NorthTec nursing graduates make huge sacrifice

NorthTec nursing graduates make huge sacrifice for a better future

When nurses from Kerala in Southern India, Ashanth An Jose and Jerly Eldo decided to come to NorthTec to study for their Bachelor in Nursing degree they knew that it would mean spending two years away from their family.

For Ashanth that meant leaving her five-month old son with her extended family while she pursued her studies. Jerly left two children behind in India. “It was a bold decision,” said Ashanth. “I knew I was not going to see my son for two years. But I had the full support of my husband and family.”

Ashanth and Jerly saw an ad for the NorthTec programme in their local paper. After completing their IELTs qualification with high scores they were able to pursue their higher education overseas. “I did a Diploma of Nursing in India and worked for five and a half years as a nurse,” said Ashanth. Jerly worked as a nurse in India for fifteen years.

At the recent whakawaatea (farewell) for the nursing students held at NorthTec’s marae family came from as far afield as India and the Philippines to celebrate with their new graduates. A row of proud and smiling husbands beamed at their wives during the ceremony. Many of the graduating students thanked their family for their support during the whakawaatea. “We could do what we did because we knew we had our families’ support backing us up,” said Ashanth.

Each of NorthTec’s international nursing students paid $40,000 for their two years of study, working part-time to pay for their living costs in addition to studying full-time and undertaking clinical and community placements.

“We supported each other as a group,” said Jerly. “We talked about what we were studying and helped each other with childminding.” At first the cultural differences they experienced made it challenging to find part-time work. “The health system here works in a very different way. It also took a little while for us to get used to the New Zealand accent.”

Jerly and Ashanth both received good support from NorthTec, however, and from South Indian couple Savio Joseph and Joby Paul who live in Whangarei and work at Whangarei Hospital. Both Jerly and Ashanth also found part-time work at Puriri Court and Selwyn Park.

Some aspects of life in New Zealand were easier than others for both women to understand. “Māori culture is very similar to our own culture in that we have a strong attachment to our wider family,” said Jerly. “We involve the whole family in our decision-making.”

While the nursing graduates wait for their work permits to be processed and for their results to be sent out they are already looking for job opportunities in Whangarei and the north.

“It’s a big ladder and we have to climb it step by step,” said Ashanth.

Both women can see themselves with a long career in nursing ahead and an exciting future for their families in the north. “My career will be nursing,” said Ashanth. “I hope to do further study in the field and develop my specialisms. Perhaps one day I may even be able to teach nursing.”

Meanwhile, she is looking forward to being reunited with her son once she has her work visa. He will be arriving in Whangarei accompanied by his extended family who will stay with him for a few months in New Zealand while he gets used to life in this country.

Jerly’s family have already relocated to Whangarei, with her son currently studying at Whangarei Boys High School. “He hopes to be a pilot one day and the teachers at Whangarei High School are supporting him and giving him career advice.”

Studying at NorthTec has involved commitment and courage for both Ashanth and Jerly and they are rightly proud of what they have achieved. “Yes, we are proud of ourselves,” said Jerly. “We’ve got a degree in our hand.”

NorthTec is the Tai Tokerau (Northland) region's largest provider of tertiary education, with campuses and learning centres in Whangarei, Kerikeri, Rāwene, Kaikohe and Kaitaia. NorthTec also has over 60 community-based delivery points from Coatesville in rural Rodney to Ngataki in the Far North.

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