Cairns’ Hospital invest in homegrown nursing talent

More than one hundred nursing and midwifery graduates joined the Far North Health service on Monday, with leaders making the most of homegrown talent.

More than one hundred nursing and midwifery graduates joined the Far North Health service on Monday, with leaders making the most of homegrown talent.

This week, Cairns Hospital welcomed 102 nursing graduates, both registered and enrolled nurses, and 7 midwives into a 12-month program across Cairns Hospital and rural Far North hospitals, which will prepare the recent graduates for work across several fields.

New registered nurse and Cairns resident Stephanie Taney previously worked as an enrolled nurse at the hospital before upskilling to work in intensive care.

102 graduating nurses and seven midwives have begun two 6 month rotations at the Cairns Hospital and other regional health services. Nursing Director of the Nursing and Midwifery Education Research Unit Jaya Thomas speaks with erolled nurse Analiese Beauvois and registered nurse Stephanie Taney on the first day of the program. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I get to come to work and care about people,” Ms Taney said.

“I’m looking forward to progressing my career and pursuing things I am passionate about at a higher level,” she added.

Nursing director of nursing midwifery education and research Jaya Thomas said the program had attracted many students like Ms Taney who had moved to the next level in their careers.

“Majority of our graduates are local, our priority is to build and retain our workforce and we are looking at our local students because we know they want to be here while also providing opportunity for external students,” Ms Thomas said.

Nursing director of strategic planning and workforce Tracey Bancroft said diploma of nursing students, or enrolled nurses, were a valuable addition to the cohort in the wake of health pracitioner shortages.

“In the past, the focus was very much on the university pathways but we’ve turned our thinking around and recognised the importance of the enrolled nurse workforce,” Ms Bancroft said.

Enrolled nurse graduate Analiese Beauvois said the program would let her gain experience before the possibility of continued study.

“Through this program, you can really go anywhere with nursing,” Ms Beauvois said.

Originally published as Cairns’ Hospital invest in homegrown nursing talent