3 minute read
NURSE
CARINGFOR PATIENTS
THE VOCATION OFNURSING
writer SARA CARBERY
photographer LOGAN WEST
FRANCESCA FLORES-LIM was inspired to become a nurse after hearing stories from her dad about the nurses who cared for him after he had a serious accident. “My dad is a burns survivor and spent many months in the hospital, as well as ongoing rehabilitation,” she explains. “There was one nurse in particular that my dad would always talk about as if she was his ‘guardian angel’ during a really difficult time. “I aspire to be like this nurse for the patients I care for.” After graduating from Selwyn College, Francesca (21) enrolled in a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) at AUT, supported by an AUT New Horizons scholarship. “I absolutely loved AUT,” she says. “The lecturers were all friendly and the friends you make during university and placements all have hearts of gold.” Since graduating from university at the end of last year, Francesca has been working as a registered nurse on a general medicine ward at North Shore Hospital.
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Her job involves helping patients with daily activities such as showering and eating, distributing medications, spending time with patients and their families “and if it's a crazy day, maybe a resuscitation code (an emergency!)”. She says the thing she loves most about her job is looking after people when they are at their most vulnerable. “It’s the most rewarding feeling to know that your patients and their family and friends feel comfortable expressing how they truly feel with you.” Francesca admits she found the transition from student to registered nurse quite challenging at first. “But once I sunk into the role, I saw how capable I really was.” In her final year at Selwyn College, Francesca studied Biology, Chemistry, English, Music
FRANCESCA FLORES-LIM
and Drama, all subjects which have turned out to be helpful. “The sciences were useful in terms of understanding the science-based subjects, such as human anatomy and physiology, when I was in my first year at university,” she says. “And NCEA Music and Drama were important as they helped me build my confidence, which was very beneficial when it came to going on hospital placements and university simulation labs.” Inspired by the care her dad received after his accident, Francesca would one day like to work in the burns unit at Middlemore Hospital. “I would also love to go on the Mercy Ships and serve as a registered nurse.” Mercy Ships is an international charity dedicated to bringing hope and healing to the world’s poorest and most marginalised people. For Francesca, nursing is a vocation rather than a job, so her advice to others wondering what career path to choose is: “Pick something you are passionate about! There is nothing worse than getting stuck doing something you don’t enjoy.”
KEY FACTS
■ FRANCESCA FLORES-LIM HAS A BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCE (NURSING) FROM AUT. ■ SHE HAS WORKED AS A REGISTERED NURSE ON A GENERAL MEDICINE WARD
AT NORTH SHORE HOSPITAL SINCE GRADUATING FROM UNIVERSITY AT THE
END OF LAST YEAR. ■ FRANCESCA STUDIED BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY,ENGLISH, MUSIC AND DRAMA IN
YEAR 13 AND SAYS ALL HAVE BEEN USEFUL FOR HER STUDIES AND WORK. For more information on studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) at AUT, visit
www.aut.ac.nz/nursing
and for more information on AUT scholarships visit
www.aut.ac.nz/secondary-scholarships
THE MOST OPEN DAY REGISTER NOW aut.ac.nz/liveExplore your undergraduate & postgraduate options 28AUG2021
