Ina Fesili
Hear from one of our MAPmedics students, who took a different path after completing a Bachelor of Health Science in Paramedicine degree and decided to pursue a Master's in Nursing to become a Registered Nurse.
Ina at her Master's in Nursing graduation during the Summer Graduation of 2023.
Talofa lava, mālo le soifua maua ma le lagi e mama. My name is Ina and I was born on the beautiful island of Samoa and I come from the villages of Papauta, Tanugamanono and Siumu. I am currently living in the heart of South Auckland, Māngere
What inspired you to pursue a degree in Paramedicine?
Fresh out of high school in 2017, I began a Bachelor of Health Science degree, following the standard pathway. By 2019, I felt stuck and no longer enjoyed attending university, so I took a gap semester to visit family in Samoa. While there, I observed how their emergency medical teams responded to 111 call-outs, and I noticed the absence of qualified paramedics on the island. This sparked my interest in studying paramedicine. Upon returning to New Zealand, I applied for the paramedicine pathway and began my journey.
In what ways did MAPmedics support you during your Paramedicine studies?
Transitioning into a whole new degree was challenging, and I felt that the class time wasn’t enough for me to fully grasp and understand all the condensed content. Attending MAPmedics weekly helped me gain confidence for OSCE exams, ask questions in small groups with access to lecturers, and deepen my understanding of the course material. It was also a great networking opportunity, allowing me to learn from other Māori and Pacific students, as well as qualified Māori and Pacific paramedics already working in the field.
What led you to pursue a Master's in Nursing?
Although I loved working in the prehospital environment, I felt my true calling was serving patients and their families through continued care during their hospital admissions. I enjoy working in team environments to support patients and their aiga/whānau through what might be difficult times. I realised that one way to achieve this was by completing a Master’s in Nursing.
How did your experience in Paramedicine help you transition to a Master's in Nursing?
My experience in paramedicine provided a strong foundation for transitioning to a Master’s in Nursing by equipping me with critical decision-making skills, an understanding of emergency care, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. As a paramedic graduate, I gained hands-on experience in assessing and managing acute health issues in diverse, high-stress environments, which sharpened my clinical judgement. These skills translated seamlessly into nursing practice, where patient care is often complex and problem-solving is always required. Additionally, working closely with nurses and other healthcare professionals helped me develop strong communication and teamwork skills.
What are your current plans and future goals now that you've completed both the Paramedicine degree and the Master's in Nursing?
For now, I am enjoying my time as a new nurse, but I know I have a long way to go before considering a change. One of my goals, once I have gained enough experience, is to practice in both the paramedicine and nursing fields to better support our growing Māori and Pacific populations.
