A nurse described as a "go to girl" has been honoured with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation's National Service Award.
Suzanne Bannister was presented the award at the NZNO conference in Wellington last month, becoming the second Wairarapa nurse to receive it in two years.
"It was a complete surprise. It was
nice that all my work over the years had been appreciated."
Mrs Bannister has worked primarily at the hospital since she began her training there in 1977.
In 1998, she completed her Bachelor of Nursing and in the same year was on the NZNO's strike committee.
She continued her role with the organisation as a negotiating team member for the inaugural lower North Island multi-employer collective agreement in 2001, 2003 and 2004.
The staff nurse in the Wairarapa District Health Board's Medical Surgical Ward has also worked as an NZNO organiser in the Wairarapa aged-care sector.
"It's been important to acknowledge patients' and nurses' rights and to have safe staffing levels."
In her presentation speech at the ceremony, NZNO president Marion Guy said Mrs Bannister was "tenacious, loyal and persistent when having to defend the indefensible".
"Suzanne, your friends, the members, and the delegates are justifiably proud of you."
