Scholarship recipient Alexandra gains confidence and experience

Final year Auckland University of Technology nursing student Alexandra, a Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship Programme recipient, is already gaining hands-on experience and confidence as she prepares to enter the workforce.

As part of her scholarship, Alexandra has completed two clinical placements within Southern Cross Healthcare, one on the surgical ward at Southern Cross North Harbour Hospital and the other with Southern Cross Wellness Partners (formerly MedPro), delivering flu vaccinations to Auckland workplaces.

At North Harbour, Alexandra was able to observe surgeries and provide ward based care. “It was incredible to be in theatre and see surgical nursing up close,” she says. “But what really stood out was the chance to build strong connections with patients. Creating trust and playing a role in someone’s recovery was so rewarding.”

Her placement with Southern Cross Wellness Partners showed her another side of nursing, one focused on prevention and early intervention. “Doing health checks, flu vaccinations, and drug testing in the community gave me a whole new perspective,” Alexandra says. “It really showed me how impactful nursing can be outside hospital walls.”

The scholarship, she says, has been life changing. “Nursing school has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but having this kind of support - financially, emotionally, and professionally, has completely changed how I’ll be able to step into the workforce. I feel prepared, supported, and excited for what’s ahead. I’m honestly so grateful.”

Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship Programme support future nurses like Alexandra with financial assistance, clinical placements, mentorship, and job opportunities across the Southern Cross Healthcare network.