They are the true definition of healthcare heroes – working tirelessly at the frontline to ensure the wellbeing of our patients and community during these unprecedented times. Over the past few weeks, we have celebrated the International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day, acknowledging our wonderful community of nurses and midwives and their incredible contribution to the Southern region.
Rosie Simpson
Congratulations to Dunedin Hospital Emergency Department Nurse Rosie Simpson who has been made an Honorary Life Member of the College of Emergency Nurses NZ (CEENZ).
Rosie has worked in the Emergency Department at Dunedin Hospital for 30 years. For ten of those years she was a triage instructor and made a significant contribution to the triage course.
Queenstown midwife acknowledged by locals
Lakes District Hospital Midwifery Coordinator and Midwife, Ann Mackay, has been acknowledged by local
Ann Mackay
Queenstown restaurant The Hayes, with a free meal as thanks for working around the clock to ensure women and their babies were cared for during the last two months. Ann paid tribute to the Queenstown community and how supportive people have been throughout the pandemic.
Southland celebrates 12 NETP graduates
Twelve Southland graduate nurses have successfully completed the Nursing Entry to Practice Programme (NETP) that ran from January 2019-January 2020.
NETP Coordinator Leah Watson says nurses undertake NETP during their first year as a Registered Nurse, to create a smooth transition from being a student to a nurse with real life responsibilities.
“Providing professional and personal support and guidance to new grads in the early years of a nursing career is essential because their journey shapes and moulds them into the sort of nurse they are likely to be in the future,” says Leah.
“Providing professional and personal support and guidance to new grads in the early years of a nursing career is essential because their journey shapes and moulds them into the sort of nurse they are likely to be in the future,” says Leah.
The NETP Programme required the nurses to complete three (now reduced to two) formal academic assignments; meet a certain number of clinical hours; and submit a Level 2 PDRP portfolio demonstrating competence. Participants also have to attend 12 NETP training days, and work a minimum of 0.8 FTE, so it is a busy programme for them, Leah says.
“The 2019-2020 graduate group have met all of the NETP requirements and have graduated from the programme. All have been offered positions in the workplace and have decided to stay.”
Check out these other Better Health South Stories:
COVID-19 simulations invaluable to Southern DHB
New Dunedin Hospital project demolition ramps up
Telehealth helps recovery during lockdown
Better Health South - Board Update May 2020
