Nurse's personal experience fuels passion for neonatal care

‘PASSION FOR THE MAHI’: Ashlee McNabb says she loves working in the neonatal unit at Gisborne Hospital. She was inspired to become a nurse after first-hand experience caring for her prematurely-born brother. Picture supplied

Ashlee McNabb had no aspirations of becoming a nurse until she witnessed first-hand the care her younger brother, born at 34 weeks, received in the special care baby unit (SCBU).

The experience was inspirational for Ashlee, who is of Ngati Kahungunu ki te Wairoa and Tainui descent.

“When I visited my brother in the SCBU I enjoyed caring for him, and feeding him, and I saw what the nurses did,” she said. “He needed respiratory support and I saw how these nurses are saving babies’ lives. I signed up for nursing straight away.”

Ashlee was able to get a nine-week placement at Hastings Hospital in the special care baby unit where she applied for a programme to work for a year.

“I was so excited when I found out I got into SCBU,” she said. “I felt supported as I was also doing a postgraduate paper and extra study days.

“I realised I was able to study and work at the same time.

“Here I gained a lot of hands-on experience that I’ve been able to implement at my new placement.”

Ashlee is now in the neonatal unit at the Gisborne Hospital on a permanent contract and is the NZ Nurses Organisation lead for the neonatal unit.

“I’m enjoying my time here. It’s a supportive and caring environment and I love being here to support māmā and pēpi in their early journey.

“I have the passion for the mahi I do and the career I have ahead of me.”

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