Hospitals and multi-purpose heath services will have new faces gracing their hallways with newly graduated nurses and midwives welcomed by Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
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85 registered nurse and midwife graduates will be joining the health district in 2020.
Fifty two registered nurses and one registered midwife have started work, with a further 33 registered nurses starting in August.
One of these recent graduates is Sally Friend, who has started at Murrumburrah-Harden Health Service.
Sally is a familiar face to Murrumburrah-Harden Health Service, having worked in the kitchen and having undertaken from Assistant in Nursing (AIN) training with the hospital.
"I'm quite nervous but I'm excited for my learning, I know I have lots of support here," she said.
Sally will be stationed in in Harden for six months before going to Young for a further six months.
She said while she hasn't figured out exactly what field she would like to work in down the track, she is keeping an open mind.
"I haven't fully made up my mind, I like palliative care but I also like child and family health so very different things," she said.
Clinical Nurse Educator Marilyn Wales said it's great to have Sally on the team.
"Sally and I had spoken about, a little bit down the track, Sally looking at the second year new grad program, to consolidate what she does this year," she said.
"And of course, we're hoping Sally stays around
"It's great to have Sally on the team, she's always been an enthusiastic worker and very quick to pick up things, it's going to be a good six months for us as well."
Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Ms Karen Cairney said it was wonderful to have so many local graduates seeking to start their careers in a rural setting.
"It is pleasing that MLHD can provide employment to so many local graduates, keeping local people in local hospitals and local communities" she said.
"It is also exciting to welcome graduates from across NSW, to expose them to the career opportunities that MLHD has to offer.
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"The new nurses and midwife will be welcomed and supported with a comprehensive education and mentoring program to assist the safe transition from university into the workplace."
MLHD boasts a 69 percent retention rate of graduates who remain within local hospitals.
"Each nurse and midwife is linked with local nursing and midwifery management and educators so they have access to clinical or personal support when needed," Ms Cairney said.
"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 whilst at university."
Over the year the nurses and midwives will also begin at Batlow, Berrigan, Boorowa, Corowa, Cootamundra, Culcairn, Deniliquin, Griffith, Gundagai, Henty, Hillston, Holbrook, Junee, Lockhart, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Tumbarumba, Tocumwal, Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong and Young.