Nurses are generally renowned for their dedication to the profession, but Horsham’s Jarrod Hunter would be considered ‘next level’.

Several years of work with devotion to study and development has culminated into Mr Hunter’s appointment as Wimmera Health Care Group Emergency Department’s first nurse practitioner. 

His post is a bonus for the ED team, which is continually coping with ever-
increasing patient numbers.

Mr Hunter’s extensive nursing and paramedic career started with his graduate year of nursing in Melbourne in 2002.

When his paramedic partner was appointed to Horsham seven years ago, he chose to follow and continue his career at WHCG.

ED nurse unit manager Odette Richards said Mr Hunter worked hard to obtain his qualification and develop the nurse practitioner role.

“Nurse practitioners have been in Australia for almost 15 years and they are the most senior clinical nurses in our health system,” Mrs Richards said.

“To become a nurse practitioner requires university study and the completion of a Master’s degree.

“The care provided by nurse practitioners is safe, effective and of high quality and the introduction of this role will enable us to better meet the needs of our community.”

Mrs Richards said in his seven years at WHCG, Mr Hunter had forged an impressive career path, showing a genuine penchant for study and personal development.

“In the past three years he has completed more than 5500 hours of supervised advanced clinical practice, and that combined with his Masters studies, led to his nurse practitioner endorsement,” she said.

A nurse practitioner is able to independently assess, diagnose and treat patients under their care. They can order pathology tests, prescribe medicines, refer to and receive referrals from medical and allied health professionals and manage patients in a holistic manner both independently and also collaboratively with medical colleagues.

Mr Hunter said he felt well prepared to start the next chapter.

“I am enjoying the challenges of delivering care to patients who present to the ED,” he said.

“This includes providing an extra clinical service alongside those that currently exist under the traditional model there. Hopefully my appointment will contribute to a decrease in waiting times and an overall better experience for all our patients.”

Mr Hunter said he was grateful for the support and encouragement of his colleagues, mentors and leaders at WHCG.

“In this the International Year of Nursing, I am also excited for the years ahead where I can foster a culture of nursing excellence and hopefully encourage other nurses to embark on the NP path,” he said.

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