Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch has announced that 153 graduate nurses and midwives will start work across Central Coast Local Health District.
Mr Crouch thanked the graduates, many of whom officially started work this week, having already contributed to the COVID-19 workforce response as students.
“Over the past few months, many of these nurses have been hard at work in our District’s vaccination and testing clinics,” Mr Crouch said.
“They have done an exceptional job and we are so thankful for their ongoing commitment to our community.”
More than 2,800 graduate nurses and midwives will start work across 130 NSW public hospitals and health facilities this year in a major boost for the NSW Health system.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said there are more nurses and midwives in NSW public hospitals than at any other time in history.
“These graduates join us at an incredibly challenging time. We thank them, and all of our nurses, for their contributions to support the health system and the people of NSW,” Mr Hazzard said.
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said more than a third of the graduates will be working in rural and regional areas of NSW.
“Around 1,200 of these fantastic new graduate nurses and midwives will soon be working on the frontline in our regional emergency departments, maternity wards and community teams, making a huge difference in the bush,” Mrs Taylor said.
“As someone who got my start in a regional hospital, I know the skills and experience they gain will set them up for success into their future nursing career.”
The NSW Government is also investing a further 5000 nurses and midwives from 2019-2022 under a record $2.8 billion boost to frontline staff.