Six nurses from the North West Hospital and Health Service (HHS) are fast tracking their postgraduate studies by taking advantage of the Acute Transition to Paediatric Nursing program.

Paediatric Ward Acting Nurse Unit Manager Melissa Holden said this year was the largest intake the hospital has had for the specialty program.

“The 12-month program is for registered nurses to acquire knowledge and skills to safely and effectively provide care for paediatric patients and their families. We have one nurse who has recently completed the program and the other five nurses will have completed the program by the end of the year,” she said.

“Being able to offer this program to paediatric nurses working in rural and remote locations, gives our team a great opportunity to upskill and provide the best care to our community.”  

Registered Nurse Sophie Sheather is the first participant in Mount Isa to complete the program since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has been a great experience to get back into professional development and I cannot speak highly enough of this program,” she said.

“We work through modules, written assessments and clinical assessments over the 12 months which may seem daunting, but there is support throughout the whole journey.

“I was able to complete my postgraduate certificate in paediatrics quicker by doing the program and am now completing a master’s in advanced clinical nursing.”

Upon completion of the program, nurses gain tertiary credit for an applicable postgraduate program and can continue to pursue further studies.

With unique opportunities working in rural and remote areas, North West HHS continues to be a health service of choice for nurses looking to build rewarding careers.