Pegasus Nursing 2020

Pegasus Nursing 2020 has been a celebration of Pegasus Health nurses past and present.

The project has been running for the duration of 2020 and linked in with the International 2020 Year of the Nurse and Midwife and Florence Nightingale 2020 Challenge.

During the year Pegasus Health has profiled nurses either currently working or previously having worked with Pegasus. Their profiles appear on this page. We’ve also shared nursing celebration news from our health system partners.

December – 2020: Reflections from Te Kaitohu Tapuhi (Director of Nursing)

We started 2020 intent on celebrating the role of nurses through the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. The year also marks 200 years of Florence Nightingale’s legacy.

It was a time for thinking about the possibilities for nursing, specifically within nursing education, celebrating our profession and advocating for health equity.

It has turned out to be an extraordinary year that has seen an extraordinary response from the nursing profession. How ironic that during 2020 the profession was faced with one of its biggest challenges in the shape of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

As members of teams of health professionals it was both heartening and a privilege to see the collective action in primary care, as nurses went about dealing with this unprecedented pandemic.

In uncertain times and as part of the team of five million, primary  health care nurses quickly adjusted to the required and rapidly evolving new ways of working. Putting aside their own fears and anxiety, primary health care nurses worked quickly and efficiently in dealing with challenges as they arose. Strong leadership was required and strong leadership was evident.

As the year draws to a close, let’s individually take some time to reflect on our challenges, our achievements, our goals and most importantly on what we need to sustain us for the next twelve months. If you are struggling, you are stressed or you’ve just had enough, please reach out. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from someone you trust or any of the processes that are available to you.

Compounding this extraordinary year are the ongoing negotiations to achieve pay parity for primary health care nurses. At the time of writing negotiations continue, adding to multiple layers of existing stress.

Pegasus is committed to supporting pay parity for our primary health care nurses and continues to do this from a strategic perspective. I remain confident that the recognition of the work primary health care nurses undertake will be reflected in pay parity.

I offer you two simple words with a rich vein of appreciation, recognition and admiration for your efforts over the past year; thank you. I wish you and your whānau a happy and relaxing holiday and festive season.

Ngā mihi

Michael McIlhone

Director of Nursing

Pegasus Health

November – time for a boost for nurses

In November Pegasus Health announced a new suite of nursing support services available to nurses working in Pegasus general practices, the 24-Hour Surgery, Pegasus Health and hosted organisations.

Pegasus Health Director of Nursing, Michael McIlhone says Pegasus has always valued and celebrated the work of primary care nurses and the time is right to provide further funded opportunities. The support will be particularly useful for nurses who are isolated due to location or small workforce.

“We’ll provide more funded professional supervision and counselling sessions. We know that all workplaces have been impacted by COVID-19, and that health professionals are in the frontline of the response. It just makes sense to boost our support of the nursing workforce,” says Michael.

June – Sahra Ahmed

Sahra currently works as RN Refugee Health for Pegasus Health. She arrived in Auckland in August 1990. After spending 18 months in Auckland, Sahra moved to Christchurch where she studied hard and kept herself busy with English classes during the day and baking classes in the evening. She went on to complete a nursing degree and through her husband became involved in working with the Red Cross.

In 2015 Sahra travelled to Sierra Leone where she worked as part of the Ebola response. She is considered a ‘Kiwi Legend’ by the Red Cross – you can read her full story here.

Here is her current nursing story:

May – Amelia Howard-Hill

Amelia is a Nurse Practitioner (NP), and has been working as the Lead NP at the Pegasus Health 24 Hour Surgery since March 2020.  She has 18 years nursing experience, four of which have been as a NP.  Amelia heralds from the Mighty Manawatu, and completed her undergraduate nursing degree through Ucol in Palmerston North.  She has a Master of Nursing (with 1st class honours) and Postgraduate Diplomas in Clinical teaching and Health Service Management (both with Distinction).  Amelia has had a varied career, working in a variety of roles and specialities from staff nurse in an operating theatre, renal nurse specialist, registered nurse first surgical assistant to teaching fellow.  Amelia’s nursing registration has also enabled her to work internationally and perform volunteer work in Nepal and the Philippines.

