Nursing students celebrate end of studies

Image: Daryn Thompson and whānau at Northec's Bachelor of Nursing whakawātea

NorthTec’s third-year Bachelor of Nursing students were farewelled at a whakawātea at Te Puna o Te Mātauranga Marae.

The 38 students each took the time to speak to those present to acknowledge the support received from their families, NorthTec tutors and classmates, who helped them throughout their studies and contributed to their success.

Jeanette Briscoe, Principal Nursing Lecturer, said the nursing team at NorthTec is immensely proud of the students’ achievements. She said: “The students have worked extremely hard and have made personal sacrifices to ensure they have graduated successfully. It’s wonderful to see them complete their studies and go on to great jobs in their new profession, serving their community.”

Matua Ross Smith from NorthTec spoke about the lack of male presence within the health sector in New Zealand, and in Te Tai Tokerau. This was addressed again by some of the students. Daryn Thompson, one of the two male graduates of this cohort of students, says if there are any males considering taking the step towards their nursing degree: “I challenge you to do it.”

He says: “I’ve worked in a timber mill and cut wood all day, I’ve worked on construction sites building bridges, tunnels and apartment blocks but by far the nursing degree has given me the most challenging and rewarding experiences.”

Daryn plans to work within the mental health services at the Northland District Health Board. “I have a role with the Acute Spectrum Specialist Service as a metabolic specialist to assist those diagnosed with a mental illness and comorbidities, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. I will also be involved with coordinating the medication run to assist people living in the community to maintain their mental health.”

Daryn’s wife is also completing the Bachelor of Nursing at NorthTec and is on track to graduate next July. “My wife and I wanted to set an example for our children because we had told them having an education is important, so we also needed to show them. Now our 18-year-old daughter is pursuing a dream by studying Criminal Law. Our 16-year-old son has always been skilled at making things out of timber so he is now studying to become a builder.”

At the whakawātea, graduating student, Roslyn Reid, spoke about the importance of the support she had received from her friends who are graduating alongside her, and her family. She encouraged others to follow their dream of becoming a nurse.

She said: “If you hope to gain life-long friendships, push your boundaries beyond limits you never thought existed, accomplish dreams you never dared thought possible; if you want to stand here today, like I am, someone who never dared believe, but at this moment is living the dream, then the Bachelor of Nursing at NorthTec is for you!”

All graduates will be eligible to graduate formally at the annual NorthTec graduation ceremony in March. NorthTec has two nursing intakes each year, and holds a marae-based whakawātea to farewell each group at the end of their studies.