School of Nursing , Te Kura Tāpuhi

The School of Nursing is at the forefront of research, teaching and nursing leadership, with innovative clinical programmes accredited by the Nursing Council and recognised internationally.

Overview

The School of Nursing – Te Kura Tāpuhi works closely with health organisations in New Zealand and around the world to improve the health of people and their communities.

Our innovative school provides a world-class teaching, learning and research environment in which scholarship and research flourishes. Our teaching programmes emphasise clinical expertise and leadership in nursing.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The School of Nursing respects and upholds the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi. We demonstrate commitment to developing and maintaining culturally safe and competent nursing practice, and act as advocates for tangata whenua.

We focus on the synergies and staircasing of te Tiriti across the nursing course offerings. Attention to contemporary understandings and practices enacting te Tiriti in nursing and health care is a key pillar throughout the school.

Study with us

We are New Zealand's only nursing school offering nursing degrees on two campuses (Palmerston North and Wellington) and the leading provider of highly skilled nurse practitioners.

All our clinical programmes are accredited with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Explore by area of interest

Explore a selection of qualifications relating to your interests.

Study nursing

Become a highly skill nurse. We can help — we've been doing it for decades, ranking in the world's top 150 universities for nursing.

Nurse listening to a child's chest with a stethoscope Nurse listening to a child's chest with a stethoscope Nurse listening to a child's chest with a stethoscope Nurse listening to a child's chest with a stethoscope

Who we are

Our people make us who we are.

Research

Our research strategy aims to build research leadership, capability and capacity. We understand that research and practice are essential partners, and we strive to build academic and industry collaborations locally, nationally and internationally. Our approach is to build translational research and teaching across academic and clinical domains of practice.

Research themes

Primary health care

Including health service models and health equity, and primary health care different populations such as:

  • Māori and Pacific peoples
  • children and young people
  • older adults, including those with long-term conditions and multi-morbidity.

Mental health

Mental health in different settings and within diverse populations such as the Tongan community.

Nursing development

Including the health workforce, and nursing education, theory and practice.

Research projects

Examples of how our people create and share new knowledge.

Primary health care

Primary health care: Developing a strangulation screening tool from frontline responders’ knowledge

Dr Andrea Donaldson

This Health Research Activation Grant project explores existing knowledge about the prevalence of non-fatal strangulation of adults and children in relation to domestic violence. The team is particularly interested in developing a detailed medical-forensic assessment tool, rather than routine tick-box screening, for first responders to use with patients of all ages who have experienced non-fatal strangulation.

Contact Andrea Donaldson

Supporting lifestyle change and vocational rehabilitation

Professor Clare Harvey

This Health Research Activation Grant project evaluates a pilot run in one regional health service that aims to establish individualised, collaborative programmes for patients living with complex health issues to return to work whilst self-managing their complex conditions effectively. It is a collaboration between the health service, government agencies, the patients and their whānau.

Contact Clare Harvey

Health service models

Health service models: Exploring innovative ways to better meet patients’ healthcare demands

Dr Alison Pirret

Increases in healthcare demands and complex illnesses place increased pressure on hospital wards and intensive care beds. This project explores nursing practice models to support effective patient care within contemporary health constraints.

Contact Alison Pirret

Death is different

Death is different: Experiences of intensive care nurses during COVID-19

This study explores the experiences of nurses working in intensive care units (ICU) to find out how they cope with extended-stay COVID-19 patients. The focus will be to:

  • identify positive and negative factors that influence nurses’ capacity to care in this unchartered experience
  • explore how nurses reconcile the absence of family/whānau prevented from visiting because of pandemic-related controls.

Contact Clare Harvey

Humanising intensive care (ICU) within constraints of a pandemic

Dr Claire Minton

Person-centredness remains the ultimate goal for ICU nurses, described as being able to integrate biomedical treatment and maintenance of patient identity with a compassionate and professional presence.

However, the partnership between patient and nurse is fraught with challenges associated with the clinical state of the patient and the environment.

