This week, Northern Health welcomed its largest ever graduate nurse and midwife cohort to date – 77 fresh faces, ready to dive into their healthcare careers this year.

Nursing and midwifery education unit graduate program co-ordinator, Kate Duggan said it’s fantastic to see fresh faces and a sense of nervous excitement amongst the group.

“We look forward to supporting their journey from student to beginner practitioner, as they continue to learn and consolidate upon the years of study they have all completed,” she said.

“Graduate nurses and midwives are critical in ensuring a sustainable workforce. It can be a challenging time as they adjust to becoming part of a diverse organisation, they will be supported at every step along the way.”

The 77 new staff members will each commence a 12-month “transition to practice” graduate program, broken down into two six-month rotations across Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital and Bundoora Centre and exploring 32 different clinical settings.

Amongst the new graduates are a number who were born at Northern Health and are now returning to forge their own careers. This include Sophie Brugada, who was born at Northern Health in 2001 and will be commencing her graduate program on a surgical ward.

“I’ve been working as a RUSON (Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing) here at Northern Health while I’ve been studying,” she said.

“I’m really looking forward to starting my career because I truly cannot wait to be able to make a difference in people’s lives and learn more every day.”

Also born at Northern Health in 2000, Bobby Bhatty completed a Bachelor of Nursing at RMIT University in Bundoora. Mr Bhatty will be commencing his graduate program at the Northern Hospital Epping Emergency Department, where he has been employed as a RUSON within our Aboriginal Cadet Program for the last two years.

“I am most looking forward to being part of a supportive team and developing all my critical thinking and nursing skills this year,” he said.

Originally from Queensland, Trinity Saxby joined Northern Health as a RUSON within our Aboriginal Cadet Program in April 2021, whilst studying a Bachelor of Nursing at La Trobe University in Bundoora, and is excited to start the graduate program.

“I’m really looking forward to starting my nursing career here because Northern Health provides so many opportunities to grow and move toward my career goals in nursing,” she said.

If you see them in the corridors, tearooms or wards be sure to say hello and welcome them to their new workplace.