After taking care of her grandad with diabetes at age 11, Emma Warrington knew she wanted to be a nurse.
“I look back at it now and at such a young age I handled such a big responsibility,” she says.
“I was proud of myself and comforted that he was well cared for and I wanted to do that for others.”
Of Muaupoko descent, Emma grew up in Featherston so it was an easy decision for her to enrol in UCOL Wairarapa’s Bachelor of Nursing programme.
She says juggling family and study was made easier with the support of the Learning Services team. “I’m a single mum of two and when I was struggling to balance my studies and home life there was always someone at UCOL I could talk to.”
A highlight of Emma’s time at UCOL was meeting new and likeminded people. “I made a lot of great long term friends who helped me get through my study and life in general.”
Since finishing her studies Emma has gained full time employment as a Practice Nurse at Carterton Medical Centre in the Wairarapa.
“I have been lucky enough to get my dream job! I’ve always wanted to work in the community as a Practice Nurse and UCOL put me in a good position to do that.”
Emma’s goal is to one day open her own rest home or small community practice. She also plans to further her studies with Carterton Medical Centre and complete the Nurse Entry to Practice Programme.
Graduating in 2016, Emma says she has found her place in the world. “During my time at UCOL I learnt a lot about myself, who I am as a person and where I want to be in the future.”
Carterton Medical Centre located in Carterton, New Zealand, is a small family centred practice which prides itself on offering full medical services. The General Practice team is made up of highly skilled and qualified medical, nursing and administrative staff.