Northern NSW Local Health District Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Annette Symes and Member for Tweed Geoff Provest were on hand to meet and welcome the latest round of Nursing Graduates to the Tweed Byron Health Service Group this week.
Amongst the group was Pottsville man Cameron Stevenson who swapped looking after computers for looking after people.
The former Southern Cross University student was among 32 new nursing staff to start in the Tweed, Murwillumbah District, Byron District and Mullumbimby Hospitals this week.
“I was the help desk person (in IT),” Cameron said of his former career.
“Most of my knowledge in IT was the person-to-person contact, helping people with their computer.”
He said he soon realised that he really liked dealing with people and helping them.
“I come from a family of nurses and educators,” he laughed.
“It’s in my gene pool. My mum and dad are primary school teachers but my aunts and uncles and cousins are in nursing.”
Cameron, who graduated late last year after three years’ study at Southern Cross, is now working just across the road at Tweed Hospital. He said he was now working in cardiology and – an area that interested him greatly.
“I’ve just had my second day without mentors – it is daunting and a huge responsibility,” he said.
Across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSW LHD) a total of 62 First Year new graduate nurses and midwives will be working in our hospitals.
Chris Crawford, Chief Executive said, “We are very pleased to welcome the new graduate nurses and midwives, who have chosen to take a rural placement and work in our hospitals.
“Nurses and midwives are an indispensable part of the health system and are central to the care of our patients in both the hospital and community setting,” Mr Crawford added.
The Tweed Byron Health Service Group has 32 new graduate nurses and midwives.
This year four will work in the Mental Health Service, while the other 29 will work across The Tweed, Murwillumbah District, Byron District and Mullumbimby & District Memorial Hospitals.
Annette Symes, NNSW LHD Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery said, “Nurses and midwives are a vital part of the health system, who deliver a high level of care in a range of situations, which are often challenging.
“Our Clinical Nurse Educators and ward-based staff who mentor nursing graduates play an essential role in orientating the new graduate nurses and midwives to the hospital environment.
“These new nursing and midwifery positions provide opportunities for talented young health professionals to learn and grow, as well as strengthening our health system.
“It is hoped that these nurses and midwives will enjoy their experience working in a rural setting and decide to stay, or consider returning to the area in the future,” said Ms Symes.
