Practice Nurse Membership
To find out more about nurse membership at Pegasus Health, please watch the video and read through the information below:
What does it mean to be a Member?
Pegasus Health Nurse Membership allows practice nurses to have an individual and collective voice and influence both within the Pegasus Health organisation and the Canterbury Health system. It also provides members with the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of issues effecting primary care and allows nurses to have the ability to contribute to change.
What does this really mean?
In essence it is about being heard, having an influence and belonging.
Membership gives Nurses “a say” and the opportunity to discuss issues that impact practice nursing and influence into the direction of primary care. Just like our GP member colleagues Nurse Members are also given the opportunity to provide a nursing perspective on matters effecting general practice e.g. new models of care.
For those who wish to, there is also the potential to explore leadership and governance opportunities through the Pegasus Health Nurse Membership Board.
“I had never thought that as a nurse I would have the opportunity to sit on a company Board. But here I am and I am really enjoying this opportunity. What I like best about being on the Board is representing practice nurses and being able to actually make a difference and seeing that our side of the story and what this represent is heard.” Jeanette Banks
What does it cost?
There is a cost of $50 which is a shareholding in Pegasus Health Nurse Membership Ltd (PHNML) and is a one off payment. The monies support the activities of the company. The company, as a separate legal entity, needs a modest level of share capital to allow it to earn interest income to meet its expenses.
How was the $50 share value determined?
Nurses consulted considered it important that the amount should be at a level that was not prohibitive yet high enough to have meaning and not seen as a token. $50 equates to payment for two hours work or attendance at two Pegasus education meetings.
If I leave do I get this money back?
Yes – if you resign from your position as a PN working in a Pegasus Health practice you will need to notify the organisation and your share will be purchased back by the company. However if you change your practice location and continue to be employed within a Pegasus Health practice or as a regular reliever in Pegasus member practices, your membership will remain. You will be required to notify us of any change in location of practice or contact details.
I am working as a reliever and not working the required 40 weeks per year, but would still like to become a member. Is this possible?
We are very keen to ensure that all nurses providing nursing services to one or more Pegasus Member Practice(s) have the opportunity to apply for membership. Although the criteria states “providing nursing services for more than 40 weeks per annum”, we are aware that a number of relieving Practice Nurses may not fit into this criteria. However the Membership Committee will review these applications on a case by case basis and encourages you to make application.
How is the information provided on the Application form stored?
This information is used for workforce data, to better meet the needs of both GP and Nurse members. Nurse data is held securely, with restricted access to the membership Coordinator and Nurse leadership within the organisation.
Hear What Some of Our Members Have to Say
“When presented with the information about becoming a Nurse Member I wasn’t really sure it was for me. I decided to call one of the Nurses on the Board to talk about it and then joined up immediately. For me it is about standing alongside our GP colleagues just like we do in the practice and being able to have a collective voice.”Rosie Shakespeare
“I decided to become a Nurse Member after reading an article on the effects nursing leadership has on improving patient care. That really resonated with me and I signed up after that. I like the fact that it allows us to sit at the top leadership level which is a benefit to nurses and our patients in the long run.” Jeanette Hight
“As a PHNML member I was fortunate enough to be sponsored to attend the annual NZ College of Primary Health Care Nurses (NZCPHCN) conference last year. The conference provided me with the opportunity to learn of new projects and network with nursing colleagues from around the country.” Kate Hibbert
Want to know more?
If you would like to know more about nurse membership please do not hesitate to contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you would like to receive an application pack please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
