News

International Nurses Day: development programs rolled out at Glengarry Private Hospital

May 12, 2022

Nurses will have more development opportunities at Glengarry Private Hospital with the expansion of the Ramsay Nursing and Midwife Academy announced on International Nurses Day (May 12).

Ramsay Health Care Chief Nurse and Clinical Services Director, Dr Bernadette Eather, said the aim of International Nurses Day is to recognise the important role nurses play in health care.

International Nurses Day is held on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the foundational philosopher of modern nursing.

Dr Eather said Ramsay is investing in nursing with two new programs offered through the Ramsay Nursing and Midwife Academy: a Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) Pathway Program and an Undergraduate Cadetship Program.

“The NUM Pathway Program will provide professional development, mentorship and leadership training opportunities to nurse and midwifery unit managers – which totals more than 500 people. These frontline leaders play a critical role in patient care while also serving as people and business managers,” Ms Eather said.

“We have also created the Undergraduate Cadetship Program, which is designed to support nursing cadets during their undergraduate studies, offering them relevant employment opportunities and a guaranteed graduate interview on completion of their studies.

“Ramsay Health Care nurses are committed to providing excellent health care for their patients, and we’re committed to helping them grow their skills and excel in their nursing careers.”

The Ramsay Nursing and Midwife Academy originally launched in 2021 with four foundation programs:

• Nursing Leaders of Tomorrow Program - To support nurse unit managers (NUMs) with a formal upskilling course to develop them as leaders and reach their goals of obtaining senior nursing positions. 20 nurse managers were part of the first round of this program, including two from Hollywood Private Hospital.
• Graduate and Intern Fellowship Program - A two-year program to train, coach and support new nursing graduates to help them build a career with Ramsay and provide opportunities to specialise in their chosen area of nursing. Across the country, about 550 new graduate nurses started at Ramsay Health Care hospitals in the first graduate intake of 2022, including a record 41 graduates at Hollywood Private Hospital.
• DCS Mentorship Program – To orientate, induct and mentor our newer Directors of Clinical Services (DCSs) who are central to the success of our organisation. Currently 30 future senior leaders are being mentored with more than 50 formal mentorships to be available in the near future.
• Back to the Bedside Program – Aimed at removing red tape to allow nurses to spend more time at the bedside with patients. Ramsay will soon roll out new audit software to significantly reduce the workload of bedside audits, giving nurses time back in their shifts to attend to patient needs.

This year, Glengarry welcomed two new Enrolled Nurse (EN) and Registered Nurse (RN) graduates, who are employed on a permanent contract as part of a new two-year Fellowship Program.

Graduate nurses Larah Price (RN) and AnnMaree Celisano (EN) are working at Glengarry in specialties such as theatre. They are supported by clinicians eager to share their knowledge and skills.

Operating Suite Manager Tania Arnold has benefited from participating in the Nursing Leaders of Tomorrow Program.

“It had been a wonderful opportunity to connect with other staff in similar roles and positions and also to meet and be mentored by Ramsay Health Care leaders from all areas of the business,” Ms Arnold said.

Glengarry Private Hospital Operating Suite Manager Tania Arnold is participating in the Nursing Leaders of Tomorrow Program.