Graduates join the COVID-19 frontline
Newly-qualified nurses from Mater Education’s Diploma of Nursing course are starting their first jobs on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19.
The graduate Enrolled Nurses (ENs) are part of a team of Mater health professionals at the South East Queensland Mass Vaccination Centre at South Bank.
So far, five new ENs have been recruited to the centre and another 10 are due to join them as the vaccination drive continues to ramp up across the state.
Mater COVID-19 Vaccination Coordinator Dr Trisha O’Moore-Sullivan commended the nurses for stepping up to help the community after completing their 18-months’ study with Mater Education.
“Giving a hand in a time of need is what we do at Mater and it’s what our students are trained to do,” Dr O’Moore-Sullivan said.
“We are so grateful to our new ENs for stepping up to work at this vital vaccination facility."
“They are enthusiastic, engaged and working hard to make sure that Queenslanders are protected against COVID-19. We could not be doing this without them.”
The graduates are helping administer COVID-19 vaccines to people aged 16 - 59.
Mater has a 60-strong team at the centre, which is vaccinating more than 1 000 people per day.
Recent Mater Education EN graduate Courtney O’Loughlin said she was excited to be working at the vaccination hub.
“This is my first job as an enrolled nurse and it’s wonderful to be putting the skills I learnt during my Diploma of Nursing at Mater Education into action,” Courtney said.
“I’m also really happy to be part of a team that’s working towards meeting the state’s vaccination targets.
“I think it’s important for us all to be vaccinated. We’re seeing how infectious the Delta strain of this virus is, so we have to do whatever we can to keep our community safe.”
Fellow Mater Education Diploma of Nursing graduate Gareth Coley had his first shift this week.
“I’m really excited to be playing a part in getting life back to normal,” he said.
“My Mater Education Diploma of Nursing has given me the confidence to work with the public and in a busy team.”
Mater Education Diploma of Nursing graduates Courtney O’Loughlin, Gabby Cleophas and Gareth Coley who have started their first ever nursing jobs at Brisbane’s South Bank mass vaccination hub.
