Primary health nurse Erica Donovan, women’s health nurse practitioner Jill Lamb and enrolled nurses (ENs) Michelle Prattley and Debbie Handisides — all from Ōtautahi (Christchurch) — were recognised for their contributions at the NZNO conference dinner last month.
Presenting the awards with NZNO kaiwhakahere Kerri Nuku, president Anne Daniels described Donovan as “eloquent, outspoken and fearless”.
Having recently returned from intensive care to primary health to work as a nurse educator, Donovan had become a passionate advocate for nurses, fronting several NZNO campaigns, Daniels said.
She was a strong leader and passionate advocate for nurses and ensuring te Tiriti o Waitangi was actualised in the health system, Daniels said.
‘She is calm under pressure, always supportive and with an almost permanent smile on her face.’
Advertisement
Donovan — who also chairs NZNO’s Canterbury regional council — was an “outstanding young person, not only dedicated to her profession but proving to be an invaluable leader in the NZNO ranks”.
EN recipient ‘humility personified’
Chair of the enrolled nurses section Michelle Prattley was “humility personified”, Daniels said.
“She is calm under pressure, always supportive and with an almost permanent smile on her face.”
The long-time delegate was a “wealth of knowledge, which she is always willing to share” to support colleagues.
Prattley had also been involved in developing the new EN scope of practice, education standards and competencies as part of the Nursing Council design group — always ensuring NZNO’s Maranga Mai! strategy and te Tiriti were part of the discussion.
Another Christchurch EN, Debbie Handisides — part of the NZNO-Te Whatu Ora bargaining team for the past two rounds — had been empowering others into leadership for almost two decades.
“Mainly due to her, her place of work, Burwood Hospital, has one of the strongest workplace organising committees in Aotearoa.”
Handisides had also regularly fronted to media to highlight the need for safe staffing and patient ratios — including for nationwide NZNO rallies in May.
Women’s health college chair, NP and nurse colposcopist Jill Lamb was also recognised for nearly 40 nears of nursing and her work to extend nurses’ practice in women’s health.
Lamb, who is now training to become a nurse hysteroscopist, was known and respected for her passion as an educator, particularly on cervical screening.
Long-time delegate, regional council representative and member of the mental health nurses’ committee, Jennie Rae, was also recognised with honorary NZNO membership for her contribution to the profession, organisation and support for other nurses.
