Caitlin Gibb

I am dedicated to becoming the best possible registered nurse I can be. I chose to become a nurse so i could make a difference to people's lives, to advocate for the client's allocated to me, who may be vulnerable and in need of a second voice, and to be someone whānau can trust to look after their loved ones, amongst other reasons. Nursing has so many aspects to it, and I am excited to find myself within my nursing career. Surgical nursing for me is such a rewarding area. I find it special to watch a client leave the hospital to further their recovery at home, excited that the operation they have had is hopefully going to increase their quality of life. Navigating children and their families through some of their toughest journeys, and to enable rapport and trust amongst these individuals makes me excited. To make a difference in their life, and to get a child to smile and laugh whilst in hospital brings a smile to my face. I am excited to begin my career within the nursing profession, and can't wait to see where it takes me.

• Janice Collier Memorial Fund Scholarship, 2022, from Malvern Home Nursing Group.
• Malvern Health and Community Welfare Trust Scholarship, 2020, from Malvern Health and Community group.

Southern Cross Christchurch - 3B Transition 

(14th August 2023 - Current):

This is a elective surgical dominated placement within a Private Hospital, which is currently teaching me how to work as a new graduate nurse, with the support and supervision of my preceptors. I have developed my time management, critical thinking and documentation skills whilst working at Southern Cross and I have enjoyed the challenge of caring for different clients, who have had a variety of different operations. I am also continuing to work with the multidisciplinary team to improve health outcomes for the client. Through this placement, I am able to experience all aspects of the hospital from pre-admission, admission, day stay unit, ward nursing, theatre and PACU. I am excited to continue my placement at Southern Cross, and increase my learning. 

Christchurch Eye Outpatients - 3A Community 

(20th March - 28th April 2023):

This placement specialised in eyes, and different conditions associated with the eyes. I learnt how to work within a clinic environment and quickly assess patients vision, and test the pressure within their eyes using either a Nidek or an eyecare. It was interesting to experience all aspects of the clinic, from pre-admission with people who are having eye surgeries, testing vision and pressure, learning how to scan and take pictures of the back of the eye as well as assessing post-op patients and assisting in eye injections. I continued to learn how teamwork makes a difference within the clinic and learn about the eye as a whole.

Ward 11 Christchurch Public - 2B Med/Surg 

(15th August - 19th October 2022):

This was my first hospital placement. I learnt how to work within a ward environment that was focused on ENT, ophthalmology, maxillofacial surgery as well as some general med/surg. This placement offered a variety of different surgical cares such as changing dressings, utilising nasogastric tubing where we had to administer crushed medications and nutrition via the tubing, suctioning tracheostomy stomas. I enjoyed the challenge of the ward as I had to think of alternative ways to communicate with patients who have had a laryngectomy and couldn't vocally communicate. I developed my surgical skills here, continued with writing progress notes and continued to work with the wider multidisciplinary team. 

Hillmorton Hospital, West Community - 2A Mental Health 

(2nd May - 10th June 2022):

In this placement, I went to different client residence of living with the RN I was with, where we assessed how the client was doing on a weekly-monthly basis. We would also take the client(s) into the community and assist with any shopping they required. We transported client(s) from their house, back to the clinic if they couldn't get themselves to the clinic for their depot or assessment with the doctor. I continued my interpersonal skills and also practiced de-escalation skills and learnt how to write progress notes within this placement. During this placement, I learnt how to work with the wider multidisciplinary team.

Anthony Wilding Retirement Village - 1B Nursing the Person with Long Term Health Needs 

(29th July - 13th August and 4th November - 11th November 2021:

This placement is where I learnt and practiced my interpersonal skills, by talking to the residents of the village and doing their morning cares. These morning cares included assisting with feeds (if needed), showering and dressing, brushing teeth and learning how to use transferring equipment such as hoists, sliding sheets and utilising different walking frames and equipment. 

I enjoy listening to all genres of music. After a difficult shift, or to wind down from the day, I love to put on a calming playlist to relax as well as to help me focus when studing. Music helps me to get my mind off of the day, and resets me for the next day. 

Being involved within my community is also one of my interests. I volunteer to umpire primary to intermediate children playing netball on a Saturday morning at my local netball club during the season. Not only does it keep me active, but it also makes me smile watching the players have fun on the court, and being involved in the community

Laura Sim (Clinical tutor)

027 316 4307

laura.sim@ara.ac.nz

Vicky McKay (Clinical preceptor)

021 128 8083

vicksnz@hotmail.com