Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
2 days ago
EIT Bachelor of Nursing student Kya Joe has been awarded the Evolution Healthcare Perioperative Practitioner Scholarship.
The 22 year old (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, and Ngāti Whakaue), who is in her second year of study, says she is “truly grateful”.
“I feel like it reflects the work I’ve put in over the past year and a half, and knowing I’ll have a role when I finish my degree takes away so much pressure. I can see the path ahead of me more clearly now.”
Kya was the sole recipient of the Perioperative Practitioner Scholarship, one of five awarded this year by the organisation, which operates Royston Hospital in Hastings and Bowen and Wakefield Hospitals in Wellington. The scholarship covers her second year of study and guarantees a place in its New Entry to Practice programme once she graduates and passes her state exam.
Born and raised in Puketapu, Kya attended Sacred Heart College in Napier before completing a Bachelor of Communication at Massey University in Wellington. After spending six months in Australia last year, she returned home to Hawke’s Bay and decided to change direction.
Her decision to pursue nursing was shaped by her grandparents’ health journeys and the inequities they faced as Māori patients. “I watched two of my grandfathers go through illness, and while they had kind nurses and good support, I also saw the inequities Māori face in the healthcare system. That inspired me to be part of making things better.”
When she enrolled at EIT Hawke’s Bay, Kya says she quickly knew she had made the right decision. “As soon as I started the Bachelor of Nursing, I loved it.”
“For me, the most rewarding part of the degree has been going out on practicum and meeting different nurses from all walks of life. You learn the theory in class but applying it in real life and seeing how nurses work has been my favourite part.”
She says the support from her lecturers and classmates has been invaluable. “My lecturers have been amazing, and my cohort has been the biggest support. We’re such a close group and I can’t wait to see all of us graduate together.”
Kya initially thought she might go into paediatrics but says her placements on the surgical ward shifted her focus. “I was so inspired by the scrub nurses, getting a glimpse of what they did when they came in to do handovers. Seeing how my grandfather was cared for after surgeries made me feel like it was a sign, and that’s when I knew perioperative nursing was where I wanted to be.”
Her whānau, including her three younger sisters, are incredibly proud of her achievement. “This is really different for my family. We don’t have many nurses. Lots are teachers or in trades. So, they’re really proud to see me take this path and to know how hard I’ve worked.”
Kya hopes her journey will inspire others considering nursing. “It’s such a rewarding career. Honestly, it’s the best decision I could have made.”
She recommends EIT to other students “because of the strong sense of community and the incredible support from both lecturers and classmates”. “It’s a place where you feel encouraged, challenged, and truly prepared for your future career.”
Katie Rongonui, Assistant Head of School, School of Nursing, said they are very proud of Kya Joe.
“She consistently demonstrates resilience and motivation to achieve her goal in becoming a registered nurse. She is well-deserved of this scholarship and is a true role model and inspiration for students and others considering a profession in nursing. We are proud of Kya Joe’s achievement and wish her the very best for her career.”