When Kate Van Peer joined Travis Medical Centre in Christchurch two years ago, she didn’t expect the role would reignite her passion for nursing and upskilling. Starting out with a year on reception before moving into a healthcare assistant role, Kate quickly discovered how much she valued the relationships she was building with patients.
A new start sparks renewed passion
“I actually started out in nursing and completed my first year,” she explains. “Then I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do, so I came to this job. But, doing a Careerforce apprenticeship and gaining more experience really inspired me to get back into it.”
For Kate, the most rewarding part of the role has been the connections she forms with patients and the opportunity to use her clinical knowledge in a meaningful way. “It’s great building relationships with patients and seeing them regularly,” she says.
Primary Care Practice Assistance graduate Kate van Peer
Fast forward two years, and Kate has just completed her Primary Care Practice Assistant (PCPA) apprenticeship with national work-based training organisation Careerforce.
Building skills through apprenticeship and support
Her journey into further training began when her manager encouraged her to take the next step. “My manager actually came to me and asked if I wanted to do the apprenticeship. I love learning and wanted to understand the work I’m doing even better, so I was really keen.”
That support has been key to Kate’s development. Kate has been gaining hands-on experience in procedures such as venepuncture and immunisation under the supervision of the nursing team, while simultaneously completing the fully work-based apprenticeship through Careerforce. Alongside the programme, she has also completed phlebotomy and immunisation courses, helping her to expand her skills and scope of practice.
“Having Kate do this training has definitely been worthwhile for our practice. At the end of the day, it’s only added to our capacity and capability,” Practice Manager, Morag Williams said.
Learning on the job, growing in confidence
The Careerforce apprenticeship’s flexible, online and self-directed format made it possible for Kate to balance full-time work with study. “I really enjoyed it,” she says. “Being able to do some of it during quieter times at work meant I could juggle both without feeling overwhelmed.”
While she admits to feeling nervous at first, having access to support made a big difference.
Careerforce assign each apprentice with an advisor who supports the learner, Andy Bunn in Kate’s instance. “Andy was great. It was really helpful to have someone there to go through things with, if I wasn’t quite understanding it correctly or just needed a little bit of extra help.”
One of the most valuable aspects of the learning was gaining a deeper understanding of the wider health system in New Zealand. “It helped me understand the demographics and health issues affecting people here, as well as the cultural aspects specific to New Zealand. That background knowledge really helps when working with patients,” says Kate.
A pathway back to nursing
For Kate, the experience has been transformative. “Before doing the apprenticeship, I didn’t think I wanted to go back to nursing,” she says. “But it reignited that love of learning and made me want to keep moving forward.”
Now she’s taking the next step, returning to nursing study and starting her second year in July. While she will be studying full-time, Travis Medical Centre is continuing to support her journey.
“I’m really lucky they’re keeping me on casually so I can still help out,” she says.
Kate believes the Careerforce apprenticeship programme is valuable for anyone working as a healthcare assistant. “It gives you knowledge you wouldn’t otherwise get and helps you feel much more confident in your role. I definitely feel more comfortable supporting patients.”
With her passion for learning reignited and a clear pathway ahead, Kate’s journey shows how the right support and opportunities can help turn a job into the start of a meaningful healthcare career.
Employers may also qualify for the Apprenticeship Boost which provides a wage subsidy for eligible new and existing apprentices in their first year of training.
For more information about the Careerforce Primary Care Practice Assistance Apprenticeship, contact Careerforce.
Susan Tattersall