Buderim Private Hospital will mentor 41 budding doctors and nurses from 20 Sunshine Coast high schools as part of its annual Hospital Experience Day on Thursday 21 October.
After COVID-19 restrictions required the program to be suspended in 2020, the innovative program will once again take place and allow the Year 10, 11 and 12 students to learn first-hand from medical, allied and other health professionals through presentations, simulation labs and practical work experience.
General Manager Karen Clark said the program aimed to offer students a practical insight into the workings, demands and expectations of an acute, tertiary-level hospital.
“Our Hospital Experience Day helps students make informed choices by exploring future careers in a practical and hands-on way,” Mrs Clark said.
“During their time with us, students have the opportunity for a hands-on educational experience to gain an understanding of a range of careers within a hospital setting including nursing, midwifery, medicine and allied health,” she said.
“We are so proud of this program and how it nurtures the interests and passions of young people in our Sunshine Coast community and helps enable the healthcare professionals of the future.”
Education Manager Alex Spencer said the program has helped hundreds of local students since launching in 2007.
“It is fantastic to see so many enthusiastic and conscientious students enjoy the program each year, many of whom were born here and already have a very special connection with the hospital,” Ms Spencer said.
“We like to work closely with local education providers such as the University of the Sunshine Coast, Central Queensland University and East Coast TAFE to support students and so far this year we have already welcomed more than 100 midwifery, nursing, physiotherapy, allied health and medical students,” she said.
As part of UnitingCare, the Buderim Private Hospital is owned by the Uniting Church and is the only not-for-profit provider of private hospital services on the Sunshine Coast.
Pictured: Buderim Private Hospital educators Anna Ballantyne and Fiona Grieg are pictured with Sienna Adams and Amber Barry from St Teresa's Catholic College and Zoe McKenzie and Lilliana Pearson from Matthews Flinders Anglican College