Interstate move only option for nurse jobs

An East Launceston father has told how his son had to move interstate for a nursing career, making a mockery of plans for a Hobart nursing school.

John Harris said his son Mark graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2003 with a nursing degree.
But problems with the health system forced his son to look interstate for employment in the industry, Mr Harris said.
Mark Harris now works as a nursing team leader at a leading Melbourne private hospital, his father said yesterday.
Of the eight people he went through his nursing degree with, only one was offered a full-time nursing position in Tasmania and even that person had to move interstate for specialist training.
Mr Harris said the Health Department at the time would only offer part-time or short- term jobs, offering little job security, but interstate hospitals "snapped them up".
Additionally, students who did placements or practical work at the Royal Hobart Hospital "hated it" because of low morale, bad hours and other problems, he said.
"The kids were available and the jobs were not there," Mr Harris said.
"They have gone and they will not be back."
Mr Harris said the idea of setting up a Southern nursing school was "the tail wagging the dog".
He said it was doomed to fail because it did not tackle the real problem.
It would also dilute the effectiveness of the proven Launceston-based school.
Health Minister Lara Giddings wants a nursing school at the Royal Hobart Hospital to relieve chronic staffing problems.
"They may get some extra students but what is the point of splitting a school that works brilliantly and is recognised Australia-wide?" Mr Harris said.
"If you can't fix the problem, make the tail wag the dog," he said of the Southern school plan.
"There are several messages here for the Health Minister - fix the Royal so that any graduate from anywhere (can get a job there).
"And employ those who do graduate - don't train them for interstate facilities.
"Splitting facilities makes for extra costs and no real return.
"Taking the school down there is appeasement of the Hobart establishment but she (Ms Giddings) should be fixing the Royal."
A spokesman for Ms Giddings said the minister supported the Launceston school and wanted to add to nurse training in the State.
He said the idea of a Hobart-based school was one of several options to increase the number of graduates working at the RHH.
"The decision is up to the university, but as far as we are concerned, the Launceston school is there to stay for good," the spokesman said.

By MICHAEL LOWE

Article from www.examiner.com.au