Not many 17-year-olds have the opportunity to see open heart surgery up close, but that's exactly what St Catherines' student, Hana Burkitt, experienced as part of a week-long placement at Wellington Regional Hospital, through a Kia Ora Hauora - Rangatahi ki te Ao (RKTA) programme.
The programme - Kia Ora Hauora Career Pathway - is a partnership between Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley and Kia Ora Hauora (KOH) Central Region, to promote, support and implement a pipeline for rangatahi Māori into health careers. Centring on Kaupapa Māori principles and values like Tikanga, Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga, it offers aspiring Māori high school students an opportunity to spend a week observing health professions including dental, diabetes services, nursing, radiation therapy and surgery.
For Hana, who is studying chemistry, biology, calculus, te reo rangatira and religious education, the experience, was 'eye-opening'.
"I haven't always been interested in health but seeing some of my whānau pass as a result of illnesses that could have been prevented (like cancer, smoking and mental health), has really made me think about health as a career," Hana explains.
"In Year 12, I was involved in the KOH Work Observation Day initiative and got to see a clinic offering dental checks for whānau targeting five-12-year-olds. This year I was fortunate to be able to do my placement focused on surgery.
"It was amazing. I thought I was squeamish but observing open-heart surgery was a privilege – and I am very grateful for that opportunity. It has definitely put that fire in me, to be a surgeon or anaesthetist. That's the pathway I'm now looking at.
So what were some of the learnings from her work experience week?
"You can achieve what you want if you set your mind to it, focus and work hard," says Hana, who has won a scholarship for on-campus experience at Otago University.
"Health provides an opportunity to give back to our communities and, for me, this pathway could hopefully help me better support my whānau as well as encourage more Māori rangatahi to look at a career in health."
Her advice to other rangatahi who have an interest in health but may not have the confidence to pursue it?
"Go for it. It's not glamorous and it is not Grey's Anatomy or those TV medical shows. It's hard work and it will take determination but if it's your dream, there are opportunities like the KOH programme, that provide an opening to learn more about the health pathway. Be proactive, apply for programmes that will get you to where you want to go."
NETP Nurse Coordinator, Lisa Karaka (who is also a member of the Career Pathways Working Group and Workforce Development team), explains that these initiatives are a vital pipeline to support the future of health in New Zealand.
"On behalf of the Career Pathways team we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the services who provided support for the Kia Ora Hauora initiative, especially the theatre team."
