Nursing grads prepare to learn
New health staff start careers with focus on expanding knowledge
THE newest cohort of nurses and midwives to start work in the Far North are locked and loaded for learning on the job.
Forty-four new nurses and midwives began orientation at the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service yesterday.
About 60 per cent of the group – the second intake for 2018 – are under 25. The youngest is 20 and the oldest is over 45.
They will be employed on 12-month contracts. Some will be working in areas such as intensive care, medical and surgical wards, or at rural hospitals such as Babinda and Mossman.
The health professionals will be supported by nurse educators and nurse preceptors, to assist them in workshops, clinical days, reflective journaling and debriefing sessions.
Among the group is CQ University nursing graduate Rebecca Rutherford, who will be the only new nurse starting work at Babinda Hospital.
Ms Rutherford, 23, who grew up in Mackay, started her career in aged care and made the natural progression to nursing.
“I’m excited and nervous,” she said. “It’s going to be an awesome experience.
“I’m not going to have other grads there to chat to, but I’ll have all these experienced nurses all to myself to learn from.”
James Cook University graduate Sheridanne Daly is one of two nurses recruited to Mossman Hospital.
Ms Daly, 22, who grew up in Darwin, said she was looking forward to becoming a jack-of-all trades at the rural facility.
“There will be a lot learning experiences,” she said.
“The wards in Cairns Hospital are sort of very focused, whereas you need to know a lot in the smaller hospitals.”