Mackay Hospital and Health Service has welcomed an additional 51 registered nurses to its workforce this week.
Nursing Director Education and Research Dr Christopher Churchouse said the health service was delighted to offer an increased number of places, up from 48 in 2016.
“We are excited to have an increased amount of nurses that have chosen to launch their career with us this year,” he said.
“It is also very pleasing to know that many of the nurses are no strangers to the region with more than 90% of them being Mackay locals.
“This all forms part of our greater plan to grow our own talent and retain registered nurses after they have completed their graduate program, which is reflected in the increasing number of graduate registered nurses the Mackay HHS has employed in recent years.”
The nurses at Mackay Base Hospital are working in the Child and Adolescent Health Unit, Cardiac Care Unit, Day Surgery Unit, Emergency Department, General Surgical Unit, Medical Wards, Mental Health, Midwifery, Oncology, Outpatients, Theatre and Renal.
“Two nurses will also kick start their careers on the recently opened medical and surgical mixed ward,” Dr Churchouse said.
“We are committed to supporting new nurses and they are all excited to work in a state-of-the-art hospital that is growing and increasing services.”
About 80% of last year’s graduates have decided to continue working in the Mackay HHS.
Proserpine Hospital and Clermont Multi-Purpose Health Service will both welcome two new nurses each and Dysart, Moranbah, Collinsville, Sarina and Bowen hospitals will have one each. Another three nurses are tasked to work in rural relief positions.
“All of these nurses expressed a willingness and interest to work in a rural hospital,” he said.
“In addition to the rural relievers nine of the new recruits will work in rural facilities including Bowen, Sarina, Dysart, Moranbah, Collinsville, Clermont and Proserpine.”
While most are locals who have completed their studies through CQUniversity and James Cook University, graduate nurses have also come from Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and travelled as far as South Aust
alia.
