
NorthTec nurses prepared and ready to fight COVID19 if required.
Northland District Health Board (DHB) and NorthTec staff are working closely together to develop a potential workforce for Northland which incorporates nursing tutors and students to support the healthcare frontline, if required.
NorthTec Bachelor of Nursing Coordinator, Jeanette Briscoe, says several tutors are ready to work in hospitals and in the community to help with patient care if healthcare services in Northland become overwhelmed.
“We really want to support our clinical colleagues during this incredibly tough time. Ultimately, all of us came into the nursing profession to care for people in need,” says Jeanette. “I have been liaising with the Northland DHB Director of Nursing around their emergency planning, organised access to online DHB orientation courses for NorthTec staff to work through, and we have all completed health screening. This means that if the situation deteriorates in Northland, we are prepared to help on the frontline.”
Many third-year nursing students have had their clinical placements cancelled and put on hold while New Zealand is at pandemic Alert Level 4. However, many students still want to help, says Jeanette. “Our students are putting their names forward to be Health Care Assistants for the Northland DHB, to support the call for more staff in the event that the situation in Northland worsens.”
Nursing tutor, Michael McGivern, is one of those who has put his hand up to help if needed. He says that it was important to remember that firstly he is a nurse and have an obligation to assist people when they are unwell.
“During this pandemic, those people who are affected require a high level of support, guidance and direct nursing care. Nurses are trained to provide a high level of holistic care and to address people’s needs regardless of the nature of the problem. It is essential that nurses and other members of the healthcare teams pull together and support each other in order to safely get through this difficult time.”
Kathleen Burson became a NorthTec nursing tutor only five weeks ago, she says, “Working at Northland DHB is like being part of one big nursing family and if the need arose that is where I would want to be, supporting my nursing family to care for the people of Northland.”
Dr Bev Mackay, Nursing Pathway Manager, says this pandemic coincides with the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, which highlights the importance of the nursing and the healthcare profession during this time.
She says: “Worldwide, nurses are showing resilience and sacrifice while helping to fight COVID-19 at the frontline of the pandemic. This is the significance of choosing nursing as a career option, you can really make a difference in times like this. This is why our nursing tutors and students have chosen their career path – to help those in need. We are proud of our students and tutors who are prepared and ready to fight COVID-19 together, if required


Poll: Is your nearest emergency department up to scratch?
Concerns have been raised about Nelson Hospital with complaints of lack of staffing and excessive wait times. Do you have confidence in your local emergency department?

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36.1% Yes, it serves us well
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63.1% No, I have concerns
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0.8% Other - I'll share below

🕵️♂️ Detective Mode ON! Can You Crack These Riddles? 🔍
Two people are born at the same moment, but they don't have the same birthday, how?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.


Reminder: Tomorrow is our national walk-in adoption day with 50% off adoption fees
That’s right – if you’re ready to adopt, you can swing by your nearest SPCA Centre tomorrow (Saturday 5 April) to meet the animals without an appointment ?
It’s our goal to Clear the Shelters, so we’re offering 50% off all adoption fees until Sunday 13 April. With 1,100 animals currently available for adoption across the country, we’d love for you to come along tomorrow and meet those waiting. ?
You can also head over to our website to check out their profiles, and register your interest early if there’s a particular cutie who catches your eye – this will speed things up on the day.
To keep the experience as calm and positive as possible for our animals and staff, we kindly ask that only those seriously considering adoption attend.
See you tomorrow!
