Media Release                                                                   22 March 2018

Nurses advancing the health of the nation

Me haeretahi tātou mō te hauora me te orange o ngā iwi katoa o Aotearoa: Let us journey together for the health and well-being of the people of Aotearoa.

NZNO tonight launches its Strategy for Nursing 2018-2023 at Travelodge Wellington. NZNO chief executive Memo Musa, president Grant Brookes and kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku are launching it to nurse leaders from around New Zealand.

The conceptual model and the interdependent strategy sections and themes provide a strong platform for implementing strategic actions through NZNO membership and in partnership with aligned professional, legislative, regulatory and community agencies. The strategy can be read in full at: www.nurses.org.nz

Chief Executive Memo Musa says that the NZNO Strategy for Nursing is congruent with the major health strategies in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“It provides a unique nursing perspective on how nursing is the solution to meet community health needs and promote health gain in Aotearoa New Zealand. Investment in nursing will deliver universal health coverage and progress the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to ensure better health for everyone,” he said.

NZNO Kaiwhakahaere says the strategy is a key tool to help resolve structural and systemic barriers that impede nursing effectiveness in Aotearoa New Zealand, such as restrictive models of care and employment, contractual methods, funding mechanisms and institutional racism.

“The NZNO Strategy for Nursing is a whole-of-profession document, irrespective of the role a nurse has. The strategy pays particular attention to a Māori world view of health, care and support,” she said.

NZNO president:

“Nurses bring a powerful and united voice to serious public health issues that they can’t fix with medicine alone because public health is increasingly connected to global politics about the environment and health care funding by governments. This strategy recognises that,” Grant Brookes said.

Ends.

Media Enquires to NZNO Media adviser Karen Coltman: 027 431 2617.