Brittany Arthur, of Christchurch, was in her final year at Otago Polytechnic. She died at Dunedin Hospital on Saturday from acute meningococcal meningitis.
It is not known how she contracted the disease.
A family friend said doctors had told the family people could be carriers of the disease, some could be affected mildly with flu-like symptoms, while for others it was fatal.
``Brittany was well last Wednesday. She sat her final exam and went out for dinner afterwards,'' the friend said.
``Then on Thursday, she woke up in the morning with a headache.
``During the day she felt like she was coming right, but then it came on again later in the afternoon.
``She went back to bed and just before midnight she got up and collapsed.''
She was taken to intensive care and never regained consciousness.
Parents Jose and Donald Arthur praised hospital staff for the care their daughter received.
They encouraged people to be wary of anyone displaying symptoms of meningitis, including severe headache, fever, cold hands and feet, vomiting, drowsiness, difficult to wake, confusion and irritability, severe muscle pain, pale blotchy skin, spots/rash, and/or a stiff neck.
``The message is, with things like that, you have to take them seriously. Seek help and look out for your friends,'' Mrs Arthur said.
The hospital has provided advice on the disease to tertiary students.
Brittany attended Lincoln Primary and St Margaret's College in Christchurch, before coming to Dunedin.
Mrs Arthur said Brittany identified nursing as her chosen career from an early age and quickly realised it was her passion.
``The positive feedback from her patients reinforced that her caring and thoughtful disposition were perfectly suited to nursing.''
She described Brittany as a ``very compassionate and loving person'' who took great pleasure in helping others.
``Following her tragic death, her giving has continued with her organs being used to enhance the wellbeing of others through Organ Donation New Zealand.
``Brittany touched the lives of many people and will be sorely missed.''
A service will be held for Brittany at 2pm on Thursday, at Lincoln Baptist Church, Lincoln.
