Country health program helps Georgie return to frontline nursing
South West Registered Nurse Georgie Nock is back caring for patients thanks to a WA Country Health Service initiative that provides support and supervision for nurses returning to the workplace following a break in service.
Through WA Country Health Service’s Registered Nurse Re-Entry Program, returning nurses are able to complete the required hours of supervised practice before being granted full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
WA Country Health Service Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Maria Flynn said the program was providing a streamlined process to negotiate the re-registration along with direct supervision from senior nurses.
“We’ve worked hard to provide supports for nurses looking to return to the workforce and we’re encouraged by the feedback we’re getting from nurses returning through this and other pathways.
“We’re also supporting around half a dozen nurses seeking to undertake refresher training after a one-to three-year break.”
Ms Flynn said refresher and re-entry programs were just one of the avenues helping the health service to attract and retain staff in country WA.
“Our efforts to recruit have resulted in record numbers of medical interns, graduate nurses and midwives, and intern pharmacists joining the organisation in 2024.
“In the last three months alone, the organisation had welcomed almost 200 nurses and since the start of the year, almost 300 medical staff.”
Georgie Nock said the program had allowed her to regain her registration and had also helped her to regain confidence in her skills.
“When you restart, you’re given direct supervision and then as you gain confidence, the knowledge and skills come back.”
Georgie – who had previously worked in some of Perth’s busiest tertiary hospitals – said the transition back to nursing was not only a change of pace but also offered a change of focus.
“In small country hospitals in places like Manjimup you get a broader experience of nursing,” Georgie said.
“It’s great, you get a lot of opportunity to move around and upskill, in fact it’s encouraged.”
Georgie praised her supervisors at Warren Health Service as well as the WA Country Health Service Nursing Education team for their support throughout the process.
“There’s a lot of support, they’re always available for feedback and advice and the local team have been fantastic.
“I’m really enjoying ward nursing and looking forward to theatre and theatre recovery which is something I’ve had a lot of experience with in the past and looking forward to gaining more ED experience as well.”
If you’re interested in finding out how the program can support you to re-enter the nursing workforce, please contact WACHSNurseManagerWorkforceInitiatives@health.wa.gov.au.