Healthcare workforce insights during Nurses Wellbeing Month
Supported by NZMA, Nurses' Wellbeing Month (November, 2023) kicked off at Auckland City Hospital with its first wellbeing session.
Students enrolled in a Level 4 Nursing Career Preparation at NZMA actively participated, creating a supportive environment for those aspiring to enter the healthcare field. The session provided a thorough exploration of nursing life, offering insights into both its challenges and rewards.
The engaging event featured a compelling Q&A and an enlightening tour of Auckland City Hospital's cardiology theatre, guided by qualified nurses Kathy, Erika, and Eduardo. Students, attired in surgical gear, delved into surgery spaces, engaging in a dialogue covering daily nursing experiences and strategies for maintaining mental health in this demanding profession.
As a gesture of appreciation, NZMA's specialist cookery and culinary college, The Culinary Collective, generously provided catered food to Auckland City Hospital's nurses. This thoughtful offering, presented by NZMA’s pre-nursing class, set the stage for heartfelt exchanges in the nurses' break room.
Qualified nurses Kathy, Erika, and Eduardo shared their experiences with the students, emphasizing effective communication, coping mechanisms for trauma, and the significance of maintaining physical and mental wellbeing to thrive in the healthcare workforce.
The inquisitive students eagerly inquired about job opportunities, with the nurses portraying a positive outlook for nurses in New Zealand. The shortage of nurses in the country was underscored, with a recruitment nurse emphasizing the urgent need for more domestically trained professionals.
The success of the first Nurses’ Wellbeing Month session left a lasting impression on students, staff, and nurses, underscoring the event’s significance in promoting wellbeing and excellence in the nursing profession. As anticipation builds for the next session, Nurses’ Wellbeing Month emerges as a pivotal initiative, inspiring and supporting future healthcare professionals to address critical workforce shortages across the sector.