Graduate nurses choose Stawell
The class of 2022 graduate nurses who completed their rotations with Grampians Health at Stawell have committed to the health provider post graduation.
Four nurses, three from Horsham and a fourth from Melbourne, received their diploma in nursing after completing their rotations at Stawell hospital at a graduation ceremony.
Grampians Health clinical educator Katie Lovett said nurse graduates Amanda White, Danielle Simonsen, Kate Ryan-wills and Stephanie Doran-brown completed medical rotations in acute medical and surgical oncology, theatre and district nursing.
She said they also gained exposure to the hospital’s urgent-care centre.
“They have all decided to take permanent work at Grampians
Health because they enjoyed their rotations here. Usually, we have three graduate nurses each year, but in 2022 it was four, which has been amazing,” she said.
Ms Lovett said all graduate training was completed at the Stawell campus and its newest nurses claimed permanent employment in acute medical, surgical, oncology, theatre and district nursing.
“They’ve also completed courses such as the Rural Urgent Care Nursing course, which is through the Alfred Hospital but we offer it here,” she said.
“They’ve learned how to cannulate, use picks, ports, interpret ECGS, recognise and respond to clinical deterioration, and all are competent for advance life support,” she said.
“They are all happy to travel to Stawell for their work, too. That’s how much they love it here.”
Graduate nurse Kate Ryan-wills said she had worked at other health facilities in Western Victoria but felt she was at home in Stawell.
“I feel like I’ve been nurtured and supported a lot more than I have at any other health facility,” she said.
“A lot of people think that with a smaller organisation you don’t get as many opportunities, but I feel a small organisation in a rural town gives you a lot more opportunity than you would get in a bigger hospital.
“I was lucky enough to train in district nursing while I was here, so I’ve got to know the town and the hospital, and I have learned from the community as well.”