Part of an annual intake of more than 300 graduates set to join the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), they will commence the GradStart and MidStart program, which allows candidates to participate in two six-month rotations to a ward or area of their choice.
Former hospital orderly Mitch Sharpe is one of 140 registered nurses starting at Westmead Hospital, along with 20 registered midwives, and said his lifelong goal was to work in emergency or intensive care.
“It feels great that I’ve finished university and can start work – it’s the start of a new journey,” he said.
Thirty graduates also joined the district’s mental health and drug and alcohol services, although 11 of them won’t start until May.
WSLHD director of nursing and midwifery and clinical governance, Caroline Farmer, said the new graduates would work in all clinical areas including paediatrics, emergency and operating theatres.
“As our community increases in size, so are we,” she said.
“These graduates will add to our existing workforce of more than 4,600 nursing and midwifery staff.
