22 September 2021
Sixteen of our current nursing students have already secured jobs prior to their end of year graduation as part of the State Government’s COVID-19 response.
The McGowan Government announced this month that an additional 170 graduate nurses would be employed in public health as part of the COVID-19 response on top of the 1100 newly qualified nurses who will join the WA health system this year and 1200 next year.
The extra COVID-response positions mean 1,270 graduates will be employed this year compared with the 763 graduate nurses that were recruited last year.
Of the 16 students from our Joondalup and Mount Lawley campuses, 14 graduate nurses have been offered positions at hospitals with an additional two employed in the COVID-19 response team in State-run vaccination clinics.
The number of students is also set to increase as more graduate positions become filled for next year.
Nursing graduate Rebecca said she was excited to begin her career in nursing after securing a graduate position at Bentley Hospital in mental health following completion of a Diploma of Nursing.
“I will be working as a mental health nurse at Bentley Hospital either with the adolescents, adults or older adults.
“I have a lived experience with mental health so now that I am going to be a nurse, I want to give back to the industry that has helped me in my life,” she said.
“I love TAFE, we have awesome facilities, and the lecturers are great, really knowledgeable, they still work in industry and lecture here so can pass that knowledge onto us.”
The State Government recently announced that they will be offering 170 graduate positions in COVID-response roles, employing 75% more nurses this year.
NMTAFE Director of Nursing Helen Hull said it was a great outcome for the 16 nursing students.
“Having a position already secured prior to completing their qualification is a fantastic result for our graduates and a reflection on the quality of our course,” she said.
"I anticipate more students will receive graduate programs in the coming weeks and months.”
“The State Government’s increased commitment to the WA Health System means there is no better time for students to enrol to study nursing or related health services courses at NMTAFE with employment opportunities never better.”
Applications are now open for 2022 nursing and health services courses at NMTAFE.
Find out more about our nursing courses.
Photo: Rebecca has secured a graduate position after she completes her studies in enrolled nursing at NMTAFE Joondalup (McLarty Avenue) campus.