Friday, 15 Jan 2021
A chance opportunity five years ago to attend a careers event with a friend opened the door for 21-year-old Katelyn London to become a Registered Nurse.
“My friend wanted to go to a careers lecture about nursing and she didn’t want to go alone, so I went along. While I was there I really enjoyed the talk and thought I could see myself doing that,” says the Rotorua local, who completed her degree at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology with a pinning ceremony on Friday, 15 January.
Katelyn and 14 other nursing classmates will formally graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing on 13 April 2021 at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre.
A student at John Paul College when she attended the careers event, Katelyn (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) made sure she studied what was required to follow a Registered Nurse pathway by adding maths and science subjects to her studies.
Throughout her studies, Katelyn has been supported by Kia Ora Hauora, the national Māori health workforce development programme.
“I registered with Kia Ora Hauora in my final year at high school, so I’ve been lucky to have their support throughout my studies. I wasn’t aware about scholarships or know the process of applying for them. They helped me identify which ones I could apply for, helped me Identify my whakapapa, and supported me in my journey as a student nurse.”
This year Katelyn received the Hauora Māori Health Scholarship (Ministry of Health), Māori Education Trust Bachelor of Nursing Scholarship, and the Florence Nightingale Memorial Award (New Zealand Nurses Organisation).
On 15 February Katelyn will start her working career at Lakes DHB in Rotorua Hospital’s Medical Ward under the Nurse Entry to Practise (NETP) programme. Katelyn wants to make the most of her time in the medical ward, but would also like to work in emergency and surgical departments or an Intensive Care Unit. She also has a longer-term goal of being a nurse practitioner.
We wish you all the best with your career Katelyn!
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