Staff profiles
Nicky Lumb
Associate clinical nurse manager Cardiology and Respiratory Department
“Being a nurse is part of who I am – it’s a very rewarding career.”
Nicky is responsible for the day to day running of the Cardiology and Respiratory Department including Coronary Angiography and coordinating the transfer of cardiac patients to Waikato Hospital.
“The best thing about being a nurse is getting to share in the privilege of being part of our patients’ experiences,” Nicky says.
She feels very fortunate to be leading a fantastic team of health professionals, which includes nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, registered nurses, as well as cardiac and respiratory physiologists.
The Cardiology and Respiratory Department is relatively unique as it provides approximately 6000 diagnostic tests per year, for outpatients and inpatients, as well as medical, nurse practitioner led and Cardiac Rehabilitation clinics.
“We literally cover the whole patient journey when it comes to Cardiac and Respiratory conditions and we all consistently work together to provide excellent patient centred care,” Nicky says.
“I’ve worked with lots of inspirational people over the years. I’m lucky to have very supportive colleagues who constantly influence the way I practise.”
Nicky has been a nurse for 30 years, moving to Taranaki DHB from Dunedin 20 years ago. Today it’s still the challenges and variety of her work that inspires Nicky, who since went on to complete a graduate diploma in advanced nursing at Auckland University.
Nicky has worked in a variety of areas – CCU, Recovery, Haemodialysis, ICU, ED, Maternity, and as a nurse educator and an undergraduate nursing tutor. She’s had many memorable experiences along the way, good and bad, but she says there’s always something to learn from all of them and each time she starts a new job she think that’s the highlight of her career.
“For me being able to diversify into different areas is what makes nursing so interesting.”
“After all these years, as long as it has something to do with cardiology I’m happy! Cardiology as a specialty makes sense to me, it’s taken me a while but this is where I feel very comfortable. The great thing is that I can honestly say that I still learn something new every day.”