A record mix of 48 full-time and part-time graduate nurses will take the first step into their new careers with Mackay HHS as part of the 2016 graduate nurse program.
Chief Executive Clare Douglas said more than 100 graduate nurses applied for a position with Mackay HHS.
“Each year we have a growing number of graduate nurses starting with us and this year we are delighted to offer an increased number of places, up from 40 in 2015,” she said.
Most of the nurses will begin work next week however some have already joined us as early as mid-December 2015.
“Our graduate program offers the perfect opportunity to support areas in need such as renal, midwifery, and mental health,” Ms Douglas said.
“This all forms part of our greater plan to fill areas in need by retaining 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.”
Rural facilities will also receive a healthy boost with three nurses appointed to rural relief post graduate positions.
“The rural relief post graduate program allows us to supply registered nurses to our rural facilities working on a six month rotation roster,” Ms Douglas said.
“In addition to the rural relievers 11 of the new recruits will work full-time in rural facilities including Sarina, Dysart, Moranbah, Collinsville, Clermont and Proserpine.”
Retention of current students also plays a role in the success of the program with more than half of last year’s students staying on to work as graduate nurses.
“Many of the new nurses are no strangers to Mackay Base Hospital having completed placements here as students,” Ms Douglas said.
“They have enjoyed their placements and we have received good feedback from their supervisors so have been happy to offer them positions.”
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert welcomes the increase of nurse placements in our region.
“The Labor Palaszczuk Government is committed to putting front line workers back into the health system,” Mrs Gilbert said.
“People living in regional and rural communities deserve to have high quality medical services within their centres. These graduates will play a huge role in delivering quality health care to the Mackay region.”
While most are locals who have completed their studies through CQUniversity and JCU, graduate nurses are also coming from Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Rockhampton and travelling as far as Victoria.
More Information
Danielle Jesser, Media and Communications Manager
mhhs-comms@health.qld.gov.au
Phone 0417 756 221
