Child health passion sees Pacific nurse jointly awarded Young Nurse of the Year

Annie Stevenson was nominated not once but twice for Young Nurse of the Year for her work making a difference to children she cares for at Kidz First Children’s Hospital.

Kidz First Children’s Hospital paediatric medical ward nurse Annie Stevenson was announced last night as joint winner of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation award, alongside Aroha Ruha-Hiraka, at the annual NZNO Young Nurse of the Year awards dinner.

It was only the second time in the award’s five-year history that it has been given to two participants, because the judging panel found both nominees equally impressive

Annie, of Niuean descent, was nominated first for her work on a number of Kidz First projects at Middlemore Hospital, including Lungs 4 Life, which seeks to reduce bronchiectasis among Māori and Pacific children. Her second nomination was in recognition of her passion for child protection and work around intimate partner violence and shaken baby prevention.

NZNO president Grant Brookes said at the awards that Annie was outstanding role model to all young nurses, but especially young Pacific nurses.

“Annie is impressive for her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. She has had a real impact on the lives of infants in the Counties Manukau community and in the island nation of Kiribati where she has worked as a volunteer.”

Runner-up for the award this year was Te Rongopai Clay-Mackay, a young Plunket Nurse working in Porirua, who was also acknowledged for her work towards improving health for Māori. She is the first Plunket nurse to deliver both Well Child and B4 School programmes in Te Reo Māori and stood out for being “a vibrant, committed and caring young nurse who has demonstrated an incredible amount of maturity and professionalism in her work”.

The 2018 Award winners and runner up were chosen from 14 nominations. The judging panel consisted of representatives from all District Health Boards, The Office of the Chief Nurse (Ministry of Health), the NZNO President, Kaiwhakahaere and nursing staff, and last year’s winner Jess Tiplady.