Two nurses awarded new Bernadette East Nursing Scholarship

The Bidwill Trust Hospital Board in Timaru has decided to support not one, but two nurses for the inaugural year of the Bernadette East Nursing Scholarship.

Erin Robertson from Timaru, and Tessa Orange, Geraldine, will both receive $3000 toward their third-year studies for a Bachelor of Nursing. Both are studying nursing through the Ara Institute of Canterbury, with Orange at the Christchurch campus and Robertson studying at Timaru.

The new scholarship is in memory of the late Bernadette East, who was a senior nurse at Bidwill Trust Hospital for 39 years. Applicants had to have successfully completed year two of their studies toward their degree, and either be resident in South Canterbury or have completed their high school education in the province.

Bidwill General Manager Tina Rogers said the board decided to grant two scholarships because of the very high standard of the two successful applications, and in recognition of how challenging it has been for nursing training with the impact of Covid-19.

Tessa Orange: Tessa has been a South Canterbury resident most of her life. Her secondary education was at Geraldine High School where she was deputy head girl. She was captain of the Geraldine women’s second division hockey team, and a volunteer swimming coach. She is currently a volunteer with Arthritis New Zealand. A placement at St George’s Hospital in Christchurch helped her discover a passion for surgical nursing. Her ambition once she has completed her degree is to return to South Canterbury and seek a surgical or post anaesthesia care unit role.

“Gaining this scholarship means I will have more time to focus on my assessments and clinical placements, without the worry of having to work part time to support my living costs. It will also enable me to purchase valuable equipment, and pay for textbooks, uniform items and travel fees.”

Erin Robertson: Erin lives and studies in in Timaru, while also working part-time and being a Mum. Her secondary education was at Waiuku College in Auckland. In Timaru, her interests have included volunteer committee member and treasurer for the Washdyke Playcentre and, later, the same role for Timaru Plunket. She volunteers as a parent helper at Waimataitai School. The highlight of her nursing training to date has been a placement at Bidwill Trust Hospital where she learned many practical skills and observed several surgeries. Her intent, following completion of her degree, is to practice nursing in Timaru where she hopes to specialise as a theatre nurse.

“So far, I have been juggling full-time study along with working part-time and raising two young children. Receiving this scholarship will enable me to forego part-time work and focus fully on my last year of study.”