A set of twins have just started their careers as registered nurses at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Tara and Livai are joining almost 200 other graduate nurses and midwives commencing with Sunshine Coast Health.
While the pair have both always been interested in healthcare, Livai started his nursing journey first, inspiring Tara to join him.
“So I thought why not give it a shot as well, since he enjoys it and tells me all the stories about what he sees,” Tara said.
They worked in the same aged care jobs while working towards becoming registered nurses.
While they admit they’re a little relieved to not be working on the same ward, they’re grateful to have each other’s support.
The new cohort of nurses and midwives are based in many different specialities across Sunshine Coast Health’s facilities at Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Gympie Hospital and Nambour General Hospital.
Graduate Chantiley-Rose Naylor said she fell in love with nursing after trying five different degrees that didn’t quite click.
She’s excited to start out in mental health nursing.
“I’ve spent the past three years helping troubled youth in homeless shelter, where I saw a lot of mental health challenges, but there was only an extent I could do, so I went into nursing, especially mental health nursing so I could do that further and actually be able to help them further,” she said.
The first-year programs are designed to give the new recruits a strong and supported start, helping them navigate the many challenges and rewards of healthcare.
“It is about supporting the graduates so that’s why we periodically start the graduates across the year,” nurse educator practice development Amanda Nauman said.
With a thorough orientation week behind them, the graduates are excited to make a real-world difference, after years of study and practical experience.
Graduate midwife Renee Opelt is thrilled to finally fulfil her midwifery dream after originally starting out in nursing.
“I’ve always wanted to be a midwife since I was a little child that’s just been my number one job in life that I wanted to do, so been very passionate,” Renee said.
“Then after having my children and having a midwife support me through that, it’s just solidified that that was the career for me.”
