Tessa Orange was the inaugural recipient of the Bernadette East Nursing Scholarship and is now working as a registered nurse at Bidwill Trust Hospital in Timaru.
The scholarship was created in memory of the late Bernadette East — a senior nurse at Bidwill Trust Hospital for 39 years — and provides successful applicants with $3000 towards their third-year studies for a bachelor of nursing degree.
She said she was inspired by her mum.
"People always tell me how much of an amazing nurse she is.
"I was always so proud to hear this and wanted to be just like her."
While she was determined to follow in her mother’s footsteps, it was not always an easy journey.
The qualification requires students to do up to 40 hours a week practical training to get the essential experience.
She said she was very grateful to have received the scholarship.
"It took a lot of financial pressure off me.
"It felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders.
"It also gave me a boost of confidence and motivation to stick at it during the harder times."
Bidwill Trust Hospital general manager Tina Rogers said it was important to provide the next generation of healthcare students with support.
"We currently have four healthcare students working on site, one of whom is from AUT.
"This year marks the first time we’ve welcomed students from Auckland for training as anaesthetic technicians; a testament to our staff and facilities."
She said a further three students were gaining critical work experience in wards and operating theatres at Bidwill as part of their bachelor of nursing studies at Ara in Timaru.
Ara senior academic staff member Gail Foster said its Department of Health Practice and Bidwill Trust Hospital enjoyed a strong working relationship.
"The partnership is long-standing and special in terms of support for our ākonga (students) both in clinical placements and through the Bernadette East Scholarship opportunity.
"Our South Canterbury bachelor of nursing students who complete clinical placements in the hospital come away equipped with real-life experiences, which help them immensely in their journey to become the next generation of health professionals.
"We encourage them to apply for the Bernadette East Scholarship, which is another way the Bidwill Trust Hospital supports emerging nurses."
