Today on International Nurses Day we celebrate the nurses who impact the lives of Territorians every day.
Last Friday on 5 May, we recognised the midwives who care for women and their families.
NT Health employs around 3,000 nurses and midwives, which make up for almost 40 per cent of the workforce.
In the last five months, 102 graduate nurses and midwives have commenced working within our Territory hospitals.
Spread across the Territory, the cohort includes 68 nurses and midwives starting at Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals, 31 at Alice Springs Hospital and three at Katherine Hospital.
Changes were made to the 2023 Graduate Nurse and Midwife Program to prioritise Northern Territory residents – this follows a jurisdictional benchmark that to support a ‘grow your own’ model.
Ninety-three per cent of NT resident applicants were offered a place on the program, an increase of 33 per cent compared to previous years.
NT residents were prioritised regardless of their education provider and the aim is to help retain nurses and midwives in the Territory.
Nurses in the NT can access opportunities to develop skills in specialised areas such as Aboriginal and remote health. They care for people living with acute conditions and tropical diseases not seen in other parts of Australia, helping to improve local health outcomes.
Recently the Territory Government finalised the Strategic Plan for Nursing and Midwifery in the Northern Territory 2019-2022 with all key actions successfully completed. This is a significant achievement given the global health challenges faced during this period.
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
“Today on International Nurses Day we recognise our hardworking nurses, and how much they do for us.
“Throughout 2022, across NT Health, there were 171 graduate nurses and midwives, compared with 161 in 2021 and in 2020.
“The Territory is an incredible place for health workers to undertake placements and upskill, with opportunities to further their careers in urban, remote and rural settings.
“NT Health hospitals provide outstanding support and training as part of these programs, which ensures better patient care and outcomes for the community.”
Northern Territory Government
