Narrandera Hospital is excited to welcome newly graduated Registered Nurse Julie Hutchison to the team as part of the Gradstart program.

For Julie, a Narrandera local, becoming a Registered Nurse has been a long journey.

“I started studying nursing straight out of school but I stopped to have a family,” said Julie.

“I spent 20 years raising 6 children and working in the family plumbing business, then once my youngest started school I reapplied to university and decided to have another go at nursing.”

Julie spent last week in orientation in Wagga and started at Narrandera Hospital on Monday.

“The past week we have been in orientation doing some great training to get us ready to go onto the ward. We finished studies at the end of last year so the training is great refresher in things like basic life support and wound care techniques as well as helping us to understand our role on the ward and the supports that we will have as part of the Gradstart program.”

During her studies Julie completed practical placements at many facilities, but this will be her first time working at her local hospital.

“I completed pracs all over the District – Wagga, Leeton, Culcairn, Griffith and also Orange.

“It’s great to finally be back home, working here at Narrandera Hospital where I had always planned to.

“I’m excited to get hands on and put what I have learned into practice with the support of the great team here in Narrandera.”

Julie is one of more than 50 newly graduated registered nurses to secure one of highly competitive Gradstart positions with Murrumbidgee Local Health District. The nurses will be based at facilities across the district including Narrandera, Griffith, Wagga, Deniliquin and Berrigan.

District Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Christine Stephens said that as part of the Gradstart program new nurses are supported with a comprehensive education and mentoring program to assist the safe transition from university into the workplace.

“Each graduate nurse is linked with local nursing and midwifery staff, nurse educators and managers to ensure they have access to the support needed during their entry into the nursing workforce,” said Ms Stephens.

“The newly commencing graduate nurses bring enthusiasm and excitement to the next stage of their careers and will be a welcome addition to our existing dedicated workforce.”

For more information about the Gradstart program head to the NSW Health website or contact the Nursing and Midwifery team at Murrumbidgee Local District by email MLHD-Gradstart@health.nsw.gov.au.