Seeing first hand the impact of illness on their family members inspired the winners of inaugural scholarships for Pacific nurses to enter nursing.
Catherine Latailakepa and Tyla Tariau, both aged 20 from Auckland, each received scholarships covering their course fees, travel costs to and from university lectures and a 15-week work placement, worth a joint $30,000 per annum for three years.
Both students started their nursing degrees this year at the University of Auckland and were awarded the Medibank Community Fund scholarships at Parliament at a Pasifika Medical Association event on May 31.
Latailakepa said she wanted to be a hands-on nurse in primary health care helping to raise awareness of health issues and prevent illness. ““Without this, I don't know how I would pay for my nursing degree,” she said of winning the scholarship.
Tariau said she had wanted to be a nurse ever since her grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. “I have learnt that some of the major health issues affecting our Pacific people are cardiovascular diseases, smoking and diabetes. I have been surrounded with family members who have had one of these illnesses. As a Pacific nurse I would want to improve the health outcomes for our people.”
The scholarship winners work placements at Medibank Health Solutions will include observing registered nurses working for Healthline.
