Central North Island nurses from will convene in Hamilton tomorrow for the annual New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO)
Midlands/Bay of Plenty/Tairāwhiti Regional Convention. The theme for the day-long event will be "Nurses a Voice to Lead
- Health for All" which is also this year’s theme for International Nurses Day (12 May).
The day will start with karakia and waiata and is specifically for NZNO delegates and other members. NZNO staff will
also share their knowledge and experience across a range of nursing-related topics.
Presentations will include a panel and audience discussion where nurses will describe their experience of networking,
both positive and negative.
Leonie Metcalfe, an enrolled nurse at Waikato Hospital and winner on an NZNO Services to Nursing Award in 2018, will
talk about networking among enrolled nurses. Putaruru Private Health Care Nurse Tracey Morgan will describe networking
from a practice nurse perspective.
NZNO Chief Executive Memo Musa, President Grant Brookes and Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku will also attend and will speak and
answer questions on current issues faced within nursing and by NZNO.
"Regional Conventions are valuable opportunities for nurses to learn and to share about the work they are doing and to
celebrate the contribution the nursing profession makes to improving access to health care," Grant Brookes said.
‘When nurses are equipped and empowered they have the voice to lead, to contribute and to help transform the health
system. That results in improved health for all New Zealanders, including those in the central regions."
Midlands Regional Council Chair and Waikato District Nurse Diane Dixon said she hopes those attending will leave with
some fresh ideas on how networking can benefit them and their patients.
"I am hoping the discussions will enable people to see how networking can be used to extend their knowledge, and
possibly their satisfaction in their work. Ultimately this will improve delivery of care," she said
NZNO’s Regional Conventions are held in nine regions across New Zealand each year, organised and run by NZNO’s nine
Regional Councils: Southern; Canterbury/West Coast; Top of the South; Greater Wellington; Central; Hawke’s Bay;
Midlands; Greater Auckland; and Te Tai Tokerau.
The Midlands/Bay of Plenty/Tairāwhiti Convention will be held at the Hamilton Airport Conference Centre and will start
at 9am.
ENDS