An intake of seven nursing graduates have started their careers with the Central West Hospital and Health Service this month.
They join 11 nursing and two midwifery graduates who began work with Central West Health in February, bringing the total intake for the year to 20 – a record for the health service.
Last year it welcomed a total of 16 new graduates split evenly between the February and August intakes.
Central West Health executive director of nursing and midwifery, Lorraine Mathison, said this year’s record intake was a major achievement for the service.
“The growing number of nursing and midwifery graduates applying to join Central West Health reflects how highly (it) is being viewed as an increasingly attractive area for new nurses and midwives to launch their careers,’’ she said.
Four of the seven July intake nurse graduates will rotate between Barcaldine and Blackall hospitals, spending six months in each during their first year, while the three others will rotate between Longreach and Winton hospitals.
“They will work in the clinical areas of acute medical, surgical, emergency, community and primary health and also support the hospital-based ambulance,’’ Ms Mathison said.
“We have two graduates from the University of Southern Queensland and one each from Flinders, Griffith, Adelaide, Central Queensland and James Cook universities.
“As a health service, we are committed to providing training opportunities for graduate nurses and midwives.
“They are an important part of our team, and we value the contribution they will make.’’
Ms Mathison said the new nurses would undertake a 12-month graduate transition program that involved theoretical and practical assessments.
“Graduate nurses and midwives are provided support and mentorship by experienced staff to help make the transition from studying at university to life in the workforce,’’ she said.
“We hope their first year of practice in the central west will open their eyes to the opportunities and diverse range of professional experiences available in our region and opt to continue their career with us in the future.’’