Benjamin Rowley

Benjamin Rowley, Public Health Nurse with Te Punaka Oraka in Dunedin

On a typical day

I’m very lucky with this job as there is almost no such thing as a typical day! The work I do can vary between assisting with immunisation clinics, completing Before School Checks, and working with youth in high schools. Unexpected challenges can also pop up such as being pulled onto a contact tracing team for the COVID-19 response. Working in the community means we get out of the office quite a bit which is one part I really enjoy about the job. One of my favourite challenges this year has been completing Year 9 Health Assessments. These assessments may be the first time young people have had one on one contact with a health care professional so I try to make it a positive experience for them, focusing largely on their strengths and how we can build of these to help them meet any health goals they may have.

One way I’ve made a difference as a nurse

There are many ways we can make a difference as a Public Health Nurse. I have been able to help people access health care services such as the dentist or GP which they may not have been able to without some additional support. We also often work with whanau who are already under care of several supports but just need someone to make the links and get everyone on the same page. Sometimes, all someone needs is to just be heard. We have the privilege of being able to visit people in their homes, in their own environment, where we can give them the opportunity to be listened too.

What would you say to a person considering a career in nursing

To someone considering a career in nursing I would suggest going in with an open mind and a positive attitude. There are so many different avenues to go down with this profession. I never knew Public Health Nursing could be somewhere I’d end up until my final placement in third year. You have to be prepared to put in some hard work and do some self-discovery along the way. I guarantee that you will experience not only professional growth, but personal growth too. If helping people brings you a sense of fulfilment, nursing is definitely a career to consider.