To celebrate International Nurses Day, we caught up with Chelsea Lind, Elsie Smith and Melinda Copley to find out more about nursing in Aotearoa.
Kia ora Chelsea, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
“I’m a cardiothoracic operating room nurse, and I’ve been working for over 5 years. Before becoming a nurse, I was a pastry chef and I still love to bake and cook. I’m also an avid motorsports fan and keep strange hours on the weekend to keep up with F1 and MotoGP!”
Was there a moment, or a series of moments, where you decided that nursing was the profession for you?
“When I was a student on my pre-registration placement, a patient went into cardiac arrest in the pre-op area. I took the patient’s daughter out of the pre-op area and waited with her while colleagues carried out resuscitation. Being with the patient’s daughter, talking with her and comforting her at this time was a powerful moment for me and emphasised the importance of human connection. While I was attracted to operating room nursing for its technical aspects, this moment highlighted the non-technical skills I could develop to be a good nurse and made me feel like I was in the right place.”
How would you finish this sentence? “I am proud of my mahi because…”
“…of my colleagues!! They are the most hard-working, dedicated group of nurses and I am lucky to work among them. Together we provide the highest level of care and support for patients who are living through a life-changing experience. We also provide support to each other which is so important in a work environment that is consistently demanding.”
Can you share a message to the rest of your nursing colleagues around the motu?
“I truly believe that nurses are the backbone of our health system. We are technical experts AND we are experts at providing comfort for our patients, advocating for them and ensuring all our colleagues make patient and whānau-centred decisions. Being a nurse is tough at the best of times and at the moment it’s even harder. But don’t ever forget that we are an essential and irreplaceable factor in bringing health to our people.”
Kia ora Elsie, Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
“Warm Pacific greeting! I'm a Clinical Nurse Specialist working in the Pacific Planned Care Navigation Team at Auckland City Hospital. Our team collaborates alongside hospital services to support Pacific patients within the surgical pathway, with a focus on equity through support and advocacy. We also extend our work to assist and support referrals from within the hospital concerning Pacific patients. Previously, I worked in ward 74, specialising in Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) surgical cases and other ENT conditions.
“When I'm not at work, you'll find me spending most of my time with family, particularly my teenage daughter. I enjoy fishing and taking long drives to discover the stunning green scenery that New Zealand has to offer.”
Was there a moment, or series of moments, where you decided that nursing was the profession for you?
“There have been numerous fulfilling moments throughout my pre and current nursing journey, but one that truly resonates with me occurred while I was commuting home, feeling exhausted from a long shift as a student nurse. A young woman approached me on the train and took a seat beside me. With tears in her eyes, she expressed her deep appreciation for the work of nurses, recounting positive experiences during her many hospital admissions. The care she received exceeded her expectations of what a nurse's role entails. This encounter fills me with pride for my fellow nurses especially the nurses that cared for this young woman, it also strengthens my own pride in being part of this profession.”
How would you finish this sentence? “I am proud of my mahi because…”
“...I can utilise my Samoan language, nursing skills and knowledge to advocate for and educate Pacific patients, with the goal of enhancing health outcomes and narrowing the health disparity in New Zealand, as well as making a difference in patients' hospital experiences.”
Can you share a message to the rest of your nursing colleagues around the motu?
“Sending warm wishes to all nurses around the motu on International Nurses Day 2024. Your unwavering dedication to the work we're passionate about is truly commendable, especially in delivering exceptional care for our whānau and community, who are the focus of our work. Each of you deserves recognition for the valuable contributions you’re making towards improving the health outcomes of New Zealanders. Happy International Nurses Day!”
Hi Melinda, can you tell us about yourself?
“I’m a nurse specialist in cardiology at Auckland City Hospital. This has allowed me to not only be part of an enjoyable and challenging environment but has given me the balance in life I wanted to juggle work and being a parent. When I am not at work you will find me with my family or up a mountain in the South Island snowboarding, hiking or mountain biking.”
Was there a moment, or a series of moments, where you decided that nursing was the profession for you?
“I left nursing in my mid-20s and completed a MA at Columbia University in New York. I was fortunate to work at the university after this and lectured in Epidemiology and International Health. On returning to New Zealand, I spent about eight years working in clinical research for the Heart Health Research Group at the University of Auckland. After spending so much time working alongside many talented nurse specialists in Cardiology, I decided to make the move back to nursing and have not looked back. What it really came down to for me was the immense satisfaction and pleasure I get from working with patients. It is such a privilege.”
How would you finish this sentence? “I am proud of my mahi because…”
“...I have the privilege of working with people in a very vulnerable time in their lives and feel I can really make a tangible difference to not only their physical health but holistically”.
Can you share a message to the rest of your nursing colleagues around the motu?
“As nurses, we are continually faced with new challenges, but let’s remember and treasure the profound and meaningful impact we make on other people’s lives and their whānau. The commitment and dedication you all have providing exceptional care to people in their time of need is truly awe-inspiring.”
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