Nursing graduates start their careers with Far West LHD in 2026

FWLHD’s intake includes several local nurses, in addition to nurses relocating from elsewhere in NSW and interstate.

The nursing graduates have joined the Far West Local Health District through its GradStart program, which offers structured opportunities across a wide range of clinical settings. Through the program, graduates will build experience and consolidate their skills in areas including emergency departments, acute hospital services, hospital clinics, and community-based health services.

Graduates will work as part of multidisciplinary teams alongside experienced clinicians, who will support and mentor them as they develop their skills and knowledge within one of the world's leading health systems.

The Far West LHD warmly welcomed its new graduate nurses, with a formal greeting from Ms Wendy Gleeson, FWLHD’s Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery.

Ms Gleeson extended her best wishes to the graduates as they embark on their professional careers with the LHD.

“This is an exciting time for our new nurses and also for the Far West LHD as we welcome them into our workforce,” Ms Gleeson said.

“We are delighted they have chosen the Far West LHD to begin their nursing careers and are confident they will gain a positive and rewarding experience during their time with us.”

“The experiences the graduates will gain are invaluable and unique to the Far West. They will have first-hand exposure to working in our remote facilities, whilst also engaging with and living within local communities. We hope these experiences will inspire them to consider a long-term career in our region.”

The GradStart program places nurses in Broken Hill, Wentworth, Wilcannia, Tibooburra and Balranald health facilities and introduces an extended six-month placement in the Broken Hill paediatrics ward. The longer paediatrics placement is part of a Metro-Rural Exchange Program whereby two new graduates have six-month rotations in the local paediatric ward and at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network to provide a unique experience with remote and metropolitan healthcare.

The FWLHD already has two other successful Metro-Rural Exchange Programs with Central Coast LHD through the Gosford – Broken Hill Exchange Program and South East Sydney LHD via the Sydney Eye Hospital and Broken Hill Exchange Program.

The graduates will undergo orientation this week and meet staff, mentors, and managers who will support their transition from undergraduate university student to registered nurse. The orientation also includes NSW Ambulance training for those graduates working in remote sites.