Careers
What's nursing all about?
Over the past few years nursing has evolved into a career that offers challenges and rewards to a wide variety of people.
Whether you are interested in fast paced, rapidly changing environments such as:
- emergency departments or intensive care units; or
- rehabilitation (where people are recovering from serious illnesses); or
- health promotion environment (working pro-actively with individuals and their communities);
What's happening in health?
Over the next ten to twenty years, there will be significant shifts in the nature of the health workforce in New Zealand. As the population increases, the profile of people needing healthcare will change - there will be a greater proportion of over 65s and Maori, Pacific and Asian peoples. More health services will be delivered in the community rather than in hospital or institutional care
What is involved in a Bachelor of Nursing qualification?
The Bachelor of Nursing is a comprehensive three-year, full time degree that combines theory with simulated and clinical experience preparing you for a career in nursing. CPIT offers the Bachelor of Nursing degree with intakes in February and July.
Learning is supported by highly qualified teaching staff, up-to-date learning facilities and simulation laboratories, and a full range of support services.
How much do registered nurses earn?
Recent increases in salary rates mean that a new graduate in 2006 will earn a base rate of $40,000 in their first year, plus overtime. Across all industries, only 16% of new graduates earn more. A nurse with five years experience, whose work includes shift work, can expect to earn approximately $66,000 per year.
What's a Registered Nurse's career like?
Career pathways in nursing are many and varied. Some nurses choose to specialise, others move between environments to take on new challenges. Areas where Registered Nurses work include:
- paediatrics
- oncology
- medical or surgical high dependency
- pain management
- cardiac nursing
- mental health
- forensics.
They may also become a nurse practitioner, going into nursing management, research, consultancy, education or health management.
| Did you know? |
Nursing salaries for new bachelor of nursing graduates has increased by 17% since 2004. |
What is a nurse assistant?
Nurse Assistants work assisting Registered Nurses to deliver nursing care to individuals in community, residential, and hospital settings. The one year Certificate in Nursing focuses on long-term care and rehabilitation.
Financial support
The costs of study can often be met by a scholarship or a loan. Scholarships cover a wide range of options, from awards for academic excellence, through to specific nursing scholarships, and scholarships to assist those who would not be able to afford study otherwise.
For further information contact us