Kiwi-Indian Damanjot Kaur has made the Indian diaspora proud. Kaur, who works as Cardiology Nurse Practitioner in the Te Whatu Ora Hawkes Bay Cardiology department, has recently been conferred with two prestigious awards.
Kaur, who hails from Chandigarh and moved to New Zealand around ten years ago, has been awarded inaugural the clinical innovation award from the Cardiovascular Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ).
Beaming with joy, Kaur revealed, “I have received the award at the 70th Annual scientific meeting of CSANZ, that took place in Gold Coast in Australia recently . I am the only Nursing or Allied Health member from NZ to receive the award this year. I don't have words to describe what this award means to me. I never thought I would win it. It is a dream come true but to be honest, there is lots more to achieve, and this award would inspire me to do even better."
The award was bestowed in recognition of her contribution to the cardiac patient population of Hawkes Bay. Kaur reveals that her priorities are improving access to populations with the poorest health and social outcomes, improving community cardiology services, especially to high Maori and socially isolated populations, addressing the inequities and increasing care access to the rural regions.
She has completed a Master of Nursing from Massey University and previously a Bachelor's in Nursing from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India. Currently, she is a Nurse Practitioner (NP)- the highest clinical position a Nurse could achieve and working as NP in Hawkes Bay in Hawkes Bay. She is the second Punjabi/Sikh Nurse Practitioner for the country (and first Sikh NP to be working in secondary care in the country) and the First Asian/Indian/Punjabi/Sikh NP for the Hawkes Bay region.
So, how has her journey been from being a migrant nurse from Chandigarh to becoming a NP in NZ? She reveals, "My journey has not been easy. But when I became a Nurse Practitioner, I was overwhelmed that I had made India proud. I feel that my dream of having my own clinic for needy people has and can become a reality in very near future. Like any other migrant in the nursing profession, I faced many challenges and competition. But the fact that my hard work is being recognised makes my heart swell with pride and humility. I feel blessed,” says Kaur.
She maintains that as a migrant nurse, she had to work hard to step up the career ladder as he had to compete with those who knew the NZ's health system and its functioning quite well. The science remains same but given that it’s called art of medicine because it has the component of art and individuality.
Adding another feather to her cap is that Kaur has also recently received the Best Tertiary Student runner-up award from the Multicultural Association of Hawkes Bay. This award recognises Kaur as the First Asian/Indian/Punjabi/Sikh Nurse Practitioner for the region post completion of her masters of nursing.
Kaur, a single mother to two boys (aged 6 and 9) who lives in Hastings with her parents, dedicates these awards to her family. "My parents and kids are my backbones. They motivate me, and the awards are dedicated to them. It is not easy achieving all this as a single mother. But I can't thank God enough for bestowing me with all the best things in life.”
These awards are in addition to her previous gems of hard work. Kaur has received the National Academic Appreciation Award from the Government of India for her excellent academic performance at reputed Punjab University, Chandigarh and she was awarded a Gold medal from Punjab Government, India, for Bachelor’s degree in nursing as being the topper of that state university in all disciplines. This was the first time a Nursing graduate was the topper of Punjab University, Chandigarh ( across all disciplines).
On a parting note, Kaur says she has lots more to achieve: "I want to work and ensure that health services are made more accessible in rural and isolated areas. I also want to work for my community in making them understand how to navigate NZ's health system."