North West Hospital and Health Service (HHS) has welcomed its 2026 First Year Practice (FYP) nurses and midwives for 2026, with 17 new clinicians stepping into scrubs and into their rural and remote careers across the North West.
This years cohort includes 12 First Year Practice (FYP) Registered Nurses and 5 FYP Midwives, all ready to swap textbooks for real-world experience in one of Queensland’s most diverse and remote healthcare environments.
Seven of the FYP nurses will be based at Mount Isa Hospital, while five will take up positions in Level 2 remote facilities across the North West, delivering hands-on care and becoming part of tight-knit community teams where every day brings something different.
The five FYP midwives will support maternity services in Mount Isa, with three joining the Maternity Core team and two entering the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), providing continuity of care for women and families throughout their pregnancy journey.
Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Karen Slater said rural graduate programs offer unmatched breadth of experience and opportunity.
“There is something incredibly special about starting your career in the North West,” Karen said.
“Our graduates won’t just observe, they’ll be hands-on, supported by experienced clinicians, and exposed to a wide range of clinical settings that help fast-track their professional growth.”
Supported by the Transition Support Team in the Professional Practice Support Unit (PPSU), Nurse Unit Managers, Directors of Nursing, Nurse Educators and Clinical Facilitators, the graduates will undertake a structured 12-month program designed to build confidence, capability and resilience.
“Our goal is simple — support them well, grow their skills, and hopefully see many of them choose to stay and build their careers here,” said Cassandra Bailey, Nursing Director Professional Practice Support Unit.
North West HHS extends a warm welcome to the 2026 First Year Practice cohort as they begin a year of learning, growth and meaningful service to communities across Mount Isa and the remote North West. We look forward to welcoming an additional 5 FYP nurses and 4
FYP midwives in the next few months, increasing our support to 26 FYPs for the start of the year.
In rural and remote healthcare, you don’t just do a job – you belong to something bigger.