
Bidwill Trust Hospital in Timaru is doing its bit to support the next generation of health professionals, with the hospital’s strong reputation attracting healthcare students and graduates from throughout New Zealand to take up training placements.
Says Bidwill’s General Manager Tina Rogers: “We currently have four healthcare students working on site, one of whom is from AUT. This year marks the first time we’ve welcomed students from Auckland for training as anaesthetic technicians; a testament to our staff and facilities.”
Rogers says it’s the generosity and dedication of staff members such as Phillipa McEwan, Bidwill’s Lead Anaesthetic Technician, who enable the hospital to provide valuable opportunities for aspiring health professionals.
“Phillipa is passionate about supporting students who wish to pursue a career in perioperative practice—the specialised care given to patients before, during, and after surgery,” says Rogers.
“She’s also been instrumental in promoting a specialised Bachelor of Health Science degree for operating theatre practitioners, and regularly visits high schools in Timaru to inspire students about careers in the health sector.”
Getting appropriate practical experience in specialised fields, such as perioperative care, can be difficult for students to find, says Head of Department of Perioperative Practice at AUT Megan Richardson.
“Clinical placement is an essential part of the health sciences, giving students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world settings. It enables them to refine hands-on skills, and further develop crucial non-technical skills such as teamwork, situational awareness and critical thinking, which cannot be fully taught in a classroom.”
With a growing need for suitable placements and a limited capacity within hospitals to take on more students, Richardson says partnerships with quality, independent hospitals such as Bidwill are invaluable.
“The experience has been incredibly rewarding for students and AUT often finds that students are eager to return to these supportive regional locations for future placements,” she says.
“AUT is really grateful for the strong relationship we have with Bidwill Trust Hospital, which continues to highlight the value of regional healthcare in shaping future graduates.”
Rogers says three students completing their Bachelor of Nursing at Ara in Timaru, training to be part of the country’s next cohort of Registered Nurses, are currently gaining critical work experience with Bidwill, in wards and operating theatres.
“We have also employed two new graduate Registered Nurses this year, one of which - Tessa Orange - was the inaugural recipient of the Bernadette East Nursing Scholarship.”
The scholarship, created in memory of the late Bernadette East - a senior nurse at Bidwill Trust Hospital for 39 years - provides successful applicants with $3000 toward their third-year studies for a Bachelor of Nursing.
“I was inspired by my mum,” recalls Tessa Orange. “People always tell me how much of an amazing nurse she is. I was always so proud to hear this and wanted to be just like her.”
While Orange was determined to follow in her mother’s footsteps, it wasn’t always an easy journey as it requires students to do up to 40-hours a week practical training as part of their study to get the essential experience.
I was so grateful for the Bernadette East Nursing Scholarship in my final year, it took a lot of financial pressure off me. It felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. It also gave me a boost of confidence and motivation to stick at it during the harder times.”
Ara’s Senior Academic Staff member Gail Foster says its Department of Health Practice and Bidwill Trust Hospital enjoyed a strong working relationship.
“The partnership is longstanding and special in terms of support for our ākonga (students) both in clinical placements and through the Bernadette East Scholarship opportunity.”
“Our South Canterbury Bachelor of Nursing students who complete clinical placements in the hospital come away equipped with real-life experiences, which help them immensely in their journey to become the next generation of health professionals,” Foster says.
“We encourage them to apply for the Bernadette East Scholarship which is another way the Bidwill Trust Hospital supports emerging nurses,” says Foster, who personally remembers Bernadette East warmly.
“Bernadette was a strong supporter of education and true advocate of professionalism. I was lucky to have her as a manager, role model and mentor in my early nursing career,” Foster says.