Erin Waterman’s degree in nursing is the culmination of her years-long passion for the field. Having picked up a class prize and international recognition along the way, the mum of four from Te Aroha says her studies have been nothing short of life changing.
Before studying at Waikato, Erin spent nine years as an enrolled nurse, which is a member of a healthcare team who works under the direction of a registered nurse.
She was looking for ways to expand her skills, enhance her practice and better serve her community when she heard about Waikato’s Bachelor of Nursing.
“I had heard great things about the [University of Waikato’s] nursing programme from students in the first cohort,” she says. While studying for her degree, Erin continued to work part-time as an enrolled nurse, ran two businesses – a courier company and a restaurant – and raised her four daughters.
Erin’s dedication to her studies and aptitude for nursing has been well recognised throughout her time at Waikato. She received the Kirkman Prize for Outstanding Clinical Practice for 2024, and in her third year, took part in a project that gained international recognition.
I would encourage anyone who has an interest in nursing to attend the programme at the University of Waikato.
Her passion for nursing has even inspired the next generation – her daughter is now following in her footsteps, currently in her first year of the same degree.
Erin hopes to continue expanding her knowledge, refining her skills and making a lasting impact in the healthcare field.