Locally owned and independent
November 9, 2023
The Northern Rivers Times
NEWS 13
RECORD NUMBER OF NEW NURSES IN 2023, TAFE NSW GIVES YOUNG PEOPLE A CAREER HEAD-START
T
AFE NSW is meeting the demand of the
healthcare workforce by providing a pipeline of skilled workers, including some bright young students looking to carve out a lifelong career in healthcare. The nursing workforce has grown by almost
in Nursing also form
everything I learned
a critical part of our
at TAFE NSW to my
nursing workforce.
role. It was extremely
NNSWLHD values our
rewarding, and I was
partnership with TAFE
able to help clients
NSW in providing
living with dementia.
education and training
I’ve learned a lot
for nurses at certificate
about patience and
and diploma level.”
understanding, and how
Ms Duffy said 2023
to talk to and reassure
has seen a record
clients.”
number of new nurses
John said the TAFE
and midwives enter the
NSW environment has
building as the third most
NNSWLHD.
prepared him to excel the
common non-school
“This year, a
workforce.
qualification in Australia.
record 178 new
“My TAFE NSW
This trend couldn’t come
nurses and midwives
teachers are so helpful,
at a better time, with
started working for
and our classroom is
demand for nurses set
NNSWLHD. This is an
a simulated clinical
to grow by close to 14%
increase on the 163 new
environment, with
over the next three years.
graduates employed in
real hospital beds and
Katharine Duffy,
2022, and NNSWLHD
facilities that we use to
Director of Nursing and
expects to take on even
role play. My training
Midwifery, Northern
more graduate nurses in
has helped me become
NSW Local Health
2024,” she said.
more mindful of how
District (NNSWLHD),
At the time of year
to deliver help and
said qualified nurses
when many young
assistance for my clients
play an integral role in
Australians are
in the workplace.
providing high-quality,
considering career
Ms Duffy said students
compassionate, and
pathways, 17 year-old
person-centred care to
TAFE NSW Lismore
all patients across the
student, John Ray, is
region.
a step ahead of the
“Nursing education
pack. The year 11
spans a vast range
6% in the year to May 2023, and has overtaken
like John are an essential
17 year-old TAFE NSW Lismore student, John Ray
part of enabling the
Assistance (Assistant in
to help us find something
field.”
Nursing) in year 10.
we were interested in.
This skills John has
“I’ve always had an
The nursing course was
gained have enabled him
Mullumbimby High
interest in the medical
really interesting, and
to volunteer at the Byron
each new cohort of
of knowledge and
School student started his
field, and my high school
I thought it was a good
Shire Respite Centre in
nurses and to supporting
capabilities, and Enrolled
journey to a Certificate
offered an eight-week
way to get a head start
Brunswick Heads.
them as they transition
nurses and Assistants
III in Health Services
TAFE NSW trial course
and secure jobs in this
“I was able to apply
into their roles,” she said.
future workforce. “We always look forward to welcoming
FULLY FUND THE FLOOD RECOVERY
State and federal Labor governments have found $11.1 billion dollars to subsidise the fossil fuel industry over the last financial year. And yet, thousands of flood survivors are still waiting for the promised $0.7 billion for the Resilient Homes Program to pay for buybacks, retrofits and house-raises for flood-affected homes. If we can afford to waste billions of dollars on coal and gas, we can afford to fully fund the flood recovery.
TAMARA SMITH MP MEMBER FOR BALLINA
