Registered Nurse Emma Singleton is a shining example of how Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS) is fostering a workforce for the future.
Emma recently worked her first official shift as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Day Surgery Services at Rockhampton Hospital – the department that has helped train Emma since she joined the team as an undergraduate in 2019.
Nurse Unit Manager Trudy Tempest said Emma’s progression to RN was a great example of how CQ Health was nurturing nurses of the future by providing pathways for students in the workplace.
“Emma has been pivotal in creating a new pathway for undergraduate nursing students to have a supported progressive position as an employee during their studies,” Trudy said.
“Emma was recruited four years ago as an entry level Assistant In Nursing (AIN) and she then progressed to Undergraduate Student In Nursing (USIN) while completing her studies part-time.
“She has worked incredibly hard and is a highly valued member of the Day Surgery team.
“We have tried to make her journey as enriching as possible, including nominating her for a state-wide nursing conference where she was a CQHHS representative of nursing from a true grass roots position.”
Emma said it had been a hard road at times, combining family and work as a mature-age student, but she was encouraged by the support of the Day Surgery team.
“When I started my nursing degree I was working in an entirely different field and it was isolating studying online.
“Starting here was a turning point and I really felt like I’ve had the backing of the team through my whole degree. I had colleagues telling me I could do it, even when I was completely doubting myself.
“I think everyone is just as excited as I am to have finally graduated - they presented me with a signed copy of my certificate, which was amazing.”
Emma will continue to work with the Day Surgery team until February next year, when she starts her formal Graduate Nurse position in the Intensive Care Unit.
“I am sad to leave the team – it was a really hard decision – but I’m spreading my wings to further increase my knowledge and skills.”
But while Emma moves on, the pathway she forged in Day Surgery Services will continue for other undergraduate students.
“Where else can you get experience in so many different roles, from pre-anaesthetic clinic, day surgery admissions and discharges, recovery, post-anaesthetic and the procedure room? This department has amazing opportunities, and it has been so beneficial for me,” Emma said.