A Wagga business owner is calling on those willing and able to help to sponsor local nurses feeling the pressure of upcoming registration fees.
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On the Easter weekend, nurses across the Riverina received the bill for their annual registration, which costs $175 each year.
When Lake Village Takeaway owner Kellie Roberts saw a social media post from a friend in nursing, she was disappointed to hear front line workers would still have to pay in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
"I just think it's pretty bad that nurses are on the front line of it and they're not receiving any help," she said.
"I know in every career you have to pay for stuff but just at the moment with what's going on, they're saving us."
Ms Roberts offered to pay her friend's fee for the year as an Easter present, but she said she turned it down because both herself and her husband still had job security,
However, the nurse said many of her colleagues were less fortunate, and put Ms Roberts in touch with a colleague with a young baby whose husband had recently been stood down from work to pay for her registration instead.
Ms Roberts said her friend's colleague was "over the moon" to receive some help, and she was now encouraging any businesses or individuals with the financial means to join in and sponsor a nurse before the May 31 fee deadline.
"If I only get to help one nurse, I only help one nurse, and at the end of the day I feel good for it but if anyone else would like to jump on board and put a smile on a nurse's face and make their Easter, it's just to say thank you, that's all it is," she said.
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Ms Roberts said the idea came from the national 'Adopt a Healthcare Worker' movement which encourages people to run errands and prepare food for healthcare workers in their community as they manage the stress of preparing for a potential influx of coronavirus patients.
"I can't cook for them or run errands because I work 80 hour weeks myself, however I could sponsor a nurse and pay for their fees for the year just to take that burden away from them," Ms Roberts said.
Since posting her idea on social media, Ms Roberts said she had heard many stories of nurses in challenging situations, and she and the nursing community would be happy to connect those wanting to donate with someone in need of assistance.
"I think all the nurses will do the right thing that if they are financially able to, they'll pass it on to someone that does need it," she said.
"They're just like a family as well, they help each other out."
Ms Roberts said anyone wanting to sponsor a nurse could contact her at the Lake Village Takeaway to get involved.