Celebrating our future nurses

The programme, which is run by the University of Otago, allows learners such as Raksa the chance to work with other healthcare professional students from different disciplines. It is designed to develop an understanding of different perspectives and teaches effective communication through group community projects.  

Raksa and her group received an A+ for their project, where a huge focus of the experience was placed on Māori health.  

“I learned that whānau in Tairawhiti face different challenges when it comes to living well and staying healthy,” says Raksa. “This was due to various determinants of health, including access to technology, transportation, geographical location, socioeconomic status, environmental factors and so forth.” 

Raksa received an email about the IPE placement and, as she loves taking every opportunity she can to learn, made an appointment to find out more about it. 

“I decided to go for it, even though I knew that Year 3 is very full on,” she says.  

“NMIT arranged a timetable for me when I returned on campus to catch up with some one-on-one study, exams and assignments.” 

Raksa has been studying at NMIT since 2020 as an international student from Cambodia. She enrolled in an English Language(external link) programme to obtain the required English test scores needed to study the Bachelor of Nursing(external link).  

“It has been great here because there is so much support from tutors, for learning and general wellbeing support as well,” she says.  

Raksa also enjoys the practical elements of her study, and that often, theoretical study comes after some hands-on learning.  

“This is a very different experience for me because usually you learn theories in lectures and practice after. I always wished that I could do it the other way around, and here I am,” she says. 

“Placement first and theory after is better because you have seen it in real life which helps you to make sense of it all in class.” 

Raksa hopes to join her older sister in Wellington who is already working as an ICU nurse once she graduates or during her final placement.  

“I want to help people and be part of their health journey, specifically in critical care,” Raksa says.  

She currently works in both a rest home as a casual healthcare assistant, providing reassurance and companionship to those there, and as a first aider with a critical care paramedic nurse who owns a private ambulance in Nelson. 

Raksa would like to encourage future nursing students to take every opportunity that is available to them to learn as much as possible.  

“The IPE programme was such a wonderful opportunity because I could see and learn about different health needs in New Zealand. If you’re ever offered to come into this placement, please, take this opportunity!” she says. 

For more information about our nursing programmes, please visit the NMIT website(external link).