Nursing graduate Carla Toonen was a high school mathematics and science teacher until a major car accident in 2017 landed her in the Intensive Care Unit in the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service. This accident inspired her to pursue a career in nursing.

“The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service holds values that are close to my heart, where people come first,” Carla said. “I feel privileged to be a part of an exceptional organisation that incorporates dynamic multidisciplinary care to the community.”

Carla was one of the nursing and midwifery graduates welcomed to Nambour Hospital recently by Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton.

The graduates will be placed across the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service  in various hospitals and facilities with exposure to a range of clinical experiences including medical and surgical nursing, peri-operative, intensive care, paediatric, midwifery, mental health, and addiction services.

Bernadette Fryer has dreamt of a career caring for others for as long as she can remember. After emigrating from Scotland to Australia, she finally began her nursing studies at 31 years old.

“I was fortunate enough to complete many of my clinical placements at SCHHS facilities and was consistently impressed by the dedication, professionalism and caring nature of the wide array of healthcare staff and the supportive culture it facilitated.”

Isaura De Luca was born in East Timor and brought to Australia as an orphan. After travelling the world and starting a family, she moved to the Sunshine Coast and enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing Science at USC.

“Having young children and a family business meant that it took me years to complete my degree. But when it when it came time to apply for a graduate position, I knew I wanted to work for the SCHHS.”

“I know that transitioning from studying to practising will be challenging but I am comforted to know that the SCHHS graduate program offers professional support and training to all their graduates.”

Mr Skelton said several hundred nurses and midwives applied for positions in the program.

“The graduate program at SCHHS is well-regarded. The graduates are well supported within a strong education framework, governed by a team of nurse educators and supported by a team of dedicated clinical coaches.”

“These nursing graduates are the future of their profession and we must continue to invest in supporting novice clinicians. Graduates play a key role in the nursing and midwifery professions,” Mr Skelton said.