Train in the Regions: Stay in the Regions

The Mayor of Murweh Shire Council, Shaun “Zoro” Radnedge, has applauded a pioneering educational initiative aimed at bridging the gap between university healthcare education and regional communities, adding that it’s the way forward for regional communities wishing to retain a skilled workforce. 

“Train them in the regions, and they will stay in the regions,” the Mayor said, citing the success of the University of Southern Queensland-led innovative program to grow the pipeline of Southwest Queensland talent equipped for careers in healthcare.

The recent graduates, Bianca Bain, Phillipa Wallace, Em Hall, Shauna Mckinsley, Aly Fitzsimmons and Katie Lark were the first students to complete the program and become registered nurses.

Launched in semester 1, 2022, and delivered in partnership between UniSQ, South West Hospital and Health Service and Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH), the program allows students to study a Bachelor of Nursing at Charleville's SQRH Clinical Training Facility and connect with other students in their cohort.

UniSQ nursing lecturer and Charleville coordinator Jessie Elliott said, “Charleville has seen the impact this program has made in their community, and we hope it will inspire many others to study as well.”

Recent graduate, and now registered nurse at Charleville hospital, Bianca Bain, said the program was convenient and enjoyable. “Having a study space here at Charleville created a more convenient way to complete my studies and was an amazing help over my two years of study.” 

“This program brings a university education to the bush,” said the Mayor. “It’s the way forward, and not just with healthcare. If we can train our youth train here, they’ll likely stay here, in regional areas, where we need skills.”