Kilmore District Health has welcomed six new employees in its graduate nurse program this year.
The program offers the opportunity for newly-registered nurses to transition into their nursing practice in a supportive environment that facilitates the transition from student nurse to a confident, practicing registered nurse.
The graduate nurses will be working across several clinical areas throughout the year.
Kilmore District Health, KDH, clinical education coordinator Amanda Byrne said rural nursing had a lot to offer new graduate nurses and helped broaden a graduate nurse’s knowledge through a variety of hospital settings.
The program includes a year full of new experiences and responsibilities with learning opportunities and a variety of support systems in place.
Ms Byrne said the graduates undertook onsite study days to enhance critical thinking and practical skills.
They develop case study presentations, work on quality improvement projects and have regular individual mentoring sessions.
“Together all of these elements help the graduate nurse develop into a proficient healthcare professional,” she said.
“We are proud to provide the important opportunity to welcome and support newly-registered nurses begin their healthcare career and to enable others to undertake post-graduate studies, becoming specialised in either midwifery or perioperative fields.”
Along with the graduate nurse program, KDH has also welcomed two current staff members into postgraduate midwifery nursing and a new staff member into postgraduate perioperative nursing for 2022. The nurses will be supported through their studies to become specialised in their chosen fields.
Acting chief executive Jen Gilham said being able to provide a supportive environment for graduate and post graduate nurses was something the organisation was proud to support.
“I would like to welcome our six new graduates to KDH, it is an exciting time for them as they transition into the nursing profession,” she said.
“I would also like to congratulate our graduate nurses from 2021 who successfully completed the program last year.
“On behalf of the KDH team I wish them all the best for their future endeavours and look forward to continuing working with the four nurses who have transitioned to ongoing staff members.”
