Nearly 1,000 nurses have joined Tasmania’s health system as part of the state’s biggest-ever healthcare recruitment drive, according to Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma.
Since April last year, 972 nurses have been recruited, with about a third coming from overseas or interstate and another third fresh out of university.
“We’ve recruited nearly 3,000 more healthcare workers right across Tasmania’s health service,” Petrusma said.
“It’s more doctors, it’s more nurses, it’s more cleaners, it’s more paramedics, it’s more allied health professionals. We’re recruiting more than we ever have before.”
Among the new arrivals is Filipino nurse Augre Don, who moved to Tasmania in February after three years working overseas. For her, lifestyle was the big drawcard.
“I lived in London for three years. I was always rushing and when I came here, everyone’s calmed down,” Don said. “Tasmania is quite more relaxed when it comes to the work-life balance.”
To help attract and keep staff, the state government is offering $15,000 relocation packages to nurses and midwives who commit to three years’ work in Tasmania, along with $10,000 scholarships for nursing graduates who stay on.
Tasmanian-born nurse Bell Merrigan, now in her eighth week of the transition to practice program, said the support for new staff has been strong.
“Everyone wants you to succeed so they’re constantly teaching and learning and passing on these skills,” Merrigan said.
Despite an ageing workforce, the state has managed a net gain of 366 nurses over the past year, described by Petrusma as “a nurse a day”.
“We actually have one of the lowest rates of churn in the system than any other state in Australia,” Petrusma added, attributing this to Tasmania’s reputation as “one of the best places to live, work and stay in Australia”.
The recruitment campaign also brought in 575 new doctors and 275 allied health professionals, with efforts ongoing to fill key roles in pharmacy and pathology.
