By Craig Donaldson

Registered nurses are high on the government’s skills shortage list, so when Rachel Buckley graduated from University of Technology Sydney with a Bachelor of Nursing in 2008, the nursing world was literally her oyster.

Rachel applied for work at two hospitals – one public and one private – and was offered work at both.

“I was so glad I chose North Shore Private because it’s definitely met all my expectations,” she says.

Rachel undertook the hospital’s 12-month graduate program last year, which involves three rotations in order to acquire training and experience in different clinical settings.

For the first four months Rachel worked in the intensive care unit, followed by the neurosurgical ward for four months and then the hospital’s oncology out patient clinic, The Northern Cancer Institute, for the remainder of the graduate program.

“I received heaps of support from staff, managers and educators. That is just so critical when you’re a new nurse,” she said.

In addition to a heavy emphasis on informal training, the hospital runs a formal mentoring program in which senior staff members “buddy up” with new graduates to help support and educate.

At the end of the new graduate program, participants are encouraged to apply for a job in one of the areas in which they enjoyed the work.

As a new nurse, Rachel wanted to keep her general nursing ward skills sharp but also learn in the specialty area of oncology, so she applied for two roles – to which the hospital agreed.

“It’s been terrific that the managers let me do that, so I now work two days a week in the ward and three days in the Northern Cancer Institute,” she said.

“I able to see the same patients in and out every week and also get to know their family, which is really rewarding.

“In the ward, I see a different perspective where I help people with post-operative and general nursing care, so that’s been a great experience too.”

Rachel plans to continue working in both the ward and Northern Cancer Institute, and eventually specialise in oncology nursing.

“A lot of people think it’s good to work in a public hospital because you get more experience,” she said. “But I actually think you have this opportunity at North Shore Private as well receiving excellent education and support from experienced colleagues.

“It’s a great place to work and I have made a lot of friends so I definitely see myself staying at North Shore Private Hospital long-term.”

North Shore Private Hospital staff will be at Warringah Mall during the week of June 7 to June 14 to promote its new development and employment opportunities. An Open Day will also take place on Monday, June 7 in the Hospital Conference centre at 3 Westbourne Street, St Leonards.   

For further information please contact Sally Bartlett on 84253023.

CareerOne.com.au, May, 2010.