Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand

Assisting seniors who live alone to preserve their independence

The growing challenge As healthcare professionals at the frontline of patient care, nurses are witnessing a notable demographic shift in New Zealand. By 2028, the number of adults aged 65 years or older is projected to reach one million, representing a nearly 20 per cent increase from 2022.1 This shift, combined with policies promoting "ageing … Continue reading "Assisting seniors who live alone to preserve their independence"

Emergency nurses call for more security, counselling, after strangulation attempt

Staff at Middlemore Hospital's emergency department (ED) have asked for more security, after a nurse was punched then strangled to unconsciousness by a patient on Monday this week.

‘She bled for our people’ – nurses pay tribute to Dame Tariana Turia

Nurses throughout Aotearoa passionate about achieving better Māori health outcomes are joining with te ao Māori to mourn the loss of Dame Tariana Turia – a former Associate Minister of Health and Whānau Ora Minister.

Internationally-qualified nurses behind 12,000-surge to Australia

The number of nurses leaving to work in Australia has soared to nearly 12,000 in the past year -- a 53 per cent rise, figures from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation agency (Ahpra) show.

Gisborne nurses working with ‘unsafe’ out-of-date staffing levels, call on local MP to intervene

Desperate nurses in Gisborne are calling on their local MP to intervene after running on outdated staffing levels which they say are a huge risk to patient safety.

Rolling nurse strikes reinforce plea for patient safety

Thousands of Te Whatu Ora nurses and kaiāwhina at different locations throughout the country are taking part in rolling strikes, reinforcing their message for more patient safety.

2024 strikes an amazing expression of ‘kotahitanga’

The last of the health strikes for 2024 have ended with one of their negotiators encouraging nurses, midwives and healthcare workers throughout Aotearoa to keep up the "kotahitanga" leading into the new year.

Papers reveal directors of nursing fighting for graduate employment

No pause? Fear, confusion and 'murky waters' as directors of nursing (DONs) say they were not permitted to hire mid-year graduates.

Hospital-supported training for 45 Manawatū kaiāwhina brings better patient care

A group of 45 kaiāwhina at Palmerston North and Horowhenua hospitals has become the region's first cohort to graduate with a level three certificate in health and wellbeing -- and patient care has hugely improved as a result.

Health workforce plan to grow-our-own ‘hollow’, says NZNO

Te Whatu Ora's plan to train more local health workers is a hollow promise given how few graduates it has employed, says NZNO -- Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku.

Nationwide strike: ‘It’s not right’ – patients speak up

"Our hospitals aren't safe - I've seen it. We need more nurses and they need to treated better and paid properly."

‘It’s cruel’ — just one in seven new enrolled nurse graduates get Te Whatu Ora jobs

A week after turning away hundreds of RN graduates, Te Whatu Ora confirms it has only offered 15 end-of-year EN graduates a job.

Hundreds of nursing graduates miss out on Te Whatu Ora jobs

Te Whatu Ora is being accused of failing in its most basic duty -- protecting the future nursing workforce of New Zealand.

Minister of Health announces $10 million for 75 senior specialist nurses

Sceptical nurses are cautiously welcoming a $10 million investment in 75 senior and specialist nurses to plug gaps in mental health, rural health, maternity and critical care -- but say it is a drop in the bucket.

‘Some of my friends have died waiting for this payment’ — holiday backpay bittersweet after years of fighting

For long-time Hawke's Bay health-care assistant and NZNO delegate Cath Hellyer, last week's announcement that -- after 14 years -- Te Whatu Ora had finally paid out $15.2 million in holiday pay owed to staff was bittersweet.

‘I’m gonna rip your head from your body’ — ED nurse tells of constant aggression

'If you spent a day with me in ED, you'd never come back.' In the wake of a nurse strangulation attempt, a senior emergency nurse says staff are exposed to abuse and aggression most days.

Auckland patient speaks out in support of nurses and kaiāwhina on strike

A dad-of-three is moved to write from his hospital bed in support of nurses and kaiāwhina as they strike this month.

‘It can be lonely’ — NZNO nursing leadership section wants to support all senior nurses

In the first of a new monthly viewpoint from NZNO colleges and sections, Kaitiaki talks to the nursing leadership section.

Primary health ‘ready to tip like jenga’, says nurse vaccinator

An experienced Christchurch practice nurse warns primary health is in a precarious state.

Safe staffing and stronger community health care — returning president and vice-president share their aims

In the first of two leadership profiles, Kaitiaki talks to returning NZNO president Anne Daniels and vice-president Nano Tunnicliff about their priorities.

Demystifying the cardio-protective diet — a tool for nurses

Masses of conflicting information about diet can flummox nurses giving advice to cardiac and diabetes patients. This article summarises the best quality evidence for a cardio-protective diet, and also presents a concise tool for nurses to use for education purposes.

‘It is gaslighting’ — nurses refute Levy’s claims hospitals are fully staffed

Te Whatu Ora says it's fully staffed with nurses and kaiāwhina -- yet it won't reveal how many shifts were below safe staffing targets in 2024.

A report from the nursing frontline in Rwanda and Ukraine

Nursing has taken Andrew Cameron all over the world on humanitarian missions. He reports here on his latest work in Rwanda and Ukraine.

It’s cool to kōrero — Nov 2024

Mangu -- black

The hidden lens: Uncovering pathology through a nurse’s intuition

This case highlights the critical role of intuition and expertise in patient care, particularly within community and midwifery settings, where these professionals build relationships with patients over time.

Youth with type 2 diabetes: Screening, complications and management

Type 2 diabetes is getting more and more common among young people, but the condition is challenging for them to manage, and for whānau and health professionals supporting them.

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DECEMBER 2024 crossword

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Compassionate and culturally-competent nurse sought for Gold Coast whānau

We are a loving and dedicated Māori/ Polynesian family seeking a compassionate and skilled registered nurse or enrolled nurse to join our team in providing exceptional care for our child who sustained an acquired brain injury (ABI) at birth.

A nurse explains why she’ll never return to mental health nursing in NZ

It's the year 2014 and my husband and I are about to leave New Zealand and move to Sweden.

Māori and Pacific Island workforce take the hit at Health NZ

Māori and Pacific Island workforce are taking the hit as Health NZ restructures one of its arms -- National Public Health Service (NPHS) -- disestablishing essential roles in public health services.

No more Australian job advertisements in Kaitiaki

At a time that our nursing graduates here in Aotearoa are struggling to find work and our biggest health employer Te Whatu Ora says it cannot afford any more nurses, we are facing an unprecedented risk to our nursing workforce which could impact our ability to care safely for patients for years to come.

In their words: Nursing graduates lament

Nursing graduates share their self-doubt, fears and dashed hopes after finding out this week hundreds had missed out on Te Whatu Ora roles. Most preferred not to be named so not to jeopardise future job prospects.