To gain entry to the Doctor of Nursing programme, you must have completed a Bachelor’s degree with honours, or a Master’s degree, or postgraduate diploma in nursing or equivalent and have a minimum of five years’ experience in a relevant professional role.

You’ll also need to be approved for entry by the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health.

This doctorate is only available to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

In your first two years, or Part 1, you’ll complete coursework that lays the foundation for your thesis. You will learn how to research in a professional context and prepare a research proposal.

Your learning will take place in block days of seminars, workshops and guest lectures giving you the flexibility to fit in study with work, and you’ll stay connected through online forums.

You’ll need to complete Part 1 and gain approval from the Associate Dean before you can enrol in Part 2.

In Part 2 you’ll complete your thesis, writing a document of up to 70,000 words that demonstrates your substantial research. You’ll already know your supervisor, having worked closely with them throughout Part 1.

Candidates are expected to complete the Doctor of Nursing part time, allowing two years for the coursework and up to four years for the thesis—a maximum of six years in total. As the on-campus teaching is limited to block lectures, you can continue to work while you study.

You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of points you’ll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10-12 hours work.