What’s it like to work with our nursing students? The CEO of The Brisbane Waters Hospital explains

What's it like to work with our nursing students | The CEO of The Brisbane Waters Hospital

Industry placements are an essential element of the Diploma of Nursing, providing you with opportunities to apply the skills you have learned in the classroom and laboratory in real professional environments. The clinical setting which is hosting you can really make a difference in your nursing career.

Hear first-hand from Kathy Beverley, CEO of The Brisbane Waters Hospital about her experience working with our students in industry placements.

Industry placements are an essential element of the Diploma of Nursing, providing you with opportunities to apply the skills you have learned in the classroom and laboratory in real professional environments. The clinical setting which is hosting you can really make a difference in your nursing career.

Today we sit down with Kathy Beverley the CEO of the Brisbane Waters Hospital, to talk about her experience with our enrolled nurse students.

About the Brisbane Waters Hospital

Located in the Woy Woy Peninsula on the Central Coast with 250 employees, Brisbane Waters Hospital is a part of HealtheCare, the third largest corporate private hospital operator in Australia and one of the country’s largest privately-owned healthcare organisations. HealtheCare employs nearly 7,000 people in major cities and key regional areas across Australia and one in New Zealand. Their portfolio includes 37 medical/surgical, rehabilitation and mental health hospitals and day surgeries

“Since our partnership officially started in April 2018, we have received about 40 students from THINK Health Education in clinical placements. We offer acute clinical placements which include rehab, medical and surgical and the opportunity for the students to observe in theatre.”

Hi Kathy, can you please tell us more about the relationship between THINK and the Brisbane Waters Hospital?

We already knew of THINK Health Education quality training, so when our Clinical Director of Services (DCS) heard about the Diploma of Nursing, she got in touch with the placement team to arrange the work placements. We were in position to offer various clinical components such as mental health and rehab and we wanted to make a difference in the nursing students’ life. Being able to train the nurses of tomorrow is a meaningful experience, and it is also a great opportunity to get to know new potential staff members.

The first exchanges about a potential partnership were very positive and the nursing placement agreement was clear and concise. We were ready and more than happy to take on this new responsibility. Since our partnership officially started in April 2018, we have received about 40 students from THINK Health Education in clinical placements. We offer acute clinical placements which include rehab, medical and surgical and the opportunity for the students to observe in theatre. We also offer clinical placements in mental health.

What do you think about our students?

They are well trained and well prepared which is exactly what we are looking for. All of the students coming from THINK Health Education are well integrated in the team, they are friendly and very happy to be with us. I have also found the students accommodating and flexible, it is a pleasure to work with them. They are motivated, keen to learn and they absorb as much as information as they can. Each nursing student coming into placement is aware of the work opportunities within our hospital and I am proud to say that two of them asked for a permanent job. It says a lot about their potential to become great enrolled nurses.

What kind of experience do the students get while in placement?

I am aware some students can have a very stressful and/or disappointing experience in clinical placements. We have had a few who arrived in our hospital unsure about whether they were ready to pursue a career in Nursing or not. This is a normal experience and I am proud to say that they left their clinical placement at the Brisbane Waters Hospital convinced and as motivated as the very first day.

I believe a clinical placement should have a very positive impact on their studies and career development. Our staff are very passionate and supportive and we are all doing our best to make sure our nursing students have a great experience and leave even more motivated and willing to become a nurse. Our students “grow-up” in clinical placement, they become more engaged, inspired and confident. Sometimes, they figure out the field they truly like while in placement, then they orientate their studies and get specialized in that field. The students also know they can get a job at the end which is really motivating.

Would you recommend our students?

Yes, definitely! We highly value the students from Think Education and how good they can be.

Want to become an Enrolled Nurse?

Learn more about how you can get started as an enrolled nurse. Download the course guide today!

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