Four new registered nurses have joined the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service as part of a Queensland-first program to attract people from the city to the country. The nurses are part of the Rural Generalist Registered Nurse Program workforce initiative.

TCHHS executive director of nursing Kim Veiwasenavanua said the initiative aimed to encourage more nurses to transition into rural and remote practice. She said the program was the first of its kind for Queensland.

“It’s about building capacity for nurses working in the rural and remote space and addressing workforce challenges in recruitment and retention for rural and remote communities,” she said.

“We’re very excited to participate in the Rural Generalist program, which complements a number of initiatives we already have within our health service to attract and retain staff.’

Ms Veiwasenavanua said the program created a supported learning pathway for registered nurses to provide the skills, knowledge, and ability to practice competently in rural and remote settings.

“Participating registered nurses will complete a four-month placement in various sites in our remote primary health care facilities whilst completing theory modules,’’ she said.

Rural Generalist nurse program participant Robyn Wilson, who is currently doing her placement at Laura Primary Healthcare Centre, said she had long been interested in rural and remote nursing.

She started studying externally for her nursing degree with James Cook University’s Cairns Campus, while living in Darwin and working for the ambulance service.

She then moved to the Cairns region to complete her degree while working in various operational roles for Queensland Health and Queensland Ambulance Service.

“I really focused on rural and remote nursing as part of my degree, as that is where I always wanted to go,’’ she said.

“When I finished my degree in late 2020, I then spent my first year of practice working for the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service on Thursday Island, at both the hospital and GP practice there and I loved it.”

Rural Generalist nurse program participant Tahlia Runge is also keen to continue working in a rural area after completing the program.

Originally from Brisbane where she completed her nursing degree with the Queensland University of Technology, she has been living in Cairns most recently. She is currently working in Napranum but will be heading to another facility in January.

“I’ve always wanted to work in rural and remote areas and jumped at the opportunity to be able to gain employment in such areas whilst being supported and given the opportunity to study relevant courses at the same time,’’ Ms Runge said.

“I would love to continue working in a rural and remote area on completion of this program and I’m definitely interested in staying with the TCHHS.”

This article appeared in Cape York Weekly, 15 November 2022.