Graduate nurses have begun caring for communities after being welcomed at hospitals within the Bayside Health Regional Care Group.
The nurses will work and learn at Leongatha, Korumburra, Wonthaggi and Kooweerup hospitals, and the San Remo-based District Nursing service.
Many graduates studied for their Bachelor of Nursing degrees through Federation University’s blended campus at Wonthaggi Hospital, which enables students to gain their qualification locally, without needing to travel for practical classes and placements.
Bayside Health Regional Care Group Chief Executive Officer Louise Sparkes said investing in early career nurses was essential to the long-term sustainability of rural health services.
“By offering ongoing employment, we are making it clear that our graduates are valued, supported and essential for the long term,” she said.
“Our communities benefit from continuity of care and a stable, growing workforce.”
The new cohort will be supported by experienced clinical teams and educators as they develop their skills, contribute to high-quality care, and help meet the health needs of the community, close to home.
Leongatha Memorial Hospital and Korumburra Hospital welcomed 11 nurses. Over the next 12 months, they will complete structured clinical rotations across Aged Care, the General Ward and Urgent Care.
Wonthaggi Hospital and San Remo’s District Nursing service welcomed 10 graduate Registered Nurses and two graduate Registered Midwives, all but one local to the area.
Bonny Huitema, who will do her first rotation with District Nursing, was among the Federation University students.
“It’s a great program. It was nice to be able to study locally and even do my placement locally because with a family to look after, I would not have been able to pursue nursing if I had to travel further afield,” she said.
Maggie Gibson was an Enrolled Nurse for three years on Wonthaggi Hospital’s Sub-Acute Ward and also completed her studies through Federation University at Wonthaggi Hospital.
“The program worked really well for me and enabled me to upskill and pursue a career,” she said, noting she will undertake her first rotation in the Emergency Department at Wonthaggi Hospital.
Wonthaggi Hospital will welcome a second intake in April, with a further nine Graduate Registered Nurses and four Graduate Enrolled Nurses. This will make for a total of 25 graduates for 2026.
Five Graduate Nurses have joined the program at Kooweerup Hospital. Over the next year, they will undertake three rotations across Medical, Aged Care and Community Nursing.
Kooweerup Hospital received a high number of applications for the 2026 graduate intake, reflecting the hospital’s location and growing interest in nursing as a profession.
Graduate Nurse Rajvir Pandher transitioned into nursing from an IT background. Through her experience as a caregiver for family members, she discovered a strong desire to work closely with people and felt nursing was the right pathway to care for others.
Sarika Sealby chose nursing due to her passion for helping people. She valued her student placements, which increased her confidence and reinforced her decision to pursue nursing as a career.
Kylie Daisley previously worked as a healthcare worker and sought a career change to further her learning and engagement with people, and to make a broader impact through nursing.
Kellie Dixon enjoys caring for people and is committed to building a long-term career in nursing.
Jeff Albarracin finds great satisfaction in helping others and was inspired by his grandmother, who was a nurse.
The Leongatha Memorial Hospital graduate nursing cohort on the helipad alongside Educator and Associate Nurse Unit Manager Virginia Bolge as they begin their graduate year. They are, from left, Miriam Drzycimski, Emma Buckland, Nadine Elybux, Jasleen Kaur, Charlee Walker, Alex Webb, Emma Rigby, Nikisha Vanstone, Julie Psarras and Tricia Bucholz. Absent: Christi Mathew.
Graduate Nurses at Wonthaggi Hospital, from left, Julie Hawkins, Nicola Eccles, Anais Sibly, Gemma Hughes, Kate Brosnan, Bella Lockett, Maggie Gibson, Emma Evans, Hannah Sellings, Georgia Dakin, Bonny Huitema and Charlotte Roberts.
At the Graduate Nurse Program orientation day at Kooweerup Hospital are, from left, Manager – Learning and Development Tina Davis, Director of Nursing Barb Nicol and Graduate Nurses Kylie Daisley, Sarika Sealby, Rajvir Pandher, Kellie Dixon and Jeff Albarracin.