirements of the next qualification.

Enrolled Nurses provide nursing care and health education across the lifespan and work with access to, and seek when appropriate, guidance from a Registered Nurse or another health professional. Completion of the diploma alone does not automatically grant professional registration; the required examination and registration conditions must be fulfilled.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students planning to study this full-time programme in New Zealand will generally need an appropriate student visa, such as the Fee Paying Student Visa, unless they qualify for another visa category that permits their study.

Key considerations include:

• Offer of place: Obtain an offer of place from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology for the approved programme.

• Tuition fees: Provide evidence of payment or the financial arrangements required by Immigration New Zealand.

• Financial requirements: Demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses and other required costs. Immigration New Zealand currently specifies NZD 20,000 per year for tertiary students studying for one year or longer, subject to applicable rules.

• Health and travel insurance: Maintain insurance that meets the visa and education provider requirements.

• Health and character: Meet the applicable health, character, and genuine intention requirements.

• Visa conditions: Check the work rights and other conditions listed on the granted visa. Eligible students may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week, depending on their visa conditions.

• Clinical placements: Students should ensure they meet both the institution's clinical placement requirements and any relevant immigration conditions.

Visa requirements can change, so applicants should verify the latest conditions with Immigration New Zealand before submitting an application.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The following information reflects the course listing reviewed in September 2026.

• Latest published course update: The Toi Ohomai course page was updated on 9 September 2026.

• Next intake: 19 July 2027 at Windermere Campus, Tauranga.

• Duration and credits: The programme is listed as 1.5 years full-time and 180 credits.

• English language requirement: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, with no score below 6.5 in any subtest, from a single IELTS Test Report Form, or OET C+ minimum across all bands in one sitting. The institution specifically states that the English requirement for this course is higher than the minimum NZQA requirement.

• PTE: The course information states that PTE is no longer accepted by the Nursing Council of New Zealand for English language proficiency. Applicants should confirm accepted evidence with the institution before applying.

• Academic entry requirements: NCEA Level 2 with 10 credits in Level 1 Mathematics or Numeracy and 12 credits in Level 2 science-rich subjects, or a recognised equivalent pathway such as the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3), Health and Science Pathway, or a recognised bridging or pre-health qualification.

• Required documents: Two written references, a current comprehensive first aid certificate, evidence of required immunity, and a declaration regarding physical and mental health status from a GP or practice nurse.

• Police vetting: Applicants must declare relevant criminal convictions or prosecutions. Successful applicants must complete the required New Zealand Police consent and vetting process to demonstrate fitness for nursing registration.

• Clinical preparation costs: The institution lists indicative costs for clinical scrubs, immunity serology, and vaccinations. The published amounts include scrubs at $126.70, immunity serology at approximately $300–$500, and vaccines at approximately $40–$180. These amounts may change.

• Tuition fees: The 2027 fees were stated as yet to be confirmed on the reviewed course page. International applicants should request the current international tuition fee schedule directly from Toi Ohomai before making financial or visa arrangements.

• Scholarships: No specific course-linked scholarship was identified in the reviewed course information. Students should verify current institutional scholarship opportunities and eligibility before applying.