I te taha o toku mama
Ko Whetumatarau me Maungakaka me Patangata oku Maunga
Ko Awatere me Orutua me Wharekahika me Waikohu oku Awa
Ko Horouta toku Waka
Ko Hinerupe me Matahi o te Tau me Hinemaurea oku Marae
Ko Te whanau a Hinerupe me te Whanau a Tuwhakiriora me te Whanau a Hunaara oku Hapu
Ko Ngati Porou toku Iwi
No te Tairawhiti oku tipuna
Ko Karyn White toku ingoa (aka KJ)
Karyn White (nee Jamieson), also known as KJ, is beyond excited about her new role as Duty Nurse Manager at Hauora Tairāwhiti.
KJ has worked as a nurse in the Emergency Department for the last 12 years. Her nursing journey has not been without struggle or sacrifice. She would like to share her story to inspire others to follow a career in nursing, "as you should never let self-doubt get in the way of achieving your goals."
During high school, it was never KJ's intention to become a nurse. Instead, her interests were joining the army, training as a police officer, or becoming a PE teacher. These aspirations were sadly crushed as she badly hurt her knee playing rugby.
Years later, KJ and her partner moved to Dunedin, where she enrolled to study teaching at Otago University; however, during the 1st semester, KJ discovered she was pregnant.
The thought of being pregnant and living in a new town with no family support was enough for her to return to Gisborne. Once settled, KJ found employment with Tairāwhiti District Health as the Telephonist and Admission Clerk.
During the night shifts, KJ would work closely with the nurses in the Emergency Department. One of the Māori nurses, June Taingahau suggested for her to study nursing and even directed her to the UCOL webpage.
KJ wasn't convinced that she would make a good nurse, being eight months pregnant with her second child. She had a three-year-old toddler and felt like she wasn't clever enough to study nursing.
After further discussions and encouragement from June, KJ finally plucked up the courage and applied at EIT to become part of the UCOL nursing programme.
With an eight week baby in tow, her nursing journey had begun.
The first year of study was chaotic and certainly an eye-opener, having to juggle her children's needs and learn how to study as an adult. Thanks to her strong support networks, she managed to survive her first year as a nursing student.
Unfortunately, the second year of nursing did not start well, as the relationship with her partner ended. She was now a single mum with two children and needed to find a home. Feeling stressed, KJ thought about quitting, but thanks to her resilient attitude and help from her friends and family, she continued with her studies.
By the third year, KJ had adjusted to study life, created close bonds with her peers, and was part of a supportive study group. She then started a 7-week transition to practice placement in the Emergency Department at Hauora Tairāwhiti as part of the nursing programme at EIT.
KJ was immediately hooked on the adrenalin rush of working in the Emergency Department and decided to complete her new graduate year here. Wowed by her enthusiasm, determination, and hard work, she was offered a full-time job, where she has remained for the past 12 years.
"The beauty about nursing is the opportunities and different avenues you can embrace," says KJ. Ready for a new challenge, KJ recently applied for the role of Duty Nurse Manager in the Emergency Department. Her application was successful.
Alongside her permanent position as a Duty Nurse Manager, KJ also works as a casual Registered Nurse for Flight, Emergency, Day of Surgery Unit and ICU. Despite her busy work schedule, she is also studying Master's in Nursing Health Science at EIT. Her focus is Māori Leadership in Nursing with the aim of Growing Māori Leadership Roles within Hauora Tairāwhiti. She’s on track to graduate in November this year.
KJ is proud to say that she is the first one in her family to study and the first one to get a degree. She has inspired her family to embrace higher learning. Her sister is a lawyer, and her brother is currently in the second year of his law degree. KJ is also working on her younger sister, who is thinking about studying nursing or midwifery.
“What I’d say to anyone thinking about studying nursing is to believe in yourself, give it a go, and don't give up.
“Once your studies are over, and you’re finally holding that qualification in your hands, your future is bright, and your options are endless."