International Nurses Day – Rochelle (Rocky) Holder

NIMBLE THINKING NURSING

With Evolution Healthcare

At Evolution Healthcare we couldn’t be prouder of our exceptionally talented team – and the backbone of that team are our wonderful nurses.

Like us, they’re committed to continuing excellence in the health and wellbeing of the people in our care. That’s why we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle “Rocky” Holder, the operating-theatre coordinator at Royston Hospital, who talks about how she balances her nursing duties in such a high-pressure environment.

“Thinking outside of the box is a massive part of my role as Theatre Coordinator – operating schedules and patient conditions don’t always go to plan, so it’s up to me to adapt and accommodate things to ensure patients get their surgery when they need it.”

Juggling these variables might seem daunting, but Rocky says the pressure and energy gives her the momentum she needs to come up with solutions quickly.

“I like being super busy – constantly thinking on my toes. The pressure helps me think better.

“In a way, being pushed to problem-solve boosts my confidence in the knowledge and processes that I’ve built up over the years,” she says. “It’s cool to be able to prove to myself I can call on all the learning and effort that goes into becoming a nurse.”

Thinking differently and being innovative is something Rocky also encourages in her team.

“You have to be on the floor alongside your team to understand what their challenges are. Being present to help them troubleshoot is so important.”

As a hospital that primarily offers elective surgery, the ability to successfully manage these daily variables and theatre schedule challenges, means Royston patients receive the best care possible.

“The resources we’re fortunate to have at Royston, means our schedules are more stable, which in turn means we’re able to focus more on the patient’s personal journey.

“I’ve had previous managerial roles where I’ve had to cancel patient surgeries – its heart-wrenching,” Rocky says. “But at Royston, I know we’ll be productive in the surgeries and tasks we’ve been set, and that’s not only rewarding for us, but potentially life-changing for our patients.”

Evolution Healthcare is a leading provider of healthcare services in New Zealand. Our group has six hospitals, five specialist day hospitals, a maternity hospital, and a range of specialist health and wellbeing services.