Thirty three nursing graduates join South West Hospital and Health Service team

A record number of nursing and midwifery graduates have moved to the region to begin their careers in rural health. Here’s why these healthcare professionals have made the move.

Four registered nurse graduates who will be doing their initial rotation at Roma Hospital (left to right) Annabel Amos-Sillar, Lauretta Peterson, Britney Hackney and Sophie Ewing. Picture: South West Hospital and Health Service.

A total of 33 new nursing, midwifery and paramedicine graduates have started their careers with the South West Hospital and Health Service over the past week.

Roma, St George, Quilpie and Augathella are the areas set to welcome the new graduates as they complete their 12 month graduate program.

All the new graduates will undergo a week’s orientation at Roma Hospital before being assigned to health facilities throughout the region.

South West HHS Nursing and Midwifery Services executive director Chris Small said the February intake was a new record and he hoped to accept another intake of graduates this August.

“It’s wonderful to be welcoming these new graduates to the region and I’m sure that they will enjoy rewarding careers,” Mr Small said.

“They will then work in a variety of areas, including acute medical, surgical, emergency, maternity, aged care, community and primary health and supporting the hospital-based ambulance in the facilities where these are located.

“The size of this year’s intake indicates just how attractive the health service is being viewed by new graduates as an area in which to pursue their careers.”

The South West Hospital and Health Service’s February intake of new registered nurse graduates has started work. Picture: South West Hospital and Health Service.

Charleville born-and-raised Brea Frousheger, who is one of this year’s new South West nurse graduates, said a nursing career was her dream come true.

“Since I was a little girl and had my appendix removed, I have always been eager to pursue a career in nursing, caring for people that are unable to care for themselves when at their most vulnerable,’’ she said.

Ms Frousheger, who did her degree at James Cook University in Townsville, said she was always determined to pursue her career in a country area.

“I have developed a strong attachment to the country lifestyle and healthcare systems,’’ she said.

“Nursing in a rural hospital will give me the opportunity to ‘give back’ in a positive way to a community in which I will be very comfortable.

“I also enjoy the rural lifestyle simply due to its beauty and simplicity, which at times is difficult to explain to people who haven’t yet experienced the lifestyle.’’

Following her week’s orientation at Roma Hospital, Brea will begin her new career at St George Hospital.

Mr Small said the new February graduates also included five midwives and two dual-degree nursing and paramedicine graduates.

Augathella Multipurpose Health Service has landed a new nursing and paramedicine graduate for 2023.

One of the two dual-degree graduates will do six months at Quilpie Multipurpose Health Service and then six months with the Queensland Ambulance Service, while the second will do six months at Augathella Multipurpose Health Service and then six months with QAS.

Mr Small said the dual-degree graduates must still complete the 12 month placement; however the difference for them is that their program is split between working for the health service and the QAS.

“In many of our smaller, more isolated communities, the local ambulance services are operated out of the local health facility by hospital and health service employees,’’ he said.

“As our nurses are first responders to an incident in these situations, it actually makes very good sense for them to have both nursing and paramedical skills.

“It’s also an attractive career option as it allows the successful graduate to choose a career either in nursing or paramedicine, and to swap over more easily later in their careers if they want a change.

“It also improves the capacity of both the health service and the QAS to attract and retain staff as it gives staff more options for their future career progression.’’

Mr Small said the South West Hospital and Health Service formally partnered with QAS in 2018 to introduce the dual-trained registered nurse/paramedic program – the first in Queensland – following an initial earlier trial.

“I wish each and every one of the nurses starting over the next few weeks the best of luck as they embark on this next stage of their careers.”