NEW NURSES: new Registered Nurses Indira Lena and Ebonie Campbell with Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Cameron Duffy
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) is welcoming dozens of new nurses to its health service this week.
A total 85 nurses and midwives will complete two six-month rotations across Cairns Hospital, as well as heading out to our rural hospitals, following the start of their orientation training today.
CHHHS executive director of nursing and midwifery, Cameron Duffy, said the graduates would work in all areas of the Health Service, including cancer care, day surgery, orthopaedics, respiratory and renal ward, gastroenterology ward, and mental health.
‘We are very excited to welcome this large cohort of 80 registered nurses (RNs) and 5 midwives to our Health Service,’ Mr Duffy said.
‘These graduates will be working for various units across our vast region, including dialysis at Mossman Multipurpose Health Service - the first time for a rotational program between dialysis and a rural hospital.
‘The program allows the graduates to access support and professional development throughout the year, so there are plenty of opportunities to develop their nursing and midwifery career.’
He said the graduate program helped ease the new staff’s transition from students to registered nurses and midwives.
‘With a structured framework, we help them apply theory and practice to further develop their knowledge and skills,’ he said.
Ebonie Campbell, 30, is one of the new RNs starting work this week in Cairns Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Acute Stroke Unit.
Ms Campbell, who is born and bred in Cairns, said she decided to study nursing to give back to her community.
‘I worked in administration for 10 years, but it wasn’t my dream,’ she said.
‘I really wanted to do work where I am helping people and making a difference.
‘My mum works in mental health for Queensland Health and seeing what she has done with her career has played a big part in me deciding to go into nursing.
‘I am really excited about working as an RN at the hospital.’
Indira Lena, 21, who grew up in Cairns and studied nursing at James Cook University, said it was a privilege to be part of patient’s health journey.
She will be placed in Cairns Hospital’s surgical and orthopaedic units during her two six-month rotations.
‘As a nurse you see people at their most vulnerable, dependent and confused moments,’ she said.
‘To be fortunate enough to be able to restore independence, invulnerability and clarity in a role where life takes its first and last breath is truly heart-warming and the greatest privilege anyone could grant another person.’