Exploring How Diverse Students Arrive and Thrive Through Undergraduate Community and Public Health Pathways in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

<jats:p>Introduction Aotearoa New Zealand faces challenges in recruiting and retaining students in undergraduate health pathways. This is particularly the case for Māori students and Pacific students, which has an impact on sustaining a health workforce that fully reflects the diverse communities it serves. Innovative health science pathways at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), including Case Management, Health Management, Public and Environmental Health, and the Individual pathway, are intended to provide routes into diverse roles oriented toward community and public health. Yet, beyond anecdotes, little is known about students' experiences of these journeys. This study aimed to explore students' experiences, including reasons for choosing these programmes, levels of preparedness, challenges faced, and factors contributing to their sense of thriving. Methods Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with seven students, with an additional focus group specifically offered for three Pacific students to ensure Pacific voices were well-represented in the study. Key themes were identified from the data using framework analysis. The study design was informed by student demographic data gathered from the university’s student management system. Results/Discussion Demographic data about students enrolled in the pathways revealed between 20-37% identified as from Pacific communities, significantly higher than other pathways in health and university-wide at AUT. The health management students were significantly older, and several participants had transitioned from clinical pathways including nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy. Many student participants discovered unexpected career opportunities they felt would enable them to make meaningful contributions to the health workforce. Students described a process of reframing expectations through an increasing awareness of the real-world applications of their courses. The flexibility of these pathways allowed this diverse group of students to balance competing life demands while pursuing an education for health-related careers. While positive about their pathways, some students still sought clearer professional direction due to the broad nature of the community and public health workforce. For Pacific students in particular, supportive relationships with lecturers proved crucial for engagement and success. Conclusion The community and public health pathways at AUT provide students with an opportunity to educate themselves for health-based careers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Students were positive about their experiences, giving several examples of academic, intrapersonal and interpersonal growth and thriving. Further promotion of these pathways at pivotal transition points in the student journey can enhance their visibility, viability, and value.</jats:p>