For Suzie Masoe, the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Advanced Support) is the first step towards her goal of becoming a nurse.
Suzie was inspired to pursue a career in palliative care after caring for a friend while living in Australia.
“I didn’t realise how much was involved in caring for people. It made me think that that was what I wanted to do.”
She moved back home to the
Wairarapa to enrol in the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Advanced Support), with the long term goal of studying to become a nurse.
Suzie says the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Support Work) has helped her realise her potential, and she credits the supportive environment at UCOL | Te Pūkenga for helping her thrive.
“Our tutor is great and easy to understand. She helps us with everything. We can go to anyone at UCOL | Te Pūkenga if we need help. Everyone is just really helpful, which makes it a whole lot easier to learn.”
“It’s very whanau-centred. It’s probably the best move I’ve ever made. This place suits me to a T. It’s flexible and you have a bit of freedom; you’re not just in the class, writing all of the time.”
As part of the programme, Suzie completed a placement at the
Wairarapa Village retirement community. This was valuable for Suzie as it allowed her to gain experience using equipment like PEG tubes and catheters. She made such a great impression that she was given a job there two weeks into her placement.
After she completes the programme, Suzie plans to stay at the UCOL | Te Pūkenga Wairarapa Campus and study the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) (Nursing Pathway). After that, she hopes to move onto the
Bachelor of Nursing.