First hand experience for nurses

East Grampians Health Service hosted six students from Federation University in October.

The six students are completing a Bachelor of Nursing at Federation University and all are in their first year of a three year degree.

Students Phillip, Courtney, Patrick, Grace and Ebony undertook a two week placement at 70 Lowe St while student Kera’s placement was at Willaura Health Care.

It was their first placement in a clinical setting.

EGHS Clinical Teacher Deborah Bennett said the trainee nurses were here to learn foundation skills and to gain first hand experience.

She said the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency requires all RN nurses to complete 800 hours of clinical placement during their course, and the two week placement at EGHS made up the students’ first 80 hours.

Deborah said the students may return for subsequent placements, however this will be the University’s decision.

“In their first week of orientation I ran students through basic life support, infection control and correct use of some of the equipment they will use around the health service,” she said.

“They were all keen to put into practice the skills they have been learning in the classroom at university.”

Pictured above (L-R): Phillip, Courtney, Patrick, Grace, Ebony and Kera in the prac lab at EGHS

Pictured above: Phillip in the EGHS prac lab putting into practice the skills he has been learning in the classroom at Federation University