When 26 new graduate nurses and midwives descend on Mount Isa Hospital next month, they will be well looked after, thanks to the creation of a new position.
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Funded by the office of Queensland’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, the new Clinical Facilitator Transition Support position was happily received by Maddy van Hunnik.
Ms van Hunnik knows what it feels like to be a new nurse graduate starting work in a hospital or health facility, as she was one herself only two years ago.
It’s been an interesting career path for Maddy, who came to Mount Isa five years ago, with her partner for his employment.
Still studying for her nursing degree, she got a job as close to nursing as she could find – in Human Resources with the North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS).
Another job still with NWHHS, in Occupational Health and Safety saw her finish her nursing studies and become a graduate herself in 2016.
“I spent six months in Intensive Care Unit, then got a job in theatre, in anaesthetics and recovery and really found my niche,” Ms van Hunnik said.
“It can be a very clinically demanding environment, dealing with acute situations and that really binds the clinicians together as a team, and I loved that and learnt a lot,” Ms van Hunnik said.
She’s been released from her permanent position in theatre for this new position, and said she will get the best of both worlds, as she will be spending a lot of time ‘on the floor’ with the new grads.
“It’s really a support position to help steer them in the right direction, while encouraging independence.”
“I am passionate about graduates, and really want to continue down this pathway, working with people to achieve a common goal.”
Ms van Hunnik said the new position also encompasses the North West HHS Professional Practice Model that provides a framework to achieve excellence in nursing practice.
“We’re looking at changing our culture, bettering ourselves and creating new pathways for our patients.”
As well as new graduate nurses, Ms van Hunnik will be helping transition newly arrived overseas trained nurses and undergraduate nursing students and TAFE students.
