Big increase in west nursing graduates

ASIGNIFICANT increase in nursing and midwifery graduates is set to strengthen the public health system in western Sydney.

This year, 520 graduates will begin their careers in the Western Sydney Local Health District, marking a 137 increase from last year.

The graduates will be stationed at various hospitals, including Auburn, Blacktown, Mount Druitt, and Westmead, as well as other healthcare services.

The group consists of 500 graduate nurses and 20 graduate midwives.

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Health Minister Ryan Park celebrated International Nurses

Day by visiting Westmead Hospital to meet some of the new graduates.

This intake of 520 is part of a record-breaking number of over 3,600 graduate nurses and midwives across 130 public hospitals and health services in NSW this year.

The government aims to recruit more nurses and midwives to reduce wait times in emergency departments and for elective surgeries.

The graduates will receive support and gain valuable experience in a range of clinical settings.

The initiative is welcomed as a step towards improving patient care and supporting healthcare professionals in their lifelong careers.