AN initiative to recruit travelling and holidaying nurses and midwives for short-term placements around Australia and New Zealand has attracted extraordinary interest since it was launched just more than a fortnight ago.
The “Nurse the Nation” website has reported more that 50,000 hits since its launched, with more than 60 nurses and midwives already registering an interest.
Nurse the Nation creator Caroline Hudson said the response had been “extraordinary” ever since the Catholic Health Australia (CHA) director of nursing committee gave the initiative the go-ahead.
Ms Hudson, who is also executive director of People and Learning at Mater Health Services Brisbane, said all involved were “very excited about the initiative’s potential to help nurses further their career and earn some money while travelling”.
“It will also help participating hospitals and aged-care facilities maintain the staff numbers they need to continue providing quality care to patients,” she said.
“We also encourage nurses who work full-time at a Catholic Health Australia member organisation to apply for a short-term clinical placement at another CHA facility, to gain experience and see another part of this great nation.”
With a website that is part travel guide, part employment agency, Nurse the Nation matches short-term hospital and aged-care vacancies with qualified nurses who are backpacking or caravanning, or who want to experience living and working in a new environment without having to resign their existing job.
For more details on the campaign visit the website www.nursethenation.com.au or phone (07) 31631631.