Contact Claire Minton

Accreditations and rankings

Nursing Council of New Zealand

Our nursing qualifications are nationally and internationally recognised and approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Upon completion you can apply for registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

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QS Ranking - Nursing

Massey nursing is ranked in the world's top 150 universities by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

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ShanghaiRanking - nursing

Massey University is ranked in the top 150 universities in the world and first in New Zealand in the subject area of nursing by the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

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New Zealand Performance-Based Research Fund Rankings

According to the NZ PBRF Rankings 2018, Massey University achieved research excellence relative to other New Zealand universities in the subject area of nursing.

Learn more

Support nursing scholarships

There are currently more than 4,000 nursing vacancies across New Zealand, and our hospitals and medical centres are under enormous pressure.

Massey University’s Bachelor of Nursing degree is renowned for the quality of its graduates. You can help us encourage school leavers to enter the nursing profession and ensure our nursing students complete their studies and enter the workforce equipped to deliver the best possible care to New Zealanders. Select Nursing Scholarship Fund as your donation designation to help our nursing students.

Meet our graduates

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Massey University and am thankful for the many relationships I developed along the way, the wider network of health professionals I engaged with, and the opportunity to be involved with Massey after graduating.”
Siobhan Hennessy

Ngāti Kahungunu

Master of Nursing

“The Master of Nursing played a crucial part in influencing what I have done so far in my career. The lecturers were supportive and challenged me to think critically and to express my ideas. As a Māori student I was well supported by Massey through Te Rau Puawai – a programme established by Sir Mason Durie.”
Valerie Williams

Rongomaiwahine

Master of Nursing

“The Master of Nursing programme will offer me a tremendous influence on the future of nursing by educating and mentoring junior nurses and student nurses. Being able to play such a vital role in the continuous care of entire global communities is something that most people can only dream of.”
Gian Carlo Talavera

Master of Nursing

For students and our graduates

Become a registered nurse with Massey's Bachelor of Nursing — or Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) if you already have an undergraduate degree in any discipline.

Postgraduate study at Massey prepares you for clinical leadership roles such as prescribing nurse, clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner.

Nursing careers

Graduates registering overseas

For Massey graduates applying for registration in another country, the School of Nursing will provide a transcript, the academic certification for your overseas registration process. There is an administration fee.

Order transcript

Meet our graduates

“Massey University has not only provided a foundation for my future in nursing, but it has also given me the opportunity to inspire and bring hope to my own whānau and friends.”
Acacia Thompson

Ngāti Wai

Waitemata DHB, Registered Nurse, Acute Orthopaedics

Bachelor of Nursing

“I'd always had an interest in health and wanted to do something that would make a significant contribution to my community. The degree built my confidence in what I am capable of, both academically and practically. It’s never too late to start something new at any stage of life.”
Anna Stanton-Wells
Anna Stanton-Wells

Practice Nurse

Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing)

“My strengths and resilience grew on physical, emotional and psychological levels as my depth of knowledge about health, patients, society and healthcare services grew with the programme.”
Bo Yi-Leu

Bachelor of Nursing

Facilities

You'll have access to a wide range of first-class facilities when you study with us.

Two student nurses in a nursing simulation suite

Nursing simulation suites

Suites include:

  • mock hospital settings
  • 2-way observation spaces
  • standard nursing equipment for hospital and community work.

Students learn and practice nursing skills through case studies and simulations using actors, interactive manikins and real-time body camera recordings.

Location: Manawatū and Wellington

Empathy Lab

Empathy is a key aspect of healthcare. But when you're fit and healthy, it's not always easy to understand the impacts of long-term illness or ageing. Nursing students wear special suits that mimic what it's like to do daily tasks after suffering a stroke, or being restricted by declining health.

Location: Auckland, Manawatū and Wellington campuses

Contact the School of Nursing

We teach on Massey's Palmerston North (Manawatū) and Wellington campuses.

School of Nursing – Manawatū campus

Location

Use our Manawatū campus maps or find us on Google Maps.

Postal address
School of Nursing
Private Bag 11 222
Palmerston North 4442
New Zealand

School of Nursing – Wellington campus

Location

Use our Wellington campus maps or find us on Google Maps.

Postal address
School of Nursing
Private Bag 11 222
Palmerston North 4442
New Zealand

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