Ex-president Marion Guy is to step back into the NZNO presidency after winning a three-way race for the role that included current president Nano Tunnicliff.
Under the organisation’s new constitution, Guy, a Tauranga-based practice nurse, will be joined in the leadership of NZNO by Hawke’s Bay primary health care nurse manager, Kerri Nuku, who was appointed NZNO’s kaiwhakahaere at the annual general hui of Te Runanga o Aotearoa NZNO last year.
The pair will step into their full-time paid co-leadership roles next month after hiccups with the constitution – which included both Guy and Tunnicliff’s nominations being initially declined for not meeting the criteria – saw the presidential election process delayed.
Guy said promoting nurses’ professional aspirations and ensuring nurses’ voices were heard in every national health forum were two of her priorities. She also wanted more focus on the positive aspects of nursing.
“Fair pay and good working conditions are essential for the profession and for patient care, and we must always work towards improving conditions. We must also focus our attention on our professional role and ensuring that is understood and respected.”
She said the key to that was building strong relationships with the Ministry of Health, the Minister of Health, and with other health professionals.
“We must also remember why we became nurses and use the skills we have learnt through nursing, through postgraduate education, and evidence-based practice in the best possible way,” she said. “Within NZNO there is a vast amount of specialist nursing expertise, and I want that expertise used to promote the profession and the organisation.”
A culture change to eradicate bullying, particularly of student nurses, and improved pay and education opportunities for aged care staff were also priorities. She also called for grassroots nursing input into the development of any national nursing workforce plan.
Guy last served as president of NZNO from 2005–2009 and has been the Western Pacific representative on the International Council of Nurses since 2009. She also sits on the National Health Board, the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, and the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisations.
