Nurse masters nursing
Taranaki’s Jenny Kissick has wanted to be a nurse for as long as she could remember. Kissick has lived her dream in more ways than one, but took it to the highest level to become a qualified ‘‘expert’’ nurse.
Slowing down was not an option for the grandmother, who recently achieved her clinical focused master’s degree in nursing to become one of only a handful of nurse practitioners in Taranaki.
In her new role she can diagnose a patient, order and interpret test results, prescribe medication within her specific area of practice, refer and provide follow-up care.
She said the extra study and advanced training was a real test of her self-discipline, but her selfprescribed advice ‘‘if you have the drive to do it, do it’’ with the support of her family and friends helped get
‘‘You want to provide the best care.’’
Jenny Kissick
her through.
During her colourful career in caring for people in the region, she has spent more than a decade in South Taranaki as a district nurse, rest home nurse manager and practice nurse.
For the past four years she had worked at Tui Ora Family Health in New Plymouth.
The ‘‘expert’’ nurse was excited by her newly earned title that enabled her to work autonomously, and in collaboration with healthcare professionals at Tui Ora.
Kissick said Tui Ora was also unique in offering extra support, which could include using its outreach practice nurse or other community team members.
She described it as the ability to offer the whole package of care by providing a more holistic and complete service for patients.
‘‘Knowing the patient is getting supported in the community for their other needs fits with why I’m a nurse.
‘‘You want to provide the best care, support and preventive care and you can do that here.’’
Robyn Walker had worked alongside Kissick for three years. She said it was a great achievement for her workmate.
‘‘Jenny’s such a hard worker, she’s usually the first one in and the last one to leave. She’s all about her family and work.’’
The pair’s workplace on Maratahu St has undergone a large renovation of its premises and an official opening is set for February 16.
Tui Ora is recruiting for more GPs with hopes of taking on new patients in the near future.