Twenty-six fresh faced nursing and midwifery graduates were welcomed onto the Mount Isa Hospital campus this week, ready for a week’s orientation before setting off on the first of their four month rotations at the North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS).
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Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Services, Michelle Garner, said the students would have three four-month rotations at different sites and departments within the NWHHS, giving them a year packed with experience.
“Our graduates consistently give us feedback that they get more hands-on experience here in the North West than in the big coastal hospitals.
“We put them to work straight away, and for them, it’s a great start to their career,” Ms Garner said.
Four of the graduates are midwives, and will be based in Mount Isa.
Many of the graduates are from the coast and have never been to the Outback before, but for Emma Fletcher, it is like coming home, as she spent eight years in Mount Isa and had her son here at Mount Isa Hospital in 2007.
“Mount Isa was my first pick. My son is living here with his dad, so it’s a chance to see more of him,” Ms Fletcher said.
She has worked as a wardie, a kitchen hand, an Assistant in Nursing, an Enrolled Nurse, all at West Moreton HHS and now is working as a Registered Nurse in Mount Isa, after completing her degree at the University of South Queensland.
Megan Janse Van Rensburg drove three days from her home on the Gold Coast to arrive in Mount Isa over the weekend, and saw evidence of the huge stock losses caused by the recent floods.
Her great grandmother had been a nurse but no one else in the family had taken up the career, and she said it looked like a great job and she was more than happy to give it a go.
With a dual degree in nursing and paramedics, she is keen to gain some hands-on experience.
“I chose the North West HHS for the bigger scope of practice, and I’m really interested in using those skills in my career.
“I know I will get a wider variety of experience than in a bigger metropolitan hospital,” she said.
Aside from work, with her first rotation in Cloncurry, Megan is keen to attend a rodeo for the first time, and to learn more about mining.
For Jarod Summers, after 11 years working for Centrelink, it was time for a career change and rural and remote nursing has a definite appeal.
“The North West HHS offers four month rotations which means you get a variety of experiences, and I’m really excited to learn more,” he said.
Jarod’s first rotation is on the surgical ward in Mount Isa, then ED, and then it’s off to Mornington Island for his last rotation. Jarod has been living on Magnetic Island, Townsville,
and is looking forward to experiencing a different kind of island life on Mornington Island.
Although he’s only been in Mount Isa a few days, Jarod is very keen to extend his stay in the North West into a second year.
Nurse Educator, Scott Windsor said the new intake was very appreciative of the care taken with first year practitioners, such as full orientation, a variety of rotations and assisted accommodation.
“We really try and look after our first year practitioners and give them an experience they’re not likely to get anywhere else in Queensland.
“It’s very gratifying when they want to stay on past their first year practice program,” Mr Windsor said.
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