Fruitbowl - Fresh Ideas from Hawke's Bay

Vicki Portman was in her late fifties when she launched into her nursing studies three years ago.

Having been capped recently she sees her degree as the launch-pad for a career that will continue into her seventies.

Vicki worked at the Atawhai Lifestyle Care Village in Taradale where her Dad, Ted Morris, was the first medical superintendent.

Some of the current residents of Atawhai have fond memories of him in earlier days so her choice of workplace was both sentimental and a point of honour.

Vicki appreciated what she would be taking on with tertiary study.  As a teenager, she left Napier and achieved a Bachelor of Science and a postgraduate diploma in pathology and microbiology.   

The science helped with her nursing studies at EIT.

She told us that it was hard work sometimes, but she took it one day at a time.  And her brain hadn’t stopped.”

Vicki’s Dad was a much-loved Taradale GP.

And so she thinks that the medical interest is probably in her blood. 

Truly – what an inspiring woman.