Revealing findings in Primary Healthcare Pasifika nurse leadership research
With bated breath, Pauline Fuimaono Sanders-Telfer (Nurse Leader for Alliance Health Plus) waited for her hugely
important thesis result to come out. She had passed. Pauline has received her Master’s degree in Professional Practice
(Leadership) for her research contributing to the growth and development of Pasifika nurse leaders in New Zealand.
“I wanted to look into the reasons why we have so few Pasifika nurses in leadership roles, with a focus in Primary
Healthcare” Pauline says. Pasifika nurses have been identified as a key enabler to positively contribute to Pacific
health outcomes particularly when disparities for Pacific communities are highest. However, there are very few formal
nurse leadership roles in Primary Healthcare and variable but minimal informal nurse leadership development. This is
also impacted on the number of Pasifika nurses which represent less than 3% of the nursing community in NZ.
It wasn’t easy for the Papatoetoe mum of three, who is of Samoan-NZ European heritage. “The past eighteen months was
quite intense with studying and working full time, keeping the family happy and looking after my husband who has serious
health issues. My successful completion is a reflection of the amazing support of my family and friends”.
Using the Talanoa interview method to conduct her research, Pauline’s key findings from the participant responses
highlighted that the priorities in their life significantly impacted leadership participation. There were also
fundamental differences in understanding how leaders were selected when comparing the Western and Pasifika view coupled
with variable organisational support and a lack of confidence in leadership skills and experience.
Pauline’s research journey also brought to light the lack of literature available that discusses Pasifika leadership in
nursing. “My research was challenging due to minimal literature in my area of focus. This highlighted the need for more
Pacific leadership research in nursing and health in general”.
Pauline goes on to say “As Pasifika people, we can improve the health of our community. We need to be part of the
decision making conversations otherwise, someone who thinks they know our community will do it for us. As Pasifika women
who are healthcare workers, we need to use our expertise and opportunities to provide quality care, at all levels of the
health system, for our community. My journey has started, come and join me”. Pauline endeavours to use her research to
continue supporting the development of Pasifika nurse leadership in NZ.
The research by Pauline was enabled through the collaboration of Alliance Health Plus, the Aniva Pacific Nurse
Leadership Programme , Whitireia NZ and the Ministry of Health.
ends