Nursing Career Now Underway for Unitec Ad Campaign ‘Hero’

Nursing Career Now Underway for Unitec Ad Campaign ‘Hero’

As a star of Unitec’s 2012 documentary-style ‘Change Starts Here’ advertising campaign, Bachelor of Nursing student Netane Takau became the face of every students’ struggle to succeed. Now Netane’s real-life journey through the highs and lows of tertiary study had the perfect ending, as he recently celebrated his graduation with his family and peers.

Netane moved to New Zealand from Tonga especially to study nursing. He says that while his graduation day was ‘overwhelming’, he was overjoyed to share it with his family.

“It feels great to finally get my degree. I’m so happy my parents, brothers, aunty and uncle could share this with me,” says Netane. “My sister came too – that was the best surprise, I didn’t know she was coming out from Tonga!”

Taking part in Unitec’s ‘Change Start Here’ campaign was a life-changing experience for Netane. Being recognised out in public as ‘the guy on those ads’ is something he’s still getting used to, but it may have helped kickstart his nursing career.

“I applied for nursing jobs as soon as my studies finished. I got an interview at St Margaret’s private hospital in Te Atatu. They recognised me straight away!” he says.

“They told me later that they liked the qualities they saw in me both on the ads and in person. I got the job, and I’ve been working at St Margaret’s for three months now. I love it.”

Netane’s aunt, Helen Swan, is also a qualified nurse. Helen featured in Episode 3 of Unitec’s ‘Change Starts Here’ with Netane, where he anxiously awaits the results of a paper he’d previously failed. She encouraged Netane to break through cultural barriers to pursue a career in nursing, taking him under her wing to live and study in New Zealand.

“He’s a smart boy, and the youngest in the family. We want Netane to succeed in life so we’ve supported him every step of the way,” says Helen. “Every sacrifice we’ve made has been worth it – we’re so proud of what he has achieved.”

Now Netane is relishing the chance to carve out his own nursing career. He believes the knowledge and skills he gained throughout his studies are serving him well.

“What’s really cool is that I get to be more independent, and apply what I’ve learned every single day on the job,” he says.
The Netane we came to know through ‘Change Starts Here’ has transformed into a qualified, registered and gainfully employed nurse. However his genuine care for people and love of family remain unchanged and are valuable qualities he brings to the role.

“What I love most in my job is meeting the families of our patients,” says Netane. “I learn so much more about each patient by taking time to connect with their families.

“Anything that helps me provide the best possible care to each patient is worth making time for – or at least, that’s what I think.”

ENDS

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