Wintec postgraduate Master of Nursing student, Nurse Practitioner and Waikato District Health Board’s Nurse of the Year 2016. Ellyn completed Wintec’s Bachelor of Nursing 20 years ago, is back at Wintec completing her Master of Nursing, and is now Waikato District Health Board’s Nurse of the Year 2016. “I see it as an honour and a privilege to be a nurse." Wintec’s learning environment helped her get to where she is today, she says. “It was such a supportive environment, that set me up for what has been a versatile and rewarding career, and the continued support I get now from the Wintec nursing department, while I complete my Masters is so valuable. My job isn’t just about helping people with their physical needs, it’s also about being there for them emotionally and psychologically." “I feel like I’m making a real difference in people’s lives.”