Education
Six Southern Institute of Technology Bachelor of Nursing students ended 2025 with welcome news after becoming the first SIT students selected for the Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship Programme.
The scholarships are part of a new partnership between the SIT School of Nursing and Southern Cross Health Trust. The collaboration began in August after Southern Cross successfully trialled the programme with students in Auckland. The healthcare provider later expanded the initiative to five more tertiary institutions for 2026, investing more than $1 million to support nursing students around the country.
Students applied when the scheme launched at SIT in August and were informed in December that they had been selected. Two students from each year of the nursing degree will receive support through the scholarship.
The package includes $500 per week while students are on clinical placements, a $6200 contribution toward course material costs across three years of study, and $500 each year for health and wellbeing. The Nursing Council of New Zealand state exam will also be paid for during the students’ final year.
This week the scholarship recipients visited Southern Cross Invercargill Hospital for a welcome morning tea. The event allowed students to meet hospital management and SIT leaders, including Chief Executive Bharat Guha, Academic Lead of Nursing and Master of Nursing Programme Manager Karyn Madden, and Head of Faculty Health and Humanities Julia Russell.
Year Two nursing student Alana Burgess said the event helped students connect with the people behind the programme. “It was really cool, it was casual; we met the General Manager and had a talk. They went over the benefits of the scholarship and mentorship.”
Burgess previously worked in administration before retraining as a nurse after receiving a heart transplant following the birth of her youngest child. The care she received from hospital staff inspired her to pursue nursing.
She believes mentorship from Southern Cross nurses will be valuable as her training progresses. “Last year we covered a lot of the science; this year there is a lot more learning how to be a nurse in different environments.”
Students will also gain access to Southern Cross Clinical Key, an online learning resource with research, tutorials, and medical information. “You can search up anything medical… there is proper practice on how to handle it, and in-depth information on the condition and treatment.”
Year One student Claudia Parkinson said receiving the scholarship had strengthened her confidence. “To be honest, getting the scholarship means everything to me. This has been the biggest academic achievement of my life.”
Parkinson, a single mother, said the award motivates her to work harder toward her goal of helping underserved communities through nursing.
SIT Academic Lead of Nursing Karyn Madden said the partnership offers more than financial help. “It showcases other avenues of healthcare. It’s a great opportunity for the students to get involved with Southern Cross.”
Southern Cross Invercargill Hospital General Manager Jo McLeod said the organisation was proud to support the programme locally. “It’s such a great opportunity to support our nurses of the future.”