More than 150 new graduate nurses and midwives have recently joined Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS), ready to translate the skills they’ve learnt at university into improved care for local patients.
The 2022 cohort is one of the health service’s largest group of graduates yet.
SCHHS Nurse Educator and Graduate Program Coordinator Amanda Naumann said she was pleased to welcome the very talented and passionate cohort to Sunshine Coast Health.
“There were more than 900 nurses and midwives applying for positions within our graduate program for 2022. We know the SCHHS graduate program is highly regarded and it’s always a very competitive process.
“We’re pleased that this year’s intake saw a rise in the number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants being offered a graduate position, who we know will make a valued and rich contribution to our workforce.
“We’re also proud to have a strong graduate retention rate at SCHHS. This is due to our graduates being well supported within an excellent education framework governed by the Practice Development Team of Nurse Educators, as well as by a team of dedicated, well experienced clinical coaches at the point of care.
“Our nurses and midwives play a key role in the future of our region’s health workforce, and we must continue to invest in supporting our novice clinicians as they gain confidence and competence as health professionals,” Ms Naumann said.
Nursing Graduate and Gympie local Natalie Harmon said it was her desire to make a difference in people’s lives that led her to choose the nursing profession.
“I’ve been working as an Enrolled Nurse with Gympie Hospital, growing my skills and experience for the past 13 years, and have loved every minute of it.
“Caring for my mother palliatively in 2008 further ignited my passion for nursing, and desire to continue on studying my Bachelor of Nursing degree which I completed last year.
“Now, transitioning to being a Registered Nurse in the middle of a pandemic, I know I will be presented with many challenges as I consolidate my clinical skills.
“I am in constant awe of every person working on the front line and their ability to adapt and be flexible in these ever-changing times.
“Patient and staff safety is always my priority. I also believe that laughter is the best medicine, so I strive to be remembered as the nurse that brought humour and kindness to my patient’s lives.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to grow my capabilities both professionally and personally within the graduate program, engaging with my new team and the Nambour community as I take on my role there, and hopefully finding my very own niche in nursing,” Natalie said.