One year into his degree, Troy Gregg Schofield made the strategic decision to transfer his studies and complete his Bachelor of Nursing at SIT. The change instigated invaluable life experiences, as well as a scholarship to Chile to pursue his dreams of learning Spanish to enhance his career.
Prior to training for Nursing, Troy had been working in Advertising and sales, and hospitality, mainly in hotels. Whilst he enjoyed the work, it wasn’t sufficiently rewarding. Having a mother who exemplified community-mindedness as a firefighter and an EMT influenced Troy, so he chose Nursing, starting his Bachelor of Nursing at UCOL in his hometown of Palmerston North. Describing the first year as hard, “I fell in love with Nursing,” said Troy.
After Year one, Troy decided to move to the other end of the country, to focus solely on his studies. “I was passing [my papers], but there were distractions,” he explained. “I didn’t know the South Island at all, I didn’t know anyone.” He wanted to be somewhere “to live, eat and breathe just being a Nurse …so I could concentrate and hit the books and achieve the degree.”
Troy’s decision hit the mark; he has no regrets. “I’m really glad I did move.” Invercargill was a change, but he adjusted quickly and had good experiences there.
“My only real expectation (of SIT) was to be taught, to prepare me to do the job. And they did.” The tutors were “really good quality … [they] were very experienced, they would answer your questions, there was plenty of back and forth,” with robust classroom discussions. Troy developed a better understanding of peer-reviewed information – “research application and interpretation of the knowledge – and [how to] question information and interpret it and draw your own conclusions. SIT did a good job of showing us the importance of it.”
Studies were complemented with hands-on clinical experience. “Measuring, assessing, and then interpreting the assessment on how to treat the patient,” Troy explained. “[SIT] Invercargill are great at giving you a wide spectrum of experiences in … placements.”
Because he transferred to SIT part-way through his degree, “there was a learning curve”, and Troy spent extra time studying to ensure there were no gaps in his knowledge. He felt well supported; the head of SIT School of Nursing (SoN) checked in on him to make sure he was okay, and he made a couple of good friends on his programme.
The most valuable learning imparted at SIT was coming away with a deeper appreciation of the human condition and people. “So many people are involved... with so much knowledge and experience needed to make people well. The social aspect of nursing is important.”
SIT’s Zero Fees Scheme was a highlight too. Troy says he would do it all again. “I made the right decision… I had so many good experiences at SIT.” A standout placement was at Queenstown Lakes District Hospital. “They’re an amazing team; they were so open to teaching. Learning from a colleague who’d worked for Doctors Without Borders “…put a fire under me,” Troy said. “I learned more in this placement than any other… I’m grateful I transferred just for that reason alone. Ultimately, moving to Southland gave me a wider spread of experiences in placements.”
Troy navigated some challenges at SIT, mainly the distance from his family and catching up on his studies. “I have six siblings; I’m used to having people around me 24/7…” Not being able to see family for two years “was a big thing”, but in the process, Troy gained insight into the need for support to do well in his nursing, and through persevering “I hit my stride by the third year”.
And the best was yet to come. Discovering the Prime Minister’s Scholarship on a campus noticeboard, Troy pursued it and was successful in gaining a month-long trip to Chile for Spanish language studies. “I feel really lucky. I wouldn’t have gone to Chile if I hadn’t come to SIT.” The trip was delayed due to pandemic-related issues, and Troy went after graduating. Describing it as an eye-opener, he says “I definitely fell in love with [Spanish]. It’s a beautiful language.” He also gained an understanding of the Chilean people and culture. “I have an appreciation for that part of the world,” and acknowledged it has gifted him “a better understanding of the human condition …I have nothing but gratitude for these experiences.”
Having a cross-cultural experience and utilising the language skills in his nursing has inspired Troy to continue with Spanish “[It] can help you relate to people… I really want to be able to do that alongside my nursing.”
Now a Registered Nurse at Midcentral Hospital, Palmerston North, Troy is highly motivated to advance his nursing through further education and has already enrolled in postgraduate studies. His area of interest is high acuity trauma and plans to complete a Master of Nursing to gain the prescribing paper. “I want to be able to do more for the people I’m helping.” Troy explains.
Aware of the serendipitous moments he’s had through leaving his comfortable life and transferring to SIT, Troy says “If you see something you might be able to do, try it! I’m never going to regret the times I made an effort.”