From online learning to nursing in Wānaka

Whakamihi | congratulations to graduates Ella Neustroski and Tania Davies, former WellSouth Healthcare Assistants who have upskilled to become registered nurses within their Wānaka practices! Story shared with permission by WellSouth. 

A big congratulations to Ella Neustroski and Tania Davies on becoming Registered Nurses! Ella and Tania took the opportunity to study the University of Canterbury's Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) while employed as Health Care Assistants in Wānaka. 

Kate Norris, Nursing Director for WellSouth PHO, notes that ensuring a sustainable workforce is about more than just support. “It’s about creating realistic and accessible pathways for rural people to enter the profession.”

Kate worked closely with the University of Canterbury to advocate for the women to complete their masters through UC Online’s flexible learning options. The Master of Health Science (Nursing) pathway enables applicants with a previous health related bachelor’s degree to become registered nurses in two years.

Living rurally, they were able to attend intensive onsite study blocks in Christchurch but also, for the first time, complete their clinical placements largely in Central Otago. This meant both could stay and work in Wānaka.

They are now employed as Registered Nurses at their respective practices (Wanaka Medical and Aspiring Medical). This shared commitment to rural health helps rural areas grow their workforce from within, strengthening continuity of care and ensuring sustainable futures for primary care services.

Aspiring Medical Centre has also seen the enrolment of Nicole Wright into the Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) programme this year.

Nicole was encouraged to continue her studies after graduating from WellSouth’s Primary Care Practice Assistant Pilot (PCPA) programme. This pilot was run in partnership with Careerforce, offering an opportunity for HCAs to complete a level 4 qualification and learn clinical skills.

Louise McIntosh, Nurse Educator who led the pilot at WellSouth, says, “For the HCAs that attend the clinical skills days, it not only increases their confidence and skill-set, but it also helps solidify pathways into nursing.

"Upskilling helps our health professionals to work to the top of their scope of practice. Offering this support is vital and allows participants to focus on the ‘why’ alongside the ‘what’." 

As the number of HCAs employed in Primary Health increases, WellSouth will continue to collaborate, support, and advise the growth of our rural workforce from within.

Ka whāngaia, ka tipu, ka puāwai | That which is nurtured will grow, then blossom.