Bachelor of Nursing in New Zealand
One of the fastest PR pathways for international students in NZ.
What you study
A Bachelor of Nursing covers anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, mental health, and nursing practice across medical, surgical, community and aged care settings. Clinical placement runs through all three years in hospitals, clinics and community services. New Zealand programmes also teach cultural safety and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations in health, which the Nursing Council requires. The final year includes an extended transition placement.
The Bachelor of Nursing is a Level 7 Healthcare qualification we help international students apply for at accredited New Zealand institutions.
Does the Bachelor of Nursing lead to residence in New Zealand?
Working here after you graduate
This is a degree at Level 7, so graduates can apply for a post-study work visa of up to three years and work in any job, anywhere in New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand only restricts what you may work in for non-degree qualifications at Level 7 and below, which does not apply here.
Points towards residence
The Skilled Migrant Category is a threshold of six points, not a score to maximise: once you reach six, more points earn nothing. A New Zealand bachelor's degree is worth 5 points, so one year of skilled work in New Zealand takes you to the 6 needed.
A qualification earned in New Zealand is worth more than the same level earned overseas, which is one of the few concrete advantages of studying here rather than at home.
The Green List
Graduates in this field commonly work in these roles, which are on Immigration New Zealand's Green List:
- Registered Nurse Tier 1, Straight to Residence
This role is regulated, so you also need registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand before you can work in it.
Immigration New Zealand names the Bachelor of Nursing directly against this role, which is unusual and makes it one of the clearest study-to-residence routes on the list. Council registration is still required before you can work as a nurse.
Our study to residence pathways page sets out how the post-study work visa, the Green List and the Skilled Migrant Category fit together.
Who can advise you on this. Student NZ is an education advisory service. Joy helps you choose the course and the institution, and helps you prepare a student visa application. Advice about your own residence prospects has to come from a licensed immigration adviser, so we connect you to ProVisas' IAA-licensed advisers (Licence 201301110) for that part.
Green List roles are from Immigration New Zealand's list effective 23 March 2026; points are from its Skilled Migrant Category rules. Checked 17 September 2026. Immigration rules change, so confirm against the Green List and the Skilled Migrant Category before making a decision.
Where graduates work
Graduates work as registered nurses in public hospitals, primary care, aged residential care and mental health services across New Zealand. Registered Nurse is Tier 1 on the Green List. What makes this qualification unusual is that Immigration New Zealand names the Bachelor of Nursing directly against the role rather than describing a qualification level, so the link between degree and occupation is explicit.
Questions about the Bachelor of Nursing
What if I am already a nurse from another country?
That is a different route. The Nursing Council of New Zealand assesses your overseas qualification and may require a competence assessment programme rather than a full degree. The Bachelor of Nursing is the standard path for people who are not yet nurses. The Council decides which applies to you.
Do I need to register with the Nursing Council?
Yes. You cannot work as a nurse in New Zealand without registration and an annual practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Registration follows the degree and the Council's registration examination, and the Council decides which programmes it approves.
How long is nursing study in New Zealand?
Three years full time for a Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing, including the clinical hours the Nursing Council requires. Graduates can apply for a post-study work visa of up to three years, which is generally when registration and the first nursing role happen.
Other qualifications to compare
The level a qualification sits at decides what you can apply for once you finish, so it is worth comparing a few before you enrol.
Ask us about the Bachelor of Nursing
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Book a free 15-minute call with Joy, our International Education Adviser. She'll confirm your eligibility for this course and map out your student visa and PR pathway.