Nursing graduates start at Wide Bay HHS
Health services across the Wide Bay will welcome 39 new nursing and midwifery graduates, as they kick start their careers in the coming weeks.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles congratulated the new graduates on their placements.
“They’ve chosen incredibly rewarding careers, ones that help people get better, improve their wellbeing, and bring new life into this world,” he said.
“Nurses are among the most trusted frontline professionals. They can make a real difference to the quality of care delivered to patients.
“The graduate rotations are an opportunity to put what they’ve learned so far into practice, and take in as many skills and as much knowledge as possible in their first year.
“Every additional nurse on the frontline is an asset. I’m certain they’ll receive outstanding support and mentorship from experienced staff as they begin their healthcare adventure.”
The new nurses, who consist of graduates from both local and other universities, are spread across Bundaberg, Fraser Coast and rural facilities, including within the midwifery and mental health teams.
“It’s fantastic to have these graduates join our professional and dedicated nursing team and I wish them well as they settle into their roles in the upcoming weeks,” Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Adrian Pennington said.
“These nursing graduates are essential to delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time to Wide Bay patients not only today, but well into the future.
“WBHHS continuously replenishes the nursing team as valued, experienced staff leave our service due to retirement or other career opportunities – which is why recruiting a high-quality graduate class is important.”
Among the graduates starting at WBHHS facilities will be Kelly Scott, who was inspired to make a career change after 21 years serving Australia in its Navy.
After completing her Nursing Science degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Fraser Coast Campus, Kelly was successful at gaining a nursing graduate place at her local public health service.
“While I was serving overseas I saw the state of some of the hospitals and I just wanted to help people,” Kelly said.
There will be a second intake of graduate nurses across WBHHS in June/July, 2019.
