Develop the leadership and management skills to navigate complex challenges, support your team, and drive positive outcomes for patients and communities.
Why study Nursing (Leadership and Management)?
Nursing leadership plays a vital role in shaping health care’s future, and this endorsement helps you develop the insight and skills to make a difference.
You will explore how leadership and management approaches apply directly to nursing practice, learning how to support colleagues and improve services. The programme encourages you to reflect on your leadership style and communication, while considering ethical and cultural dimensions of care. You will develop the ability to navigate complex challenges, balancing patient needs with organisational priorities.
Through examining different perspectives and frameworks, you gain confidence in making thoughtful decisions that benefit whānau, staff, and communities.
Career opportunities
This endorsement equips you to take on leadership roles that influence the delivery and quality of nursing care across various settings. Career pathways include:
- Charge nurse or team leader roles
- Clinical nurse management positions
- Coordinating quality improvement initiatives
- Service or programme leadership in health organisations
- Nursing education and professional development roles
What it’s like to study at this level
Your study combines theoretical insights with practical reflection and application.
You will analyse scenarios to understand how leadership decisions affect staff, patients, and services. The programme encourages you to develop skills you can immediately use in your workplace, including communication, critical thinking, and reflective practice. Learning is flexible and supportive, designed to fit with your professional and personal commitments.
This is for you if ...
Admission to this endorsement requires approval from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
You need to be a graduate or hold a relevant health professional qualification equivalent to at least three years of full-time tertiary study. You should have experience or be currently working in health care and be able to demonstrate readiness for advanced academic study.
Shape the future of nursing leadership
Otago’s postgraduate health sciences education is built on a strong foundation of research, experience, and a commitment to practical impact.
Our academic staff bring extensive knowledge of health care leadership and management, providing guidance that is both practical and forward-thinking.
By studying at Otago, you join a community that values curiosity, collaboration, and personal growth. You will benefit from a supportive learning environment and a network of professionals and researchers who share your passion for advancing nursing leadership.
Otago offers you the opportunity to deepen your understanding, challenge your thinking, and grow as a nurse leader ready to make a positive difference.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
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Contacts
Coordinator, Student Experience
University of Otago, Christchurch
Email postgrad.uoc@otago.ac.nz
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