Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
34 seconds ago
Kayleigh Oakham always wanted to be a vet nurse, and in her early 30s, the mother-of-four decided to make that goal a reality through EIT.
Originally from the United Kingdom, the now 38-year-old graduated with the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) in April.
“It was always in the back of my mind. Animals have always been a big passion of mine.”
Kayleigh Oakham has finally achieved her long-held dream of becoming a vet nurse after graduating from EIT.
It was only after moving to Napier in 2019 that Kayleigh decided to work towards becoming a vet nurse.
Before enrolling at EIT in 2023, Kayleigh had mainly worked in childcare and elderly care while raising her four children.
“My youngest was four months old when I started at EIT, and now she’s four, so all she’s known is me studying.”
Rather than entering directly into the diploma, Kayleigh chose to begin with the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals) (Level 4).
“I don’t think you have to do it that way, but I wanted to start at the lower certificate first so I could get a feel for it and ease back into study after such a long time.”
She says being an older student also helped her manage the demands of study and family life.
“Being older definitely helped with time management. I made sure I stayed ahead all the time, and it was a lot easier that way for me.”
Studying at EIT confirmed she had made the right decision.
“The course was fun. Terrifying at times, but good.”
During the diploma, Kayleigh completed placements at several veterinary clinics. It was her placement at CareVets Napier that eventually led to employment, first on reception while studying and now as a Vet Nurse.
She says one of the highlights of studying at EIT was the support from tutors and classmates.
“The tutors are amazing. They’re really supportive.”
Kayleigh says she would recommend EIT to others considering tertiary study.
“You make a lot of friends, and everyone’s really supportive.”
Now graduated, she says she is enjoying working in the industry she had always hoped to be part of.
“I love it.”
Vet Nursing Programme Coordinator Sarah Subritzky says: “Kayleigh’s journey is an excellent example of what can be achieved through determination, hard work, and a genuine passion for animal care”.
“Throughout her studies, she demonstrated resilience, professionalism, and a strong commitment to her learning while balancing the demands of family life.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to see her progress from our Level 4 Animal Care programme through to graduating with her Diploma in
Veterinary Nursing and securing employment within the industry. We are very proud of her achievements and look forward to seeing her continue to grow as a veterinary nurse.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/19/eit-graduate-achieves-long-held-goal-of-becoming-vet-nurse/