The Murrumbidgee Local Health District will welcome 54 nurse graduates in February, including 24 at Wagga Base Hospital, in a bid to offer support to the region's fatigued and "burnt out" health sector.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Murrumbidgee Local Health District chief executive Jill Ludford said with the reopening of international borders they are also now looking to recruit overseas nurses to combat staff shortages.
"Our first overseas recruit starts this month," she said.
NSW Nurses and Midwives Association Wagga president Amit Gupta said the action comes in a time of crisis.
"Every shift there are 15 to 16 staff shortages," he said.
"We're asked multiple times to work double shifts, we are stressed out, all of the nurses are burnt out.
"They're pushing nurses to come back from annual leave.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"One of my friends just the other day was called seven times to work another double shift even though he had just finished a night shift and had been sleeping."
Ms Ludford admits to nurses working additional shifts across the region's hospitals but said they are being encouraged to speak with their Director of Nursing if they have concerns that need to be escalated.
Mr Gupta said he believes there has also been an increase in violence as a result of stress which has been amplified due to the professions shortages and the increase in patients coming into hospitals due to the Omicron outbreak.
"Last week there was so much violence in the ward [at Wagga Hospital]. It was very scary," he said.
"One guy broke the same gate twice within two days trying to burst through the nurse escape doors."
The MLHD responded to the allegations of violence, stating there have been no reports made of an increase in incidences of violence.
Ms Ludford is encouraging nurses and health care workers to seek help if they are struggling.
"As well as initiatives within our organisation such as peer support, chaplaincy and self-care resources, there is also a staff directory of eight different free mental health and wellbeing support programs available for staff who prefer to access support outside of the workplace," she said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters