Graduate nurse says she’s a ‘jack of all trades’ thanks to a stint in the country

Graduate Registered Nurse Chloe Lagrenade traded in city life for a short stint in the Pilbara and wishes she had done it sooner.

“Metro hospitals have your specialist teams but in country, you get to experience it all. I think that exposure is incredibly important in your first year as a nurse,” Chloe said.

“There are days when I work in day surgery, theatre and recovery and others where I’m helping in outpatient care.

“Smaller hospitals show you holistic patient care. You become a jack of all trades.”

Chloe joined the GradConnect program as a perioperative nurse with King Edwards Memorial Hospital and jumped at the opportunity for a rotation in Karratha.

“I completed a few placements in the country hospitals, including Geraldton and loved it so I’ve always wanted to go back,” she said.

According to Chloe, metro graduates shouldn’t underestimate the draw of country WA.

“Short stints in the bush are a great way to see Western Australia,” she said.

“Karratha was bigger than I expected – the first week I was here there were art and music community events on.

“Plus on my days off, I’ve been camping at Karijini and travelled to Broome. There’s lots to discover close by.”

But it’s the invaluable learning in country that Chloe says has helped her be a better nurse.

“My confidence grew so much because you really have to step up you game – but the beauty is you’re surrounded by supportive nurses who take you through it all.

“Now I’m back in Perth, I know so much more about what a patient and their family have been through if they’ve been airlifted here from the country.

“These are all important factors that influence how we treat our patients.”

Acting Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Yvonne Bagwell said newly qualified nurses and midwives have an important role to play in shaping the next generation of our workforce.

“WA Country Health Service gives graduates experience in a variety of clinical settings, developing clinical skills and judgement to treat unique patient presentations,” she said.

“We are thankful for every graduate nurse and midwife that chooses country.”

Newly qualified registered nurses and midwives that start working in regional WA after 1 July 2023 may be eligible for up to $12,000 support on HECS-HELP loans.

Keen to add country health to your roster as a graduate nurse? Apply for the GradConnect program before 17 July 2023.