Country WA welcomes record number of nurses and midwives

WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is set to welcome nearly 200 newly qualified nurses and midwives in 2024 – a record number.

Working across a variety of clinical settings, the newly qualified nurses and midwives will gain experience in supportive environments, acquiring new knowledge and practice while establishing evidence-based clinical skills.

WA Country Health Service Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said the record intake was part of the organisation’s ongoing work to attract and retain healthcare professionals in the bush.

“We are working really hard to incentivise a career in country WA for healthcare workers,” Mr Moffet said.

“As well as financial incentives, we offer accommodation subsidies and rental allowances, as well as unmatched professional development opportunities that are exclusive to rural and remote WA,” he added.

Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Yvonne Bagwell said the newly qualified nurses and midwives would be guided through the early stages of their careers by clinical leaders and experts across all seven regions.

“Our newly qualified nurses and midwives have the unique opportunity to work across hospital, community and aged care settings,” Ms Bagwell said.

“Put simply: this broad scope of practise is something they wouldn’t have access to somewhere else.”

Ms Bagwell said WA Country Health Service was able, in part, to attract so many graduate nurses and midwives thanks to the organisation’s specialised professional development program. 

“That’s things like our BACKUP initiative – run from our Command Centre – providing specialist assistance, with a real focus on peer support and education.”

In addition to the latest cohort of newly qualified nurses and midwives, WA Country Health Service also welcomes 11 new participants to the Transition to Rural - AdVEnture and Lifestyle (TRAVEL) Program.

TRAVEL is a unique opportunity to experience adventure and career development, which offers nurses and midwives the chance to experience three country rotations in a 12-month placement.

These newest graduates build on the record number of healthcare professionals welcomed by WA Country Health Service in 2023, including medical interns and pharmacy interns.