'Incredible stepping stone' for young nurses

Bundaberg's Friendly Society Private Hospital has launched an innovative partnership with local high schools aimed at attracting and training the next generation of nurses and carers.

The vocational training program, the first of its kind in Queensland, was created in response to the growing shortage of healthcare workers across the country.

The hospital, also known as The Friendlies, has welcomed its first intake of Year 12 students from Shalom College and Bundaberg State High School.

"It's important that we encourage young people into the profession and give them practical skills," said its Director of Clinical Services and Patient Safety, Sandy Blake.

"These students are doing the theoretical component at school and will come to The Friendlies for practical training one day a week.

"They'll be going to the same ward each week, helping the nurses and interacting with patients."

The 14 students have started their practical placements as part of the Certificate III course in Health Service Assistance, which will qualify them to work as an Assistant in Nursing.

Ms Blake said they would wear uniforms and be treated as part of the hospital team.

"They'll be undertaking tasks like making beds, fetching and carrying for patients," she said.

"We'll help them to complete their 80 hours of practical placement and my goal is that some of them will stay to work for us afterwards."

Bec Egan, from Bundaberg State High School's Link and Launch program, said the initiative was "an incredible stepping stone" for the students.

"Without practical training their prospects of securing entry-level nursing jobs after graduating Year 12 would be hindered," she said.

The National Skills Commission has predicted that more than nine of out of 10 jobs will require further study after school in its 2021-26 projections, which estimated that there will be an increase of 115,000 positions for registered nurses and aged and disabled carers in that period.

The private health sector, meanwhile, has a shortfall of 8,000 nurses.

Shalom College student Lalana Lynch said the program would help her career pathway into nursing.

"It's just a good opportunity for students. The practical training is quite important if you want to be a nurse, because at school we just do theory work," she said.

Bundaberg State High School's Paige Harris said it was a good way to give students an idea of what it was like working in the healthcare industry.

"It's a good opportunity to try it out. I just love nursing, so it's definitely something that I want to do," she said.

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