The achievements of 10 graduate nurses were celebrated at the 2016 Graduate Nurse Program Graduation held in the CGHS Lecture Hall.
Graduate Nurse Coordinator, Janelle Stewart, told the gathering it had been a “pleasure” to share their successes.
“I have seen then overcome hurdles and grow from strength to strength to become competent, confident team members of the health care team at CGHS during their 12 month program,” Janelle said.
The Graduate Nurses started at CGHS on February 1, 2016 and each worked fulltime through four rotations. They all rotated through Aged Care/Subacute, Medical and/or Surgical and a Specialty area such as Emergency, The Operating Suite, CCU, and District Nursing.
Janelle said as a group, the graduatres shared their experiences, were supportive of each other and developed strong bonds with each other and other staff members.
“Each one has worked as part of the multidisciplinary teams, contributing to team meetings and care planning for a diverse range of patients and their families in order to provide health and community services that best meet the needs of our community.”
Throughout the year, the participants had nine study days in total. Study days covered topics such as CVADs, Recognising Clinical Deterioration, Documentation, Diabetes, Advanced Physical Assessment, Health and Wellbeing, Stoma and Wound care with Annie Payne.
There was always a debriefing sessions to assist with the transition from the student to the professional nurse, plus activities added in every now and again, such as building a tower or laughter yoga.
“They also played a big part in the successful CGHS GNP Info session for 2017 which was a big success,” Janelle said. “We have successfully increased our Graduates this year to 13 this year.
“At CGHS, we aim to assist the graduate to successfully transition into a knowledgeable and capable health professional. Of the 10 Graduates that started, we have retained seven.”
Carlie Danek has been successful in obtaining work in Medical Ward and Alana Austin, Courtney Alexander and Chelsea Lucas in Surgical Ward. Emily Johnston and Siobhan Broekhof have been successful in obtaining employment in ED as part of the Transition Program.
Emily Pollard is working at Maffra and was unable to attend the graduation as she was working night duties.
After her graduate year, Bernadeth Jayme has returned to Melbourne to be with her family. Unfortunately she could not attend the graduation as she was off on a well-deserved Gold Coast holiday.
Shaneen MacGregor-Davies has left to go to the USA to be with her partner while Morgan Sedman, a “quiet achiever”, has left the area and is currently travelling around Europe for a few months.
Janelle wished all the graduate nurses well in the future endeavours.
Pictured (from left) are graduate nurses, Carlie Danek, Siobhan Broekhof, Alana Austin, Courtney Alexander, Emily Johnston and Chelsea Lucas with their coordinator, Janelle Stewart.
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