Mikayla Johnston

- Currently working in the admissions unit at Mercy Ascot across both Mercy and Ascot hospital sites.

- This area of work requires effective time management skills due to the fast paced nature of the role, making sure patients are appropriately ready for their surgery.

- Collaborating with all members of the health care team such as the surgeons, anesthetists, pharmacists and physios in order for patients to receive the best experience possible for their overall wellbeing.

- Demonstrating accurate assessment skills in order to determine whether a patient is fit enough for their surgery.

- Being the first health professional these patients encounter on their journey, I am constantly providing them with reassurance, advocation, management of anxiety and ensuring they have a positive hospital experience.

- Involvement in organisational quality improvement projects such as the TrakCare roll out, where I have provided extensive support to my colleagues. Also attending additional training sessions to become a 'subject matter expert' for my team.

- Started on ward 23B as a new graduate nurse and have obtained numerous amounts of knowledge and skills in caring for patients and their families/whanau. I have looked after children from all over New Zealand and the South Pacific needing life saving cardiac surgery.

- I have managed their care from admission to discharge including patient assessments, care planning, health education and discharge support.

- Within this fast paced surgical environment, I work professionally in a multi-disciplinary team to coordinate and collaborate high quality and effective care to all populations in need.

- I have been IOA (Intensive observation area) trained where I look after complex and acutely unwell cardiac patients who need extra level of care and monitoring.

- Through assessment I am able to notice any changes or deterioration in my patients and act on this quickly by informing the clinical team where we can then make amendments to the delivery of care.

- Before starting my role as a Nurse, I worked at the Pakuranga Golf Club for 4 years while studying my nursing degree. Working in the hospitality sector enabled me to develop on my communication and people skills working with clients, customers and rest of the staff. I was also able to have a managing role being the ‘manager of duty’ after gaining my bar managers license. This role involved developing leadership skills and being assertive when required.