Hospice nurses enjoy training at NorthTec

Clinical staff from North Haven Hospice took the opportunity to refresh their skills with two days of training at NorthTec.
The nurses and health care assistants from the Tikipunga-based hospice enjoyed the chance to get together and learn new skills, as well as practicing other procedures.

Tutors from NorthTec’s nursing department ran clinical sessions for the hospice team, consisting of nurses who work mainly providing end-of-life care, both in the in-patient unit and in the community.

North Haven’s Operations Manager (Clinical Services), Cathy West, said the two-day professional development session formed part of the hospice’s mandatory annual training. She said this was the first time it had been held at NorthTec and was an opportunity to get input and training from nursing tutors, and also to use the clinical practice rooms. Equipment was also provided by the Northland District Health Board.

Cathy said: “We use these days as an opportunity for the team to share knowledge, skills and experience as well as for team development. The format for this year’s days came about after talking to the nurses about what they would like to refresh their skills on, liaising with the team at NorthTec staff and sharing their facility and clinical skills. Several of the nurses did their training here at NorthTec, which gives us an important reminder where we all started as nursing students.”

Victoria Munro, NorthTec nursing tutor, said the professional development session was an example of collaboration and integration within the sector.

The training also included a session on providing basic life support and using defibrillators, facilitated by St John Ambulance staff, and sessions led by one of North Haven Hospice’s doctors, its Educator, Quality and Safety Manager and Volunteer Services Manager.

Rob Bowker, a Registered Nurse at the hospice, graduated with a Bachelor in Nursing from NorthTec in 2001. He said: “It’s been really good to come here and get more clinical practice, especially in the procedures that we don’t do frequently.

“It has just been a good refresher, and also linking in with the NorthTec tutors has been really good. It’s been a good exercise and very worthwhile.”