“During my experience with my grandmother, I saw how the nurses did their jobs and had a passion for caring for others. This is why I pursued nursing and had the motivation to work in health.”

A recipient of a Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) medical scholarship, Simione initially studied nursing in Fiji and worked as a nurse in his home country and the Cook Islands. He moved to New Zealand in 2015 and settled in Christchurch for better opportunities.

“New Zealand provided me with greener pastures and has allowed me to further develop my nursing knowledge and skills.”

Simione had been working in the Pacific Islands for five years. When he arrived in Christchurch it was obvious to him that although Pacific are one of the smallest minority groups, there was major demand for Pacific healthcare workers.

“Once I got here, I knew immediately I needed to focus on helping our people,” he says.

Last year, Simione decided to return to study to further develop his nursing skills and so he enrolled into the Bachelor of Nursing degree at the Ara Institute of Canterbury.

“Nursing is a true calling. You’re meeting new people on a daily basis, facing challenges around every corner and helping people.”

Last year, Simione received a $10,000 Violani ‘Ilolahia Wills Nursing Scholarship presented by the Pasifika Medical Association. The organisation has been awarding scholarships to Pacific students for the past two years and all the scholarships are named after life members of the organisation who have given exemplary service to improving the health of Pacific people.

Simione’s award pays tribute to Tongan born Violani ‘Ilolahia Wills, a leader in Pacific nursing whose long career spans more than 50 years. In 1975 she was appointed charge nurse of the neo natal intensive care ward at Wellington Hospital and spent 24 years in the role. She is also the patron of the Tonga Nurses Association Aotearoa.

“Violani’s legacy is something that I want to uphold,” says Simione. “Like Violani, I want to work with our Pasifika people and families, advocate for them in terms of their health and continuous education to achieve leadership roles in nursing.”

The extra financial support has helped Simione during his three-year nursing degree, as he’s not eligible to apply for a student allowance or a student loan in New Zealand. He also has to work two jobs during his full-time study to support himself. During the week, he works at the Etu Pasifika Clinic, the largest health provider for the Pacific community in Canterbury and in the weekend he works at a mental health ward. Working at two different healthcare facilities – a Pacific focused one and a mainstream ward – has given Simione an insight into how the Pacific community react to healthcare.

“They are more comfortable when there are Pasifika people serving them. They open up and we can develop good and meaningful relationships. In a mainstream setting, Pacific people are not so open and they keep to themselves.”

Simione says it’s important more Pasifika students see the value of a career in healthcare and that the PMA scholarships can support their endeavors.

“If we succeed, either in our training or during our careers, then that is reflected back on our community.”

All 2020 PMA scholarships are now open and applications close on Friday 3 July 2020. 

Please see the link to apply:

http://pacifichealth.org.nz/2020-scholarships/

#pmafamily    #pmaunite

Date: Monday 8 June 2020