February 2024 marked the month I began my new career as a new graduate registered nurse (RN).
Leaving Air New Zealand after 15 years as an international cabin crew member was quite a tough pill to swallow, but for many of us, we had to take a dose of redundancy. The airline industry was the hardest hit during the pandemic.
In the spur of the moment, I decided to study nursing; on reflection, I was naïve to think that nursing would be a breeze. It was hard mahi from 2021-2023. In May 2024, as a 50-year-old, I graduated with a bachelor of nursing Pacific from Manukau Institute of Technology.
Suddenly, I was faced with real lives, unpredictable emergencies, and the need to make decisions under intense pressure.
Adjusting to the health-care environment was a significant transition, and the shift from working at 35,000 feet to supporting patients on the ground tested me emotionally, physically and mentally in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
I thought studying was the hard part, but I got a reality check when I started working as an emergency department nurse. The pace was relentless, and every shift brought new challenges that pushed me far beyond the textbooks and simulations of my student days. Suddenly, I was faced with real lives, unpredictable emergencies, and the need to make decisions under intense pressure. The learning curve was steep, and I quickly realised that the transition from student to practising nurse was a whole new ball game.
After enduring three consecutive days of gruelling 12-hour shifts, I realised I needed to adjust my schedule for my own well-being. I switched to working three days of 8-hour shifts and one day of 12 hours, hoping it would make a difference. However, even with this change, I found myself constantly exhausted and noticed that my life outside of work was beginning to unravel. The persistent fatigue made it difficult to maintain relationships and enjoy the activities I once loved.
I was starting to question myself whether I made the right decision, as I had the opportunity to go back to Air New Zealand post-COVID. Doubt crept in during those difficult months, and I often wondered if returning to my familiar career in aviation would have been the easier path. I was starting to dislike the profession, yet, despite the uncertainty, something inside urged me to persevere and keep moving forward in this new chapter.
If we don’t stand together and fight for what is fair for both patients and us nurses, we risk putting our well-being in jeopardy.
It was interesting during and after COVID; for the longest time, the last thing I wanted was to get on a plane. But this year, after accruing annual leave, the travel bug bit again, and I found myself embarking on a five-week trip to Europe. The journey began with two days in Hong Kong, followed by three days exploring Amsterdam, before setting off on a memorable 15-day Rhine and Danube River cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Along the way, we stopped in several charming German cities in the Bavarian region, such as Cologne, Koblenz, Bamberg, and Nuremberg, among others. We then spent two days in Budapest, before flying to Vienna for another two days.
From Vienna we crossed the border to Bratislava for a day trip, we then travelled to Croatia, spending two days in Split and Dubrovnik, soaking in the Adriatic coast. The adventure continued with two days in Rome, followed by a scenic train journey south to Bari for another two days. After returning to Rome, we transited to Catania in Sicily and stayed in the picturesque town of Taormina for two more days, talk about saving the best for last! Taormina was amazing! We headed back to Rome for another two days, then made our way home via Hong Kong. Travel proved to be therapeutic, providing the perfect escape and rejuvenation I needed after such an intense period of change and adaptation in my career.
Nursing profession at a ‘crossroads’
The nursing profession is at a crossroads, and if we don’t stand together and fight for what is fair for both patients and us nurses, we risk putting our well-being in jeopardy. Safe staffing is paramount to improve the quality of patient care and protect us from burnout. The challenges I’ve faced have shown me how critical it is for nurses to advocate for safe working conditions and support systems. Only by working collectively can we ensure that the profession remains sustainable and that both nurses and patients receive the care and respect they deserve.
Looking back, I pat myself on the back for persevering through the toughest periods of self-doubt and exhaustion.
To all the 50-year-olds out there: if you have dreams yet to achieve, remember you are still young enough to chase them. Age is no barrier—your determination and courage can open new doors, no matter where you are in life.