IT CAN be a thankless job, but two new nurses to town are relishing the challenge.
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Tenelle Roden and Kirrily Maxwell have recently started as registered nurses at Leeton District Hospital after completing their respective university degrees.
Mrs Roden comes to Leeton after working as an enrolled nurse in Narrandera for 16 years.
She undertook her studies by distance with Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, while Ms Maxwell has moved to town from Newcastle.
Both have been enjoying their new roles in Leeton, with Ms Maxwell currently on the acute care ward and Mrs Roden in the Carramar aged care facility.
They will swap these positions halfway through their one-year tenure.
Both agreed more nurses were needed in rural and regional areas.
“When you fill out your form (after graduation) you have to tick whether or not you would like to work in a rural or remote area and that’s what I did,” Ms Maxwell said.
“I think it’s something I will always want to do.
“You get to do so much and there’s more responsibility now.
“I’m really loving it.”
While Ms Maxwell hasn’t had much time to explore her new home, she was keen to see what Leeton had to offer.
Leeton hospital currently has a slightly higher number of registered nurses and midwives than required.
Mrs Roden was excited her many years of hard work had paid off.
“It’s a lot different to being an enrolled nurse, but I’m loving it,” she said.
“It’s fantastic to be able to do something that helps people.
“That’s what I’m passionate about.”
Leeton cluster manager Jenny Tyrrell was pleased the hospital was able to provide the pair with the opportunity.
“I’m sure that, like myself as a newcomer to Leeton, they will love this wonderful community-minded town,” she said.
“The staff are welcoming and excited the two newly-\registered Nnurses chose to come and be supported in Leeton for their first year of their nursing careers.
“We have a full complement of nurses in the hospital plus several additional nurses.”