Rebecca currently works as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Auckland Hospital.

She holds a Bachelor of Nursing.

1. When you were 7 years old you wanted to be... a Nurse!

2. Name of the educational institution(s) you graduated from
2005 with a Bachelor of Nursing

3. Why did you choose your major(s) or specialisation?
Nursing - pretty straight forward!!

4. How did you find your first job?
There were plenty of new graduate positions available which were advertised at the university. Of course there is a huge need for nurses so finding work wasn't too difficult. Hospitals have a limited number of spaces for new graduates however, so it is competitive and some class mates did miss out on their preferred choice of placement.

5. Describe the interview process you went through to obtain your first position after graduating
After sending in my CV and transcript, I was interviewed by the staff recruiter and charge nurse of the ward to which I applied.

6. What training was made available to you by your employer in your first role?
A lot of very appropriate support in the new graduate year. I was part of a new graduate program at Auckland City Hospital. There were several study days allocated where all new graduate nurses hospital-wide met together to learn skills and go over important policies and protocols. We were all also enrolled in part-time postgraduate papers at university that focussed on introduction to practice and nursing assessment skills.

My first few weeks as a registered nurse were spent under the preceptorship (a buddy system) of a more senior nurse, after which I took my own patient load. It's a bit daunting the first shift alone, with no one double checking your work! But there are always plenty of more senior nurses around that you can ask questions when unsure. It always pays to double check! (it's lives we're dealing with after all!)

7. Describe some of the roles you have held since your graduate level position
I started nursing in a general medical ward, which involved caring for patients with a vast range of medical conditions, acute, chronic, and sometimes terminal. After 10 months I began working in the Admission and Planning Unit which admits patients who have been seen by the GP in the community and need hospital admission for specialist review. 15 months later I moved to the emergency department. It has been a very good transition as it has meant I have gradually improved my assessment and management skills to a point where I feel competent to take on the challenges of the emergency room.

8. Have you found your degree useful in your working career? Why (or why not)?
Absolutely essential, for obvious reasons such as you can't be a registered nurse without a degree! But also in terms of understanding the biology and pathophysiological processes of disease - it's good to know what we're dealing with!

9. What are your plans for the next 5 years?
I started nursing in a general medical ward, which involved caring for patients with a vast range of medical conditions, acute, chronic, and sometimes terminal. After 10 months I began working in the Admission and Planning Unit which admits patients who have been seen by the GP in the community and need hospital admission for specialist review. 15 months later I moved to the emergency department. It has been a very good transition as it has meant I have gradually improved my assessment and management skills to a point where I feel competent to take on the challenges of the emergency room.

10. What advice would you give an upcoming graduate looking to kick off a successful career?
Absolutely essential, for obvious reasons such as you can't be a registered nurse without a degree! But also in terms of understanding the biology and pathophysiological processes of disease - it's good to know what we're dealing with!