Fruitbowl - Fresh Ideas from Hawke's Bay

EIT graduate of the Master of Nursing, Rachael Walker, is New Zealand’s first renal Nurse Practitioner.

It’s a significant achievement in our region because there is a high prevalence of diabetes. And this disorder leads to nearly half the cases of kidney failure in New Zealand.

At 32, Rachael is also the youngest to have gained Nurse Practitioner status since the Nursing Council of New Zealand established the expanded nursing role nine years ago.

Nurse Practitioners are expert nurses who work within a specific area and practice incorporating advanced knowledge and skills.

Rachael’s achievement means she can assess, diagnose and prescribe medicine to patients who have renal dysfunction.

Rachael says that she knew what her goal was and EIT supported her in achieving her qualification – even with a new baby and a young child.

A star student, Rachael was awarded the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Associate Directors of Nursing Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Nursing Studies at EIT’s graduation ceremony earlier this year.

The appointment of Drew Henderson as the renal service’s clinical director was the catalyst for her decision to seek Nurse Practitioner status.

Because prevention is always preferable, the message from Rachael, is to look after yourself, see your primary care team for regular check-ups and manage your health. Kidney disease isn’t inevitable, she says.