Meet the grad nurses of Murrumbidgee Local Health District

Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has welcomed three new graduate nurses to Griffith Base Hospital and Wagga Base Hospital.

Griffith nurse graduate Cecilia Barquilla loves nothing more than taking care of the people in her community.

Cecilia decided to pursue further education since she loved looking after people and completed her registered nursing degree after starting out at MLHD as an assistant in nursing (AIN).

“My passion is looking after others and the people within my community of Griffith,” Cecilia said.

“With the restrictions eased over the past few years, and now that my son is able to go back to school every day, I used the opportunity to further educate myself and follow my dreams of becoming a registered nurse.”

Cecilia, who has lived in Griffith for the past ten years, said she was very happy to begin her Gradstart placement at Griffith Base Hospital.

Homegrown Griffith graduate Livleen Kaur had always known that her career path would involve helping other people.

“I believe in treating others as I want to be treated, so nursing really is the perfect role for me,” Livleen said.

“Nursing allows me to give back to the community.”

Livleen is excited to commence her placement at Griffith Base Hospital as a new nurse graduate.

She said nurturing others is in her blood and she loves caring for people in a respectful manner.

“I just love nursing and have always been passionate about looking after others,” Livleen said.

“Nursing gives me an opportunity to be there for vulnerable people, especially if they have limited support from others.

“I look forward to further developing my nursing career in Griffith and never leaving … no matter what comes my way.”

MLHD said in a statement that it was very happy to have Cecilia and Livleen at the hospital and that they were enjoying their new roles.

For Wagga Base Hospital registered nurse Amit Gupta, nursing is a passion.

“I like to care about people and give my contribution to my community,” Amit said.

He recently completed his nursing degree after working at the Wagga hospital for years as an enrolled nurse.

The RN said he was very happy to secure his placement at Wagga Base Hospital.

“I feel really lucky to secure Wagga Base for my new grad program because Wagga is my second home and I wanted to stay here,” Amit said.

“I like working at Wagga Base because I get so much support. I have worked in different wards as an assistant in nursing and enrolled nurse.

“I appreciate the way that Murrumbidgee Local Health is so supportive of their nurses and try to give them opportunities to stay in the region.”

Amit has called Wagga his home since he migrated to Australia from India in 2007.

“It [Wagga] is a beautiful city,” he said. “We’re really blessed to have this amazing new facility and such great services here.”