Raman Kaur enjoyed her learning experience at UCOL so much, she has dreams of teaching nursing there sometime in the future.
In the meantime, she is thriving in her nursing role in the Oncology department at Palmerston North Hospital.
The 28-year-old from Faridkot, Punjab, India, has worked hard to achieve the necessary qualifications to be a nurse in New Zealand.
Raman studied for four years in India, where she gained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She then spent a year as a Registered Nurse at Raminder Nursing Home in Faridkot, Punjab, India.
In 2016, she travelled to New Zealand and completed a one-year Diploma in Health Services Management (Level 7) at NTEC in Auckland. Raman then received her post-study work visa for two years, and worked as Health Care Assistant at Auckland City Hospital and Middlemore Hospital.
“As I had only one year’s experience as a nurse back in India, I was not eligible for the Competency Assessment Programme (CAP) to get my nursing registration in New Zealand,” she says. “I heard about UCOL’s Recognition of Prior Learning through a friend.”
Raman applied online and, meeting UCOL’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) requirements, enrolled.
The RPL process recognises previous study and qualifications, and cross credits these to help students complete their studies faster.
Raman admits she was nervous and anxious going back into the classroom but the positive environment, warm welcome, and supportive UCOL tutors made it ‘unforgettable’. “The tutor’s attitude and way of dealing with students was just amazing,” she says.
“UCOL provides excellent student services like accommodation for two weeks, one-to-one assignment guidance, counselling, a student support team, free IT services, a student help desk, resume guidance, the UCOL library, and social activities.”
“I learned a lot with my placements in rest homes, hospitals, and other facilities. I learned how to build healthy relationship with patients and the importance of Māori culture,” she says.
Raman coped well with the study workload at UCOL and had the opportunity to work as a part-time healthcare assistant at Julia Wallace Retirement Village in Palmerston North during that time.
“I chose to come here because New Zealand has a great international reputation for its quality education. It offers a safe learning environment as well as advanced study opportunities and services for overseas students.”
“As an international student, I chose UCOL so I could achieve an internationally recognised qualification. UCOL welcomes multinational students to study, explore, and interact with other cultural groups. I felt they provided the right guidance and a pathway for me to achieve my goals in life. I really enjoyed my journey as a student at UCOL.”