Caring for people at most vulnerable time

THANKFUL: Hospice Tairawhiti nurse Jayda Taiepa feels honoured to be among those nominated for the Nurses and Midwives of Tairawhiti (NAMOT) Achievement Awards being held on Saturday. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

Hospice Tairawhiti nurse Jayda Taiepa says it is a great privilege to work in palliative care.

That may be a difficult concept for many to comprehend, but she describes her work as “a special role” where she helps individuals and their family/whanau in their most vulnerable moments.

She was raised in Christchurch where she decided at a young age that she wanted to help and care for people.

Ms Taiepa trained in Canterbury and moved to Gisborne with her partner 18 months ago.

She brought with her hopes of working in palliative care and was fortunate to be able to move straight into nursing at Hospice Tairawhiti.

“That would have taken at least five years in Christchurch,” she said.

“Palliative care has always been my career aspiration.”

There was a personal link to her wanting to care for the terminally ill, with her grandmother dying in a Canterbury hospice at the age of 53.

The hospice staff made a deep impression on her, she said.

“It made me basically say to myself, ‘I want to do that' — to make a difference in people's lives and to provide compassionate nursing for those in need.”

She said the aim of palliative nursing was to provide positive outcomes for vulnerable patients and their families.

“It's such an intimate part of life that most people do not get to see.”

Ms Taiepa said she loves nursing and has no hesitation in recommending it as a career option to others.

“Nursing is a rewarding profession. Every day is different. It's flexible with many different specialities.

“You make a difference in people's lives every day.”

■ The 5th annual NAMOT achievement awards are at the RSA on Saturday starting at 5pm. Tickets are available from .