Davis Ferguson

After a year and a half of grappling with his studies, Davis made the brave decision to leave university and embark on a journey of self-discovery. During this time, he took on a job as a caregiver at Ultimate Care, initially just to pay the bills. But what started as a simple job soon ignited a passion for nursing. "I thought, if I couldn't last two weeks as a caregiver, how could I last as a nurse?" he thought. But those two weeks turned into nearly two years, and the experience solidified his desire to become a nurse.

Now in his second year of a Bachelor of Nursing at UCOL Manawatū, Davis has found his true calling. His experiences as a caregiver have given him a unique perspective on healthcare, particularly the challenges faced by Māori and those who lack strong health advocacy. "I wanted to be an advocate for my family, who have often struggled with poor health literacy," he says. "I want to be the bridge between them and the healthcare system."

Davis's leadership journey began with a simple "yes." When a New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) representative visited his class looking for someone to take on a leadership role, Davis stepped up. Davis's commitment and passion quickly shone through. He began attending NZNO meetings, including their annual general meeting in Wellington, where he found himself compelled to seek higher positions within the ākonga space.

Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa (Te Rūnanga) is a partner organisation of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation that represents Māori health professional members. Its aim is to enhance the health and wellbeing of all people of Aotearoa, promote professional and industrial aspirations to achieve a safe, sustainable and accessible system of public health care for all New Zealanders. You can find out more here.

The 23-year-old was elected to role of Tauira (Student) Chairperson recently, Davis now represents over 4,000 nursing students across 20 different schools. His mission is clear: to advocate for students, especially Māori students, who often face unique challenges in their studies and placements. "There's a lack of cultural competency in the workforce, a lack of understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and how it impacts our studies and healthcare," Davis explains. "Mispronouncing Māori words is just one of the many issues we face."

Davis knows firsthand the struggles of being a student. Balancing part-time work as a caregiver with study, he's all too familiar with the financial and emotional strain that comes with it. But he also knows he's not alone. "The struggle is real," he says, "but there are people out there who want to see change. We're here to advocate for students, to mediate between them, the heads of schools, and our future employers. We're here to do some awesome things with students, network, and have fun along the way."

Davis's journey from a disconnected university student to a passionate advocate and leader reminds us that our path isn't a straight line sometimes. He acknowledges the tough political and economic climate now and fears that more students will head to Australia. Davis wants to do a working holiday over there, but New Zealand is home and where his career will be.

 "Being a student isn't all doom and gloom," Davis says. "There are positives, and we're here to make the most of them."

Find out more about the Bachelor of Nursing.