The region is experiencing a critical nursing shortage, with hundreds of job vacancies across the south-west.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
On any given week, job search sites consistently show more than 300 vacancies in the healthcare system, with staff needed across a range of disciplines.
South West Healthcare executive director of nursing and midwifery services Gaynor Stevenson said the COVID-19 pandemic had put even more pressure on nursing numbers.
Across the region health services are predicting shortages in all areas of nursing, particularly in aged care.
"Many hospitals, particularly in regional and rural areas, have an ageing workforce and look to enrolled nurses to help fill the gaps," Ms Stevenson said.
"We will continue to offer opportunities to enrolled nurses. Their skillset is always a welcome addition to our South West Healthcare nursing workforce."
READ MORE:
Western District Health Service director of aged care services at Coleraine and Penshurst Bronwyn Roberts said WDHS had multiple casual, part-time and full-time positions for personal care workers, healthcare workers and nurses.
Mrs Roberts said TAFE was the health service's major recruitment ground for nurses.
"At Coleraine, I think we've employed every healthcare student we've had," she said.
"Once they get to a certain level in their course, we can employ them on a casual basis or part-time as a healthcare worker, which gives valuable practical experience and also provides them with an income."
I think we've employed every healthcare student we've had.
She said demand for jobs in health and aged care was predicted to continue increasing.
"There has been a lot written about the predicted nursing workforce shortage which is happening for a number of reasons, including an ageing workforce and ageing population."
It is projected there will be a shortage of 110,000 direct aged care workers within a decade and more than 400,000 workers by 2050.
Following minimum staffing ratios set by the Royal Commission into Aged Care, it is estimated 57,000 extra nurses are needed across the country.
Placements put on hold through outbreak
The pandemic has put further pressure on nursing resources in the region.
During Warrnambool's latest coronavirus outbreak a number of medical placements were put on hold.
A Melbourne nurse told The Standard she was told her three-week placement was cancelled at the Warrnambool Base Hospital due to the COVID-19 outbreak, leaving her scrambling to replace the shifts she'd taken off for the placement.
South West Healthcare chief executive Craig Fraser said those would continue as soon as possible.
"Some postponements of placements have occurred due to redeployment of staff to front line response," he said.
"We still have a number of students on site and students will continue to return as soon as possible."
'I wouldn't want to do anything else' says nurse of 35 years
For Mrs Roberts, a career in nursing can't be beaten.
"I've been a nurse for 35 years and wouldn't want to do anything else," the WDHS nurse said.
"You require empathy and compassion but you have to be highly skilled to make a positive difference in people's lives. It's such an honour to be able to do that."
WDHS has a 12-month graduate program for nurses, a clinical skills lab at the Hamilton campus and post-graduate opportunities for different career pathways.
The course gave Brenda Scott a mid-life opportunity to pursue her passion.
After working in finance and as an operations manager in the earthmoving industry for almost 30 years, Ms Scott studied a Diploma of Nursing after it became a free TAFE course under a state government initiative. She is now working at WDHS.
"I love helping people who need help. I've always had an affinity with elderly people and I just love hearing their stories," she said.
Portland District Health director of nursing Ros Nagorcka said there was a desperate need for nurses across all health agencies.
"Enrolled nurses are very much part of our workforce in aged care, sub-acute and acute wards," Ms Nagorcka said.
"Anyone who does well in their nursing course will be able to find a nursing job."
IN OTHER NEWS:
- Warrnambool Racing Club has successful crowd trial
- Vaccine mandate could make certain south-west CFA brigades "unviable"
- Accused man threatened Warrnambool hospital staff with used syringe
- New COVID-19 exposure sites listed in Hamilton
- Bombers delist south-west export Marty Gleeson after 97-game stint at AFL level
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark https://www.standard.net.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines and newsletters.
- Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Tap here to open our Google News page.
- Join our Courts and Crime Facebook group and our dedicated Sport Facebook group
- Subscribe