Graduate nurses and midwives kickstart careers at Townsville HHS

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service will officially welcome 123 new nursing and midwifery graduates to the front line of health in coming weeks, with the first cohort of 72 commencing this week.

Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair Tony Mooney said welcomed the graduates and applauded them for their choosing a profession focussed wholly on caring for the community.

“These graduates will enhance the already world-class care provided at The Townsville Hospital and Health Service,” he said.

“Our nursing and midwifery workforce is passionate and I know these newly graduated nurses will invigorate patient care with their enthusiasm and compassion for others

“There are many nursing experiences to be had in our health service including the chance to nurse in unique communities such as Charters Towers, Ingham, Ayr, Home Hill, Richmond, Hughenden and Palm Island.

“I wish them the best of luck and encourage them to delve deep into exploring their new profession.”

For David Sheldon, an Aboriginal man from the Maryborough region of Queensland, the inspiration to become a registered nurse came from his years with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as an Indigenous recruitment officer.

“I had the opportunity to travel throughout Australia providing an opportunity for remote Indigenous communities’ young men and women to consider a career in defence.

“I often travelled to these communities with health organisations which garnished my interest in one-day pursuing a career in health.”

David said despite his vast career in the defence force, nursing was always in the back of his mind.

“I was first Aboriginal army aviation crewman observer and co-pilot in Kiowa helicopters and spent time with Australian Aerospace teaching ADF members the digital navigation and systems management processes of MRH-90 helicopters.

“Deep down though I always had a connection to helping people so I commenced nursing at James Cook University in 2015 and am about to start as a registered nurse with the corrections health unit at the Townsville prison,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to be a positive influence on my patients and establishing open communication about health with all patients I care for.

“I’m in a privileged position to do my part to close the health gap, especially with first nation’s males and will relish the opportunity to work in the corrections health unit.”

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