Lead change and shape the future of nursing practice, services and policy
Advanced your professional practice and leadership by studying for the Doctor of Nursing (DNurs). Make a significant contribution to the profession of nursing by addressing complex, contemporary issue affecting nursing, healthcare practice and services.
Develop your professional understanding and expertise in research, evaluation, and professional practice including reflective practice. Build the research capability to investigate real-world professional challenges and translate evidence into meaningful change. Connect your applied research with your professional context and the people who can influence change, supported by our connections and proximity to national health agencies, policymakers, and nursing colleagues.
Who can study for a Doctor of Nursing
You’ll need to have one of the following qualifications in a discipline relevant to nursing:
- Bachelor’s degree with Honours
- Master’s degree
- postgraduate diploma with a minimum GPA of 5 (letter grade B), or other postgraduate qualification at an equivalent standard.
You’ll also need a minimum of five years’ relevant and significant professional experience in nursing and be approved for entry by the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health.
The DNurs is designed for experienced nursing professionals who want to use applied research to lead change in their professional field.
Not available to international students
This doctorate is only open to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
What you’ll learn
The DNurs combines coursework and research, to develop your professional understanding and expertise in research, evaluation and professional practice.
Depending on your speciality area, you'll draw on interdisciplinary perspectives to:
- inform health policy and practice
- improve healthcare practice and service delivery
- address health inequities
- develop and evaluate solutions to complex professional challenges
- create meaningful and sustainable professional impact.
Completing a DNurs involves self-directed study, demanding intellectual effort, self-discipline, and dedication.
Learn from expert staff
Our staff cover diverse areas of research. They adopt a range of methodological and research design approaches. They work in broad research areas, including:
- clinical and applied practice
- social sciences
- health service delivery
- psychology
- health and safety
- epidemiology.
How you’ll study
This is a 360-point qualification. You’ll learn through advanced coursework and applied research focused on an issue relevant to your professional field.
Your study falls into two parts.
Part 1
In your first two years, you'll complete advanced coursework that lays the foundation for your applied research project and thesis. You'll:
- critically examine contemporary issues in professional practice
- develop advanced research knowledge and skills
- prepare a research proposal
- get to know and work with your adviser.
Part One is delivered through block days of seminars, workshops, and guest lectures.
You need to complete Part 1 and gain approval from the Associate Dean before you can enrol in Part 2. You’ll also need to have your thesis proposal approved.
Part 2
In Part Two you’ll undertake your applied doctoral research and complete and defend a thesis of up to 70,000 words. Your research will address an issue relevant to your professional field and make an original contribution to nursing practice, services or policy.
Part-time study options
The Doctor of Nursing is designed to be completed part-time, to fit in with your work commitments. Allow two years for the coursework and up to four years for the thesis—a maximum of six years in total.
The dean of the Faculty of Graduate Research can may extend this maximum period in special cases.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. Before enrolment, a candidate for the DNurs degree shall have:
(a) completed an Honours or Master’s degree or postgraduate diploma with a minimum GPA of 5 (letter grade B), or other postgraduate qualification at an equivalent standard in a discipline relevant to nursing; and
(b) provided evidence of appropriate and significant professional experience, normally of at least five years; and
(c) established to the satisfaction of the Associate Dean (Postgraduate Research) that they are capable of proceeding with the qualification.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the DNurs
2. The course of study for the DNurs shall consist of at least 360 points comprising:
Part 1: Critical Analysis and Research Inquiry (HLTH 601), Professional Contexts for Health Research (HLTH 602), Theory to Practice Methodology in Context (HLTH 603), Applied Research Proposal (HLTH 604); and
Part 2: Doctor of Nursing Thesis (NRSE 691) Thesis.
3. Initially a candidate shall be registered in Part 1 of the DNurs
4. Enrolment into Part 2 is conditional on a satisfactory completion of all assessments in Part 1 and acceptance into Part 2 by the Associate Dean (Research) on the advice of the Head of School.
5. Enrolment in Part 2 shall normally occur within 24 months of first enrolment in Part 1.
6. Except with the permission of the Dean, Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research (Dean FGR), the periods of enrolment (excluding any approved period(s) of suspension) in Parts 1 and 2 combined for a full-time candidate shall be a minimum of 36 months and a maximum of 48 months (or the part-time equivalents).
7. Extensions to the maximum period of enrolment may be granted by the Dean FGR on the recommendation of the relevant associate dean, and shall not usually exceed 12 months. Consideration of extensions shall take account of the candidate’s personal circumstances and the nature of the research project, and consent shall neither be unreasonably withheld nor given without good cause. All calculations shall exclude any periods of suspension.
8. In every year of enrolment regular reports on the progress of the candidate shall be completed and submitted to the associate dean. A candidate’s enrolment may be terminated if they fail to make satisfactory progress or if they do not meet the requirements of the examination process.
9. The associate dean may, on the application of the candidate or the supervisors at any time before the submission of the thesis approve the enrolment of the candidate in a subject for an appropriate Master’s degree instead of the degree of Doctor of Nursing where the regulations for such a Master’s degree provide that the degree may be taken by thesis and where the candidate does not already hold that degree in the same subject at the University. The candidate shall be deemed to have been enrolled in and to have followed a course of study for that Master’s degree for the appropriate minimum period, provided that the candidate has been enrolled for the degree of Doctor of Nursing for that period.
Future careers
The Doctor of Nursing opens doors to advanced roles in health research and academia.
You’ll be able to make significant contributions to the health sector and articulate the impact of your leadership on health sector practice.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Health
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This scholarship is offered to women graduates intending to study at Victoria University of Wellington in a course leading to a higher degree, which includes research in some field related to the general purpose of teaching or promoting the knowledge of home or domestic science among the women of New Zealand (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Education or Science).
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This scholarship was established, via the Victoria University Foundation, through a bequest from Bruce Lauder of Timaru, in memory of his sister, Janet Lauder, who had a long career as a nurse. To support postgraduate nursing students at Victoria University of Wellington undertaking research in public or community heath. The funds are to be used to support research-related expenses or...
Scholarships for international students
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Health
-
This scholarship is offered to women graduates intending to study at Victoria University of Wellington in a course leading to a higher degree, which includes research in some field related to the general purpose of teaching or promoting the knowledge of home or domestic science among the women of New Zealand (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Education or Science).
-
This scholarship was established, via the Victoria University Foundation, through a bequest from Bruce Lauder of Timaru, in memory of his sister, Janet Lauder, who had a long career as a nurse. To support postgraduate nursing students at Victoria University of Wellington undertaking research in public or community heath. The funds are to be used to support research-related expenses or...
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Academic staff research areas
Academic staff from many parts of the university contribute to our postgraduate nursing programme, alongside specialists from the School of Health.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.