Year 10 students from across the Riverina attended a four-day nursing and allied health program at Wagga Base Hospital last week. Photos: Jarryd Rowley.
Year Nine and 10 students from across the Riverina have had their first look at what it’s like to work in a hospital.
Now in its fourth year, the “Be a Health Hero” program (formally “Be Like a Nurse”) has given over 140 students across the Riverina the chance to peek behind the curtain of what it’s like to work in the health industry.
The four-day program gave participants an overview of the allied health and nursing courses available to students in Years 11 and 12 and beyond, including pharmacy, podiatry, radiography, pathology, and physiotherapy.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District Education and Trainee Support Officer Laura Strano said unlike the past few iterations of the program, this year’s “Be a Health Hero” was expanded to include allied health positions.
“Last year, we ran a pilot program which was based in Wagga Wagga, which focused on nursing and this year, through feedback from the participants of that program we’ve actually expanded it to include two programs in Wagga, one in Eastern Riverina and one Western Riverina program,” she said.
“Each program runs for 20 students and they get hands-on experience in nursing and allied health while being mentored by medical representatives.
“The program helps students figure out not just what they want to do but also what they don’t want to do, which is just as important. There are plenty of pathways students potentially choose from and this program helps them get a clearer picture of which one may be for them.”
Year 11 Wagga High student Darnee Doherty (middle) teaching Billabong High School student Kiera Morgan (left) and Leeton High School student Brooke Pearce (right) how to measure blood pressure.
One of the students who took advantage of the program’s insights was Year 11 Wagga High student Darnee Doherty, who participated in the program last year and now works at Wagga Base Hospital once a week on a school-based traineeship.
“The program last year gave a really good look at what it was like to work in a nursing position,” she said.
“Doing this SBAT [School-based apprenticeships and traineeships] course counts as two of my ATAR/HSC subjects. I only have to do four other subjects as opposed to the traditional six.
“I find that it’s easier to balance my study load at school too. I finish early on a weekday and I do the afternoon shift up on the ward, so I’m not missing any school while I’m working here.
Darnee was among the hospital staff who supported students during this year’s program, teaching them how to check blood pressure, find a pulse and other forms of first aid.
“I still remember coming up and having the other SBATs at the time, show me how to do everything and taking away how to do all the fundamentals of what I do in my position now.
“I recommend it to people wanting to get into nursing or allied health. It’s just such a great opportunity for people to learn what they do and don’t want to do.”
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