“For me as an Islander, nursing is a natural thing. We most definitely need more Pacific males in nursing,” – Daniel Mataafa, MIT Bachelor of Nursing graduate.
For many young Pacific men, nursing isn’t a career they consider. But after an injury side-lined his rugby aspirations, Daniel Mataafa is graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing from MIT. He now wants to encourage others men to give it a go.
“For me as an Islander, nursing is more of a natural thing. We’re family orientated, and caring for others just comes naturally,” he says.
“We most definitely need more Pacific males in nursing. Many of the patients we deal with are Islanders, so it would be nice to have your own people looking after you.”
Willem Fourie, Dean of MIT’s Faculty of Nursing and Health Studies, says that it’s important for nursing staff to represent many different perspectives and backgrounds.
“We need more Pasifika men like Daniel in nursing. They’re often role models to the communities and people they serve.”
“Male nurses can make a difference anywhere, not because they are men, but because they are competent and caring nurses,” says Willem.
Being one of the only males in his class was disconcerting for Daniel when he first started studying.
“At first, it was really weird, just being surrounded by all the beautiful ladies,” he says. “But you get used to it. They treat you like family and you become so close, and you get to know one another.”
At school, Daniel was more interested in sports. He dreamed of one day becoming a specialist diver in the Navy, and entered pre-training for the services. But a rugby injury during his first XV’s tour to Samoa permanently damaged his perennial nerve.
“I think most young boys in New Zealand, they dream of becoming big in rugby. I was very unfortunate, because of the injury. It was a big blow to self-esteem. It felt like I lost half of myself. I don’t feel like that anymore. I’m grateful.”
After taking six months off, Daniel says “I woke up one day and realised I wasn’t going anywhere. I did the Foundations programme at MIT, then got into the bachelor of nursing programme. Nursing has been my life since then.”
Daniel is now a nurse at Middlemore Hospital, working in its medical ward. “It’s haematology and dermatology and endocrine. We get all the chemo patients, and the cancer patients. It was hard to see at first, especially as a new grad, but you get used to it.”
“I went there for my second year placement, and I fell in love with the place,” he says. “I was very fortunate to get the job. I just love the people I work with.”
Daniel will be graduating next week (28 May) with a Bachelor of Nursing degree, along with 1,072 other people as part of MIT’s 2016 Graduation.
“Graduating is the most amazing feeling,” he says. “It feels like you have done something with your life. It feels like you are going somewhere. It feels like you are going to contribute to your community, and your country a lot better.”
“To other young people, I would say, just do what you want to do; nobody’s going to stop you but yourself.”
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