2020 Vision for a New Year
11th January 2020 | Back to News
Ayla Evans
Nurse Ayla Evans enjoys being part of a team at Three Rivers Medical Centre, making a positive difference in the health and lives of patients in Gisborne.
If we can make a meaningful change, we just might help someone stay out of hospital and that's a real win. That's why I wanted to get into primary health.”
Growing up on the East Coast, Ayla Evans toyed with the idea of training as a midwife before settling on a Bachelor of Science (Nursing).
“I always knew that I wanted to help people in some way,” says the Te Araroa local. “And while it was exciting to go away and study, the Coast will always be home.”
Now working as a practice nurse at Three Rivers Medical, Ayla (Ngati Porou) brings plenty of experience to her role.
After finishing her studies in 2015, the young graduate hit the ground running – her first job was managing a 26-bed wing of a rest home in Rotorua.
“It was a big responsibility for a 20-year-old, keeping an eye on the patients and their medication as well as considering the care assistants, families and everyone else involved,” she says.
“But I had a lot of support and learned so much within a very short period of time.”
After deciding to move home with her young son, Ayla took on another big role, this time as a CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service) nurse for Ngati Porou Hauora.
“That was challenging in that we covered a huge area – right from Potaka to Anaura Bay – and dealt with some very vulnerable young people. But, again, I was with a great team so got a lot out of it.”
Ayla brings all that experience to Three Rivers where a working day might see her deal with everything from smear-taking and immunisations to changing dressings and carrying out health checks.
“I love that we get to deal with a wide range of people and conditions, and we have such an amazing team there is always someone to talk to if you need advice,” she says.
“If we can make a meaningful change, we just might help someone stay out of hospital and that's a real win. That's why I wanted to get into primary health.”