Western Sydney will benefit from 81 new graduate nurses at Nepean Hospital, 45 more than last year, and 13 at Blue Mountains District Anzac Memorial Hospital, in an announcement welcomed today by Stuart Ayres (Member for Penrith), Tanya Davies (Member for Mulgoa), Roza Sage (Member for Blue Mountains) and Bart Bassett (Member for Londonderry).
The Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner has announced the first of a record 2,163 new graduate nurses and midwives who have been offered positions in 102 hospitals across the state this year.
The local members welcomed the announcement as a boost for the Western Sydney community and hardworking local hospital staff.
Mrs Skinner said the increase of more than 500 additional nurses than last year is further progress towards the NSW Government’s commitment to provide 2,475 extra nurses over 4 years.
“Our hard working nurses and midwives are central to the strength of our public health system and I am pleased to announce today’s record number of positions,” Mrs Skinner said.
“The NSW Government is committed to boosting our nursing workforce which is why we have allocated 2,163 new graduate nurse positions – 500 more than last year.
"It’s particularly pleasing that so many new registered nurses, who have graduated from our universities, have chosen to work in regional and rural areas."
Mrs Skinner said NSW had more than 44,000 registered and enrolled nurses, working in our busy hospitals, community services and health clinics.
“Nurses and midwives are a vital part of the health system, delivering a high level of care in a range of situations which are often challenging such as palliative and chronic care, mental health and acute care,” Mrs Skinner said.
“The new nursing and midwifery positions will provide opportunities for talented young health professionals to learn and grow as well as strengthening our health system.”
While the new graduates will start in most hospitals over the coming weeks, specific start dates will be determined by Local Health Districts.
