Education
- SIT Nurse Educators Aica Rivero and Stacey Porter received top honours at recent awards.
- Rivero’s research work has influenced clinical practice and inspired nursing students and colleagues.
- Porter’s teaching approach was praised for creativity, student mentorship and long-lasting workforce impact.
Two Nurse Educators from the Southern Institute of Technology’s (SIT) School of Nursing were recognised for their achievements at the recent Nursing Excellence Awards, hosted by Health New Zealand on 13 May at Southland Hospital.
Nurse Educator Aica Rivero received the award for Nursing Excellence in Research. Rivero has become a recognised leader in nursing research, with extensive contributions across areas such as mobile health technologies, gamification, and student assessment experiences. She has secured funding, published widely, and shared her findings on the global stage, including a presentation at the SPARKS conference in the Philippines in October 2024.
"Aica is a recognised leader in the field of research, and her findings have directly influenced clinical practice and policy," said Karyn Madden, Academic Lead and Postgraduate Programme Manager at SIT. Madden added that Rivero is a mentor and role model, fostering a culture of inquiry and evidence-based practice among staff and students.
Rivero reflected on her journey from clinical nursing to research and teaching, describing it as both “rewarding and challenging”. She added, “It also reflects the collective efforts of those who have mentored, collaborated, and walked alongside me... As an internationally qualified nurse (IQN), the recognition is profoundly meaningful for me.”
She highlighted the close link between research and bedside care, saying, “It shapes it. I hope it inspires other nurses, especially my fellow IQNs, to see research... as a vital part of our identity and responsibilities as nurses.”
Stacey Porter was also honoured, receiving the award for Nursing Excellence in Teaching. She said, “It’s an incredible honour and thrill to receive recognition and this award from peers and the health sector.” Porter described herself as “deeply passionate” about education, and driven to innovate and inspire through teaching.
She said, “The most rewarding part is seeing students graduate and enter the profession — eventually becoming peers themselves.”
Madden commended Porter’s dynamic and student-centred approach. “Stacey’s highly engaging teaching approach uses creativity and innovation to prepare students for the complex demands of modern healthcare,” she said.
She added that Porter has helped create a supportive and inclusive learning environment, inspiring students to be “compassionate, reflective, and forward-thinking practitioners.”
“It was wonderful to see many of our past students being nominated and receiving awards also – it’s a tribute to the whole team at SIT,” Madden said.