TWENTY new nursing and midwifery graduates have been welcomed to the team at the Far West Local Health District, providing a huge boost to health services locally.
Of the 20 graduates, three are local nurses with the remaining 17 from throughout NSW and interstate.
FWLHD executive director of Nursing and Midwifery, Wendy Gleeson, said gaining these new staff was exciting for Far West Health and added they will be an invaluable addition to the team.
“This is an exciting time for all our new nurses and midwives and also for the Far West LHD as we welcome them to our workforce,” Ms Gleeson said.
“We are encouraged they have chosen the Far West LHD to begin their nursing and midwifery careers and equally confident they will have a positive and valuable experience whilst here.
“The experiences the graduates will gain is invaluable and unique to the Far West. They gain first-hand experience of working in our remote facilities and engaging with and living within communities, which we hope will encourage them to consider a career in our region.”
Graduates will be assisted by experienced and multidisciplinary staff who will be able to support them in their transition from undergraduate study to becoming registered nurses or midwives.
The graduates are part of the Far West LHD’s GradStart program, which provides opportunities to gain experience and skills in a variety of clinic settings such as emergency departments, acute hospital services, maternity, hospital clinics and other health care services.
The program has placed nurses and midwives in Broken Hill, Wentworth, Wilcannia, Tibooburra and Balranald.
The graduates underwent orientation this week to meet staff, and to learn NSW ambulance training for those graduates working remotely.