Nursing graduates welcomed into the SMHS family
Graduate registered nurse Erica Backhouse
It is an exciting time across South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS), with over 280 graduate nurses and midwives embarking on their chosen career with the support of staff across the service.
Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group (FSFHG) welcomed 240 registered nurses (RNs), enrolled nurses (ENs) and midwives while 43 have been welcomed at Rockingham Peel Group (RkPG). The newly graduated RNs, ENs and midwives were recruited via the Grad Connect process, a collaborative online recruitment system used by WA public hospitals and health services, as well as additional recruitment initiatives across SMHS.
Over a 12-month period, each graduate is supported and mentored in their first year of practice as they make the transition from student to RN, EN or midwife via a professional development transition program with specialty streams including mental health and maternity.
Hear from one of our graduate nurses at RkPG
Graduate RN Erica Backhouse works on the Multi-Stay Surgical Unit (MSSU) at Rockingham General Hospital (RGH) and says that starting her nursing career on a busy ward has given her the opportunities to develop her skills and consolidate her learning in a high pressured, yet supportive environment.
“I have learnt early-on that having strong leadership and an encouraging team behind me ensures that my patients receive the best possible care,” Erica said.
Transitioning from student nurse to RN has given Erica a greater appreciation for exactly how much nurses do in a shift and has increased her awareness of the different roles nurses play, such as being an educator, care provider, and a patient advocate.
“I am highly aware of the importance of the role and the privilege of caring for people during a time of vulnerability. As a student nurse I was uncertain of the significance of reflective practice. However, I have quickly come to realise that as a practising RN, reflecting on my actions ensures I am able to continuously improve and enhance my clinical knowledge,” Erica said.
“I love that every shift is different, and I have the opportunity to learn something new every day. Being able to support people and their families during a time that can be overwhelming and scary is extremely fulfilling and seeing the improvements made by patients is fantastic too.
“I am proud to work for RGH and am passionate about providing excellent health care, every time.”
Hear from a graduate nurse and midwife at FSFHG
Gemma said the support she has received from Principal Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Advisor Deborah Jacobs and the FSH midwifery education team throughout her journey was key.
“I really hope that other indigenous people can have access to this support and education to realise their goals. FSH provides a high standard of support and encouragement and has been outstanding during this employment process,” Gemma said.
FSH Midwifery Manager - Ambulatory Leanne Graham said Gemma has immersed herself in the midwifery culture at FSH.
“She has received excellent feedback from the women and families that she has assisted and also from the midwives in the teams that she has worked in,” Leanne said.
“She is a delight to work with and is eager to learn and grow her midwifery skills.”
Graduate RN Leanne Ridgwell (pictured right) works on Ward 6A at FSH where she cares for patients who have undergone specialist surgery such as plastics and urology. Leanne says the work she is doing on the ward is interesting, varied and busy which she loves.
“Ward 6A is not like a general surgical ward. I am receiving so much training in unusual procedures and I am gaining so many skills that will help me to provide great care to patients into the future,” Leanne said.
Plans are underway to bring further graduate nurses and midwives into SMHS as early as October 2021.
Congratulations and a warm welcome to all of our new graduate nurses and midwives across SMHS! We wish you all the best in your careers.
