WAGGA WAGGA WELCOMES 40 NEW GRADUATE NURSES AND MIDWIVES

Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr has announced that 40 graduate nurses and midwives will start work across the electorate this year.

Dr McGirr thanked the graduates, many of whom are starting this month, having already contributed to the COVID-19 workforce response as students.

“Over the past few months, many of these nurses have been hard at work in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s vaccination and testing clinics,” Dr McGirr said.

“They have done an exceptional job and we are so thankful for their ongoing commitment to our community.”

Forty nurses and midwives will be taking up positions in the Wagga Wagga electorate, and will be based at:

-       Wagga Wagga Health Services

-       Batlow MPS

-       Lockhart MPS

-       Tumut District Hospital

Around the state, more than 2800 graduate nurses and midwives will start work in 130 NSW public hospitals and health facilities this year in a boost for the NSW health system.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said more than 40 per cent of the graduates will be working in rural and regional areas of NSW.

“Around 1200 of these fantastic new graduate nurses and midwives will soon be working on the frontline in our regional emergency departments, maternity wards and community teams, making a huge difference in the bush,” Mrs Taylor said.

“As someone who got my start in a regional hospital, I know the skills and experience they gain will set them up for success into their future nursing career.”

“These graduates join us at an incredibly challenging time. We thank them, and all of our nurses, for their contributions to support the health system and the people of NSW.”

Throughout their first year, graduates are provided with opportunities in a variety of clinical settings to ensure they gain a range of experience and consolidate skills and knowledge developed while at university.