A new generation of doctors and nurses have started the next stage of their careers at Gold Coast Health.
The health service welcomed 91 medical interns, 142 nursing and midwifery graduates and more than 200 medical students in 2019.
Director of Clinical Training Matthew Links said the two-week orientation program for medical interns not only covered the technical expertise of being a clinician but also highlighted the importance of becoming a compassionate doctor.
“When we talk about compassion, we’re talking about compassion towards patients, but also towards themselves and their colleagues. Wellbeing is a big focus for us,” he said.
“We are committed to looking after our junior doctors. We realise it can be quite a stressful year and we are developing specific wellbeing and development strategies for our junior medical workforce.”
Professor of Nursing and Midwifery Anita Bamford-Wade welcomed the new nurses and midwives, saying they were joining a workforce which was highly regarded by the Coast community.
“Our nurses and midwives play a pivotal role in the clinical care of thousands of patients each year and are an outstanding asset to our health service.
“Recent patient survey results have reinforced that our nurses and midwives always strive to do their best for patients and their families,” Professor Bamford-Wade said.
“This next generation of nurses joins our organisation at an exciting time as our hospitals transition to become fully digital in April with the introduction of ieMR.”
After 14 years as an emergency medical dispatcher with Queensland Ambulance Service, Richard Colson has started his nursing career in a general medicine ward at Gold Coast University Hospital.
“My philosophy is that no one really wants to be in hospital, but if we, as nurses, can make a difficult time better, and leave them with a lasting impression of how they’ve been treated, in addition to the clinical care of course, then we have done our job well,” he said.
“What’s drawn me to Gold Coast Health and what I’ve experienced so far, is the culture of the organisation – there’s a culture of safety and support.”
Among the 142 graduates are 21 midwives and 21 nurses who would be allocated to mental health.
Third, fourth and fifth-year medical students from Griffith University and Bond University are completing rotations across our facilities as part of their degrees.
