Summary
A nationally award-winning partnership between South West Health, the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and Southern Queensland Rural Health is helping local people study, train and work as nurses without leaving their communities. The innovative End to End nursing program has been recognised with an Australian Financial Review Higher Education Award and is already delivering results, with graduates securing permanent nursing positions across the South West.
South West Health is helping build the future of rural healthcare through a successful partnership with the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH), creating opportunities for local people to study, train and work as nurses without leaving their communities.
The partnership's innovative End to End nursing program was recently recognised nationally this week, with UniSQ receiving an Australian Financial Review Higher Education Award for its work in developing and delivering the program in collaboration with South West Health, SQRH and the Charleville community.
South West Health’s Director of Nursing and Midwifery Education Leanne Raatz said the award recognised the program's success in addressing both education and workforce gaps in rural Queensland, with its first cohort transitioning directly into local healthcare jobs.
“Judges highlighted the program's strong community impact, noting it had strengthened connections between the university and local communities while making tertiary education more accessible for students who would otherwise face significant travel requirements.,” Leanne said.
“The program has also achieved strong participation from First Nations students, who represent 22 per cent of enrolments across cohorts.”
For South West Health, the results are being seen firsthand.
“Since 2025, nine End to End students have secured permanent nursing positions through the South West Health graduate nurse program, building on the success of previous cohorts who have also progressed into graduate opportunities within the health service,” she said.
“There are currently 26 students enrolled in the program, with close collaboration between the South West Health Clinical Placement Coordinator and UniSQ helping students complete their clinical placements locally across the South West.
"The End to End program is creating opportunities for local people to pursue a nursing career without having to leave their communities.
"By supporting students throughout their education journey and providing local clinical placement opportunities, we're helping them build the skills, confidence and professional connections they need to succeed in rural healthcare.
"Many of these students already have strong ties to our communities, which makes them well placed to understand the needs of local patients and contribute to the delivery of high-quality care across the South West.
“Southern Queensland Rural Health plays an important role in the program by providing education, accommodation and financial