Amelia has a passion for advanced nursing practice and supporting other nurses to develop into these roles; and is enjoying her role at the 24 Hour Surgery due to the unique opportunity it presents to do exactly that.

This is Amelia’s story:

International Nurses’ Day 12 May 2020

Pegasus Health celebrated International Nurses’ Day by acknowledging  all our nurses for their care and support of our communities.

Traditionally the day marks the anniversary of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale’s birthday. This year the day is extra special due to 2020 being the year of the Nurse and Midwife. Add in COVID-19 and the extraordinary effort all our frontline health staff have been making and there’s never been a better time to show our gratitude.

This specially created poster features Canterbury nurses from Pegasus Health, General practice, 24HS, acute demand and CCN. Just some of the faces working together to care for our communities.

April – Di Bos and Alicia Thackwell

Di was born in Warrington, England to parents who loved to travel. They finally settled in Christchurch where Di completed her schooling. She went on to complete her nursing training at Christchurch Polytechnic in 1989 (now known as Ara) and went to work at Christchurch Hospital in a variety of settings including respiratory, gastro and ED. Di has worked for Pegasus Health for 17 years in a number of roles and teams. She is currently a key member of the Pegasus nursing team and during the COVID-19 pandemic has been in charge of setting up Community Based Assessment Centres (CBAC) in Canterbury for testing the population.

This is Di’s story:

Alicia is a NZ born registered nurse, who graduated from Ara in 2013. Alicia then gained a position in the Intensive Care Unit at Christchurch Hospital. She spent seven years in ICU gaining many skills in critical care nursing and undertaking postgraduate study. Alicia started working at Pegasus Health in Christchurch, New Zealand as an acute care nurse at the 24 hour surgery in July 2019.
This role saw her become involved with setting up the Coronavirus testing centres around Canterbury during the pandemic in April 2020 and she holds the Coronavirus portfolio for the 24 hour surgery.

Alicia has a strong passion for nursing education. She is a NZ resuscitation council instructor and works with a wide range of health professionals. She is excited to see how simulation based training advances with constantly improving technology will positively impact resuscitation and team work scenarios. Alicia has a new found interest in public health and plans to undertake further postgraduate education in public health and health management.

This is Alicia’s story:

March – Message of support for Nurses during COVID-19 pandemic

Pegasus Director of Nursing, Michael McIlhone offers a message of support to nurses everywhere during the pandemic

February –Simione Tagicakibau and Karen Carpenter

Simione Tagicakibau became a Fiji Registered Nurse in 2003. He has previously worked in Fiji and the Cook Islands and has 10 years experience in General and Obstetric Nursing. Simi relocated to Christchurch NZ in 2015 and has been working in primary health care as a NZ Registered Enrolled Nurse at Etu Pasifika Clinic and also with Canterbury District Health Board. In July 2019 Simi started at the Ara Institute of Canterbury to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing programme as a full time student. He also works casual jobs across CDHB and Etu Pasifika Clinic and is keen to take the Nurse Practitioner pathway after completing his Bachelor Degree in Nursing. Simi’s goal is to be a valuable asset to the Pasifika Communities in Canterbury.

This is Simione’s story:

Karen Carpenter Nalauwaki Village-Waya/Yasawas FIJI

Karen is a NZ born Fijian/European registered nurse who graduated from Ara (formally CPIT) in 2009. Upon graduation she found employment at Eastcare Health Medical Centre in Aranui Christchurch as a practice nurse.

Karen has many roles as a nurse from forensic (sexual assault) to acute care, and holds other positions at Pegasus Health in small group education and leadership roles. In 2015 Karen won the Pegasus Health Award for community leadership for organising and executing the withdraw of an application for a liquor license in the suburb of Aranui. She accomplished this with the help of various community/health/local and central government agencies. Karen’s plans for the future include researching traditional medicines/beliefs and how it influences health in western society.

Nursing Workforce Development Scholarships

20 February 2020

Applications are now open for Pegasus Health Workforce Development Scholarships from health students from Māori, Pacific and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Applicants need to be working towards medicine, nursing or allied health degrees, with the aim of enhancing the cultural and linguistic richness of the health sector.

Applications are available from Ara Institute of Canterbury, University of Canterbury or from Pegasus Health directly.

More information and opportunity to apply on our webpage.

Applications close 5pm Friday 3 April 2020.

Pegasus Health celebrates new NetP nurse graduates

On Tuesday 11 February  Pegasus held a mihi (celebration) for five new nurse graduates in the Nursing Entry to Practice Programme (NetP) and thanked last year’s NetP nurses for their efforts.

Each new nurse received a kete  containing a notebook and pen representing the tools a nurse needs on their first day.

We welcomed Shontelle Prasad, Sarah Morley, Henrietta Ashmore-Price, Katie Harris and Deidre Callaghan who will be working with a range of health partners.

 

 

The mihi also acknowledged the wonderful mahi (work) that has been done in the last year by previous NetP nurses. Suli Tuitaupe, Chloe Teague and Vicki McIver were presented with beautifully made wooden boxes by Irihāpeti Mahuika, Pegasus Director of Hauroa and Ōritetanga. Carol Melek and Hayley Lotter were unable to attend the event but will receive their boxes soon. Each box with a stethoscope and a tourniquet reflecting the tools a nurse will use throughout their career.

At the event, Director of Nursing, Michael McIlhone explained how Pegasus Health is very supportive and open to any initiatives for advancing nursing practice and also developing a workforce that reflects the needs of the community.

Watch a 10min video of the event below:

January – Ramai Lord and Hayley Lotter

Ramai Lord (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāi Tahu, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Porou) is currently a Clinical Senior Advisor, in the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Ministry of Health. She registered as a nurse in 1981 and has had a nursing career spanning 39 years. Ramai started working with Pegasus Health in 2010 as Clinical Co-ordinator for a Māori Diabetes programme. Following the February earthquake in 2011 and staff changes Ramai accepted the role of Māori Health Manager. Last year she joined the Ministry. This is Ramai’s story:

Hayley Lotter (Muaūpoko) is a recent new graduate, working as a practice nurse at Eastcare Health in Aranui. She graduated as a registered nurse in 2017 and has worked in both mental health nursing and primary health care. Hayley started working with Pegasus Health in 2019 as part of a NETP pilot programme, the Korimako Initiative. This role saw her working in both general practice and for a kaupapa Māori NGO as a mobile community nurse. During her NETP year Hayley was selected to attend the World Health Assembly as a Nursing Now young nurse ambassador, which has opened many doors to new and exciting opportunities. This is Hayley’s story:

The Canterbury District Health Board is also taking 2020 as an opportunity to celebrate the work of nurses. Check out their Nursing in Christchurch video here.

 

 

Pegasus Nursing 2020 is a celebration of Pegasus Health nurses past and present.

The project will run for  the duration of 2020 and link in with the International 2020 Year of the Nurse and Midwife, Nursing Now project and Florence Nightingale 2020 Challenge.

During the year Pegasus Health will profile nurses either currently working or previously having worked with Pegasus. Their profiles will appear on this page. We’ll also share nursing celebration news from our health system partners.

 

June – Sahra Ahmed

Sahra currently works as RN Refugee Health for Pegasus Health. She arrived in Auckland in August 1990. After spending 18 months in Auckland, Sahra moved to Christchurch where she studied hard and kept herself busy with English classes during the day and baking classes in the evening. She went on to complete a nursing degree and through her husband became involved in working with the Red Cross.

In 2015 Sahra travelled to Sierra Leone where she worked as part of the Ebola response. She is considered a ‘Kiwi Legend’ by the Red Cross – you can read her full story here.

Here is her current nursing story:

May – Amelia Howard-Hill

Amelia is a Nurse Practitioner (NP), and has been working as the Lead NP at the Pegasus Health 24 Hour Surgery since March 2020.  She has 18 years nursing experience, four of which have been as a NP.  Amelia heralds from the Mighty Manawatu, and completed her undergraduate nursing degree through Ucol in Palmerston North.  She has a Master of Nursing (with 1st class honours) and Postgraduate Diplomas in Clinical teaching and Health Service Management (both with Distinction).  Amelia has had a varied career, working in a variety of roles and specialities from staff nurse in an operating theatre, renal nurse specialist, registered nurse first surgical assistant to teaching fellow.  Amelia’s nursing registration has also enabled her to work internationally and perform volunteer work in Nepal and the Philippines.

Amelia has a passion for advanced nursing practice and supporting other nurses to develop into these roles; and is enjoying her role at the 24 Hour Surgery due to the unique opportunity it presents to do exactly that.

This is Amelia’s story:

International Nurses’ Day 12 May 2020

Pegasus Health celebrated International Nurses’ Day by acknowledging  all our nurses for their care and support of our communities.

Traditionally the day marks the anniversary of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale’s birthday. This year the day is extra special due to 2020 being the year of the Nurse and Midwife. Add in COVID-19 and the extraordinary effort all our frontline health staff have been making and there’s never been a better time to show our gratitude.

This specially created poster features Canterbury nurses from Pegasus Health, General practice, 24HS, acute demand and CCN. Just some of the faces working together to care for our communities.

April – Di Bos and Alicia Thackwell

Di was born in Warrington, England to parents who loved to travel. They finally settled in Christchurch where Di completed her schooling. She went on to complete her nursing training at Christchurch Polytechnic in 1989 (now known as Ara) and went to work at Christchurch Hospital in a variety of settings including respiratory, gastro and ED. Di has worked for Pegasus Health for 17 years in a number of roles and teams. She is currently a key member of the Pegasus nursing team and during the COVID-19 pandemic has been in charge of setting up Community Based Assessment Centres (CBAC) in Canterbury for testing the population.

This is Di’s story:

Alicia is a NZ born registered nurse, who graduated from Ara in 2013. Alicia then gained a position in the Intensive Care Unit at Christchurch Hospital. She spent seven years in ICU gaining many skills in critical care nursing and undertaking postgraduate study. Alicia started working at Pegasus Health in Christchurch, New Zealand as an acute care nurse at the 24 hour surgery in July 2019.
This role saw her become involved with setting up the Coronavirus testing centres around Canterbury during the pandemic in April 2020 and she holds the Coronavirus portfolio for the 24 hour surgery.

Alicia has a strong passion for nursing education. She is a NZ resuscitation council instructor and works with a wide range of health professionals. She is excited to see how simulation based training advances with constantly improving technology will positively impact resuscitation and team work scenarios. Alicia has a new found interest in public health and plans to undertake further postgraduate education in public health and health management.

This is Alicia’s story:

March – Message of support for Nurses during COVID-19 pandemic

Pegasus Director of Nursing, Michael McIlhone offers a message of support to nurses everywhere during the pandemic

February –Simione Tagicakibau and Karen Carpenter

Simione Tagicakibau became a Fiji Registered Nurse in 2003. He has previously worked in Fiji and the Cook Islands and has 10 years experience in General and Obstetric Nursing. Simi relocated to Christchurch NZ in 2015 and has been working in primary health care as a NZ Registered Enrolled Nurse at Etu Pasifika Clinic and also with Canterbury District Health Board. In July 2019 Simi started at the Ara Institute of Canterbury to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing programme as a full time student. He also works casual jobs across CDHB and Etu Pasifika Clinic and is keen to take the Nurse Practitioner pathway after completing his Bachelor Degree in Nursing. Simi’s goal is to be a valuable asset to the Pasifika Communities in Canterbury.

This is Simione’s story:

Karen Carpenter Nalauwaki Village-Waya/Yasawas FIJI

Karen is a NZ born Fijian/European registered nurse who graduated from Ara (formally CPIT) in 2009. Upon graduation she found employment at Eastcare Health Medical Centre in Aranui Christchurch as a practice nurse.

Karen has many roles as a nurse from forensic (sexual assault) to acute care, and holds other positions at Pegasus Health in small group education and leadership roles. In 2015 Karen won the Pegasus Health Award for community leadership for organising and executing the withdraw of an application for a liquor license in the suburb of Aranui. She accomplished this with the help of various community/health/local and central government agencies. Karen’s plans for the future include researching traditional medicines/beliefs and how it influences health in western society.

Nursing Workforce Development Scholarships

20 February 2020

Applications are now open for Pegasus Health Workforce Development Scholarships from health students from Māori, Pacific and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Applicants need to be working towards medicine, nursing or allied health degrees, with the aim of enhancing the cultural and linguistic richness of the health sector.

Applications are available from Ara Institute of Canterbury, University of Canterbury or from Pegasus Health directly.

More information and opportunity to apply on our webpage.

Applications close 5pm Friday 3 April 2020.

Pegasus Health celebrates new NetP nurse graduates

On Tuesday 11 February  Pegasus held a mihi (celebration) for five new nurse graduates in the Nursing Entry to Practice Programme (NetP) and thanked last year’s NetP nurses for their efforts.

Each new nurse received a kete  containing a notebook and pen representing the tools a nurse needs on their first day.

We welcomed Shontelle Prasad, Sarah Morley, Henrietta Ashmore-Price, Katie Harris and Deidre Callaghan who will be working with a range of health partners.

 

 

The mihi also acknowledged the wonderful mahi (work) that has been done in the last year by previous NetP nurses. Suli Tuitaupe, Chloe Teague and Vicki McIver were presented with beautifully made wooden boxes by Irihāpeti Mahuika, Pegasus Director of Hauroa and Ōritetanga. Carol Melek and Hayley Lotter were unable to attend the event but will receive their boxes soon. Each box with a stethoscope and a tourniquet reflecting the tools a nurse will use throughout their career.

At the event, Director of Nursing, Michael McIlhone explained how Pegasus Health is very supportive and open to any initiatives for advancing nursing practice and also developing a workforce that reflects the needs of the community.

Watch a 10min video of the event below:

January – Ramai Lord and Hayley Lotter

Ramai Lord (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāi Tahu, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Porou) is currently a Clinical Senior Advisor, in the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Ministry of Health. She registered as a nurse in 1981 and has had a nursing career spanning 39 years. Ramai started working with Pegasus Health in 2010 as Clinical Co-ordinator for a Māori Diabetes programme. Following the February earthquake in 2011 and staff changes Ramai accepted the role of Māori Health Manager. Last year she joined the Ministry. This is Ramai’s story:

Hayley Lotter (Muaūpoko) is a recent new graduate, working as a practice nurse at Eastcare Health in Aranui. She graduated as a registered nurse in 2017 and has worked in both mental health nursing and primary health care. Hayley started working with Pegasus Health in 2019 as part of a NETP pilot programme, the Korimako Initiative. This role saw her working in both general practice and for a kaupapa Māori NGO as a mobile community nurse. During her NETP year Hayley was selected to attend the World Health Assembly as a Nursing Now young nurse ambassador, which has opened many doors to new and exciting opportunities. This is Hayley’s story:

The Canterbury District Health Board is also taking 2020 as an opportunity to celebrate the work of nurses. Check out their Nursing in Christchurch video here.