Fiona Campbell

Communicable Disease Control Public Health Nurse, Northern Regional Public Health – Te Whatu Ora
Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing)

Working as a communicable disease control public health nurse is rewarding, says Fiona Campbell who studied a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) and now works for Northern Regional Public Health – Te Whatu Ora.

“I’m learning so much, and enjoy being able to help people and be on the cutting edge of what is happening in our country and globally epidemiologically.

“In my work now, I often draw on what I learned during AUT’s nursing programme, which put a huge emphasis on whakawhanaungatanga and how nurses build rapport and communicate with communities. That’s the foundation for any success with patients. Making health information, education and treatment not only accessible but acceptable to communities and patients is key to population health.”

An easy decision
Fiona says deciding to come to AUT to study nursing was easy.

“AUT has the most highly recommended nursing programme in New Zealand. When I started my studies, there was still COVID and we were studying online, so getting to be with the Māori cohort in person in my final year was a highlight for me.

“Another highpoint was the Māori Student Nurses Hui, an amazing nourishing experience where students from all over country come together for a week. AUT gets to show off that we have the best student nurses’ uniforms in the country! Throughout my studies, I also appreciated the support from Mike O’Keeffe, better known as Matua Mike. He was amazing, and so supportive and really felt like a protective uncle.”

Fiona’s studies were supported by a Te Pitomata Scholarship from Health New Zealand, a Tressa Thomas Retraining Award from the Kate Edgar Foundation and a Hauora Māori Scholarship.

Advice for other students
Fiona, who graduated from AUT at the end of 2024, has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.

“Take advantage of all the extra services, help and guidance you can. For me, the whānau room and my Māori peers were a key reason I passed – we really did it together, with a ‘no Māori left behind’ attitude!”

There’s plenty of help if you need it, Fiona adds.

“If you’re shy to connect there are student and RN peers who can help, and you can also get support from the Māori staff.”