Sharen Small

Considerate and highly experienced Maori registered nurse, with passion for providing excellent patient health care, within the context of their whānau and community setting. This requires committed collaboration with healthcare, statutory and social service sectors to identify and implement patient and whānau-centred strategies to improve care quality and outcomes.

To date, dedication to research is demonstrated as a research participant, primarily for Māori registered nurses completing their Master’s theses. Further research participation is likely for 2024, albeit waiting for confirmation.

On a professional and personal level, the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi underpin my desire to the be the best version of myself and as a Maori registered nurse. In recent few decades, I have gained a deep respect for Te Ao Maori worldview, and I continue with learning Te Reo Maori. One of my proudest life achievements is having initiated two hikoi with my immediate and extended whānau, to connect with our marae. We are now registered with our Iwi; Ngati Ruanui in Taranaki and Ngati Maniapoto in Waikato.

Added to this, I passionately support all whānau to break the cycle of poverty, alongside addressing their historical and current trauma, in all its forms. As a mentor with the First Foundation, I will be soon informed as to whether I am matched with a mentee for the next few years. Excerpts from https://firstfoundation.org.nz/why-first-foundation/

"While financial assistance is crucial for students from lower-income households, so is having role models who have been to university, and access to work opportunities in the professional world"... "First Foundation provides targeted support in all three of these areas, to give talented Kiwis from challenging backgrounds"... "match students with a dedicated mentor, who helps them overcome challenges and transition from school to university, and into the professional world".