We have had the pleasure recently of having two NP interns (NPi) at the practice in their final year(s) of study. The theory is that the best way to learn is to teach, I find the best way to learn is from those who are in training. Both nurses come…
Death is such an important time in life’s journey and is shared by so many. Yet the funding to support this often difficult time is abysmal! Just as a comparison: There is funding available before we even enter this world with free maternity care for mums, free post natal care,…
It’s not easy to stand up in front of your peers and share with them something that you are doing and maybe even doing well. The reason that it is not easy is that you risk the chance of being challenged or worse being told you are trying to be…
This figure illustrates my philosophy of nursing – Developed 2004 The koru, ‘tail’ represents the spiral of a of an unwinding moment in time (unfurling of the fern frond) shared by the patient, whanau, community and myself- we are in this together… working through the health related event that caused…
Professional Supervision (PS): For me professional supervision is about sharing experiences and thoughts about difficulties or complex situations with someone who is trained to provide qualified advice on the “how to” work things through, see things differently and aid me in working out the solutions. It is not a winge session,…
We have had undergraduates at the practice over the past four years. These have been 2nd year students from Otago Polytech doing a Health Promotion project based on the Pleasant Point Health Center community. They have produced some amazing work with the product being a tool that we as clinicians…
Funding Streams: We access what funding streams are available for the patients. These include: Under 25 Sexual health, Care Plus (multiple conditions requiring intensive input), Brief Intervention Services (mental health), Diabetes Foot Assessments and Diabetes encounter program (newly diagnosed, re-engagement, initiation of insulin), Palliative care and Free Cervical Smears (>5 yrs…
Team work is the answer to all forms of health care delivery – and at Pleasant Point Health Center we aim to do that by working closely to gain the best from each clinician. Standard practice means 15 minute appointments for myself as lead clinician. Patients are encouraged to make…
The importance of collaborative practice is no more important than when running a NP led general practice! Ideally I’d have one ‘on tap’ in times of need, however that need is very varied and not all day every day, so I’ve had to find innovative ways of working this, to…
My first role as an NP was working as a locum in a very busy town based General practice. This was the first time I had ever worked in an urban practice. This was both daunting and challenging and I appreciated the support of other locums in the practice. Between…