Waiouru, a special town for new nurse.

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 3, 16 June 1987, Page 3

Waiouru, a special town for new nurse.

W aiouru's new Karitane nurse, Tracey Sigglekow, looks younger than her 23 years but already she has a wealth of nursing experience behind her. Mrs Sigglekow and her husband, a soldier in the Army, came to Waiouru on transfer from Trentham 18 months ago. She took over the position of Karitane nurse from former nurse Louise Harvey who has since left the area. Mrs Sigglekow's job as Karitane nurse involves home visits to children from 0-5 years in an area covering Waiouru to Ohingaiti. In this area there are a large number of babies and young children to visit on a regular basis. Home visits are made to those families referred to the Karitane nurse by doctors, Public Health Nurse or Plunket Nurse. Mrs Sigglekow said Waiouru is an area of

particular importance because of the number of mothers with babies. Because Waiouru is such a young community and new mothers rarely have the children's aunt, uncles or grandparents nearby for support it is up to the Karitane Nurse to provide the support. Having husbands away on leave is also a common problem for young families. A Karitane Nurse's job involves dealing with nutritional and behavioural probeims with infants although sometimes it is

just a matter. of being available when parents need a break. Mrs Sigglekow described her job as being "very demanding and a lot of hard work, but also very rewarding." "Sometimes it can be sad when you see a baby with problems, and you can't go home and not worry about it." She said some cases are referred back to Waiouru Public Health Nurse Anne Whyte or to Social Welfare. Mrs Sigglekow works

closely with Waiouru Plunket Nurse, Ann Gunner and has the backing of other health professionals at all times. She trained in Waipukurau in 1982 and worked at a geriatric hospital for a year. She then spent a year working at Hutt Hospital, with six months in the children's ward and six months in the maternity annexe and neonatal unit. From her Work there she was graded and evaluated and at the end of the time received her endorsement. Mrs Sigglekow is a State Enrolled Nurse and is presently completing a Karitane Nurse course. At the end of the course, later on this year, she will receive her Nurse's certification and badge. Along with studying for this she attends nurses support meetings in Waiouru and study days held four times a year in Wanganui. Mrs Sigglekow is enthusiastic about her job in Waiouru, a town she said she loves. "Waiouru is special - it is a very caring community," she said.