Clinical education

Our team of clinical nurse specialists supports health professionals in community, primary and secondary care nationwide, with a particular focus on nurses.

Heart Foundation clinical nurse specialist presenting cardiac education workshop to nurses and health professionals in New Zealand.

Workshops and presentations

The CVDRA and CKM Workshop focuses on cardiovascular disease risk assessments and introduces cardiovascular kidney metabolic (CKM) conditions. Designed for nurses and allied health professionals in general practice, it equips clinicians with up-to-date knowledge for managing cardiovascular risk.

The session combines a presentation with small-group work, case studies and discussion, encouraging a shift towards prevention and early risk management.

The workshop also focuses on underserved populations, offering practical strategies to protect heart health.

Further workshop topics are being developed.

Our clinical nurse specialists can also give presentations without workshops, either in person or online.

Conferences and symposiums

Conferences provide an opportunity to connect with New Zealand healthcare professionals from a range of areas, including rural, primary and secondary care, cardiology specialists and researchers.

Each year our clinical team contributes to several key national conferences. Having a Heart Foundation stand enables them to share the latest information and cardiac education resources with frontline health professionals.  

Our team is often invited to present on cardiovascular topics, supporting the transition from evidence into practice.

Our clinical nurse specialists are also available to present at symposiums and nurse study days.  

eLearning and webinars

Free cardiac eLearning courses for primary care nurses are available on the Heart Foundation website. Each course counts as 1 hour of professional development (CPD).

The suite of 7 online courses is designed to inform and update nurses working in primary care. Topics include hypertension, coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, CVDRA, common arrhythmias, heart failure, and anatomy and physiology of the heart.

Please watch this space, as we’ll be creating new learning opportunities with webinars for health professionals.

eLearning

Meet our clinical nurse specialists

Leonie Cowie

Northern and Central | Te Ikaroa

I have over 20 years of nursing experience, first in New Zealand secondary health services and abroad in England and Nigeria, then most recently as a designated nurse community prescriber in primary care. My main area of interest is primary and preventative healthcare.

I hold a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) and am currently working towards a Master of Health Service Management.

When I’m not working, studying, ubering my 4 children around or exploring the New Zealand outdoors with friends and family, you’ll find me tucked up in a corner reading a good book.

Julia Reynolds

Midland | Te Manawa Taki

I have almost 30 years’ experience in interventional cardiology, first as a Registered Nurse (RN), then several years in clinical education and charge nursing. More recently I was a Nurse Specialist for elective angiography at North Shore Hospital, Auckland, including managing the patient journey and medication optimisation post-procedure as an RN prescriber.

I completed my Master of Nursing in 2019 with a focus on cardiology and adult education. This led to a passion for health literacy and resource development.

Outside of work I enjoy yoga, walking and meeting with friends.

Victoria (Tori) Lander

South Island | Te Waiponamu

I have over 20 years’ experience in various roles relating to cardiology. I have worked in cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac physiology and cardiac nursing. I have a strong interest in the relationship between physical activity and different disease states, particularly cardiology.

Most recently I was a Nurse Specialist in cardiac surgery at Starship Hospital.

I am currently completing my last paper in a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing.

Outside of work I enjoy being outdoors with my friends and family, challenging myself physically and trying to see the world.

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