Ten new nursing graduates and one midwifery graduate started work this month with Central West Hospital and Health Service.
Central West Health Executive Director Healthcare Access and Coordination Karen McLellan said a further group of graduates would be taken on in August to join this month’s 11-strong graduate intake.
“These graduates will be placed across our hospitals and health services, including Winton, Barcaldine, Longreach, and Blackall,” Ms McLellan said.
“The nurse graduates will rotate across various clinical areas, including hospital wards and emergency departments, while our midwifery graduate will join the Longreach Hospital Midwifery Group Practice.
“Graduate nurses will have the opportunity to rotate to other facilities during their first year.
“Generally, Longreach will rotate with Winton and Blackall will rotate with Barcaldine.
“This rotation model is designed to help the graduates gain hands-on experience, applying their training while improving patient care throughout communities within Central West region.’’
Ilfracombe resident and new nurse graduate Kylie Dalzell has lived in the Central West region since 2004.
“Back then, I answered a two-line advertisement in the Courier-Mail that said; ‘looking for a change, come to Birdsville’,’’ Ms Dalzell said.
“So, I did, then I met my husband, we bought a house at Ilfracombe and the rest is history.
“I’ve been with the Central West Hospital and Health Service for 10 years now in different roles, including working for the Chief Executive, the Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services and the Executive Director of Medical Services.
“I’ve also worked with the recruitment team and am currently the state lead for the Patient Advocacy Project that is currently being used in the Wide Bay HHS and South West HHS.
“I always wanted to do nursing, but I did really badly at high school at the time.
“Years later, at the annual new nurse graduate orientation week in Longreach in 2021, I had a conversation with an older graduate, and she said just do it, what do you have to lose.
“So, I enrolled that very week. I then had to complete a bridging course as I hadn’t studied since I left school. My gap year that started in 1996 finally ended in 2022 when I started at university.’’
Ms Dalzell studied for her nursing degree externally with Central Queensland University.
“I have been so lucky to have the support of my husband, family, and friends and the Central West Hospital and Health Service who all helped me during my studies and at home when I had to travel for placements and residential schools,’’ she said.
“And now I’m ready to start a new career in nursing.’’
Ms Dalzell said she was especially passionate about health equity for rural residents and ensuring they received the same care and access to health as their city cousins.
“I would like to be a Nurse Navigator further down the track or work in mental health or palliative care or work in one of our primary health centres,’’ she said.
“Within nursing there are just so many options.’’
Ms McLellan said Central West Health offered a supportive and attractive environment for new nurses and midwives looking to launch their careers.
“We are thrilled to welcome these new nursing graduates,” she said.
“At Central West Health, we are committed to providing comprehensive training and mentorship to help new nurses transition from university into the workforce.”
The 12-month graduate transition program combines theoretical learning with practical assessments, offering graduates mentorship from experienced staff members.
“Our graduates are an integral part of our team, and we are proud to support them as they embark on a rewarding career,’’ Ms McLellan said.
“We hope their first year in the Central West will inspire them to continue their careers here and take advantage of the opportunities we offer.’’