Practical, hands-on experience throughout study

Graduating from the Bachelor of Nursing at SIT will again be just the start of another chapter in JoAnna May’s life.

A life that led her across the world from London to New Zealand in May of 2011.

Two previous visits resulted in Joanna and her husband falling in love with the people, the way of life, the scenery and the country in general.

JoAnna was offered a job in Invercargill, the pair packed up for the adventure of a lifetime, and have never looked back.

‘‘Invercargill has given us a great lifestyle,’’ she says.

‘‘We have time to enjoy our new home as we don’t have long commutes and we aren’t sitting in traffic jams for hours each day.’’

A career as a Human Resource Advisor spanning 17 years and work in social care, education (in the UK) and the District Health Board (DHB), Joanna primarily worked in employee relations.

‘‘Working in HR for the DHB was a real privilege for me; I was working with fantastic teams who are delivering exceptional care to our community.’’

A change was imminent, however, as JoAnna approached her 40th birthday.

‘‘My 40th birthday was a huge a catalyst for seriously thinking about changing career.

‘‘Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed working in Human Resources, there was always a deeper sense of meaning missing, I either made the change whilst I still had the opportunity to have a second highly meaningful career or I parked the idea entirely.

‘‘Having taken the huge leap moving from the UK to New Zealand, I thought well what’s one more life changing event?’’

JoAnna enrolled and was accepted into the Bachelor of Nursing at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT).

A three year course, she says the time has gone by in a flash.

‘‘I still can’t quite believe that I have graduated. ‘‘There were some classes I sat in thinking, why I am learning this, then you get out and meet health consumers and the dots all join up,’’ she says.

She says the huge focus on health science came as bit of a shock; however the great tutors turned, what can be a dry a subject, into fascinating, patient-focused and practical learning experience.

‘‘The range of topics we study is incredibly varied, we study sociology, growth and development, primary health and law and ethics.

‘‘Coming from the UK, the high level of cultural safety education was invaluable for me. Those classes gave me a deeper understanding of New Zealand history, the chronic health disparities we have and the role of the Nurse in bridging this gap.

What JoAnna enjoyed the most about the course, however, was as it progressed spending more and more time out in the clinical settings.

‘‘In year three, I spent nearly four months in the mental health services.

‘‘To spend that much time working alongside knowledgeable mentors who were as committed to my education and training as I am, was invaluable and gave me confidence in my practice and abilities as a new to practice nurse.’’

Some of the biggest lessons she learned through the course didn’t come from being inside the classroom.

They came from meeting some amazing patients, who allowed her to work with them when they were at their most vulnerable.

‘‘They educated me on their illnesses and how they live with them,’’ says JoAnna.

‘‘Maybe it’s because SIT student nurses are so established in Invercargill, but I have never had a patient not want me to work for them because I am student.

‘‘The patients have been incredibly open, supportive and receptive to us.’’

As a new graduate, JoAnna has been fortunate enough to be offered a role as a Registered Nurse on the New Entry to Specialist Practice programme working in Mental Health Services at Southland Hospital.

She is delighted about this as she enjoyed her placements in Mental Health and can’t wait to start this chapter in her new career.

As part of the New Entry to Specialist Practice programme, JoAnna will be undertaking the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (Mental Health Nursing) through Auckland University.

‘‘I am looking forward to continuing my learning and education.’’

‘‘Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed working in Human Resources, there was always a deeper sense of meaning missing, I either made the change whilst I still had the opportunity to have a second highly meaningful career or I parked the idea entirely.’’ - New SIT Bachelor of Nursing graduate, JoAnna May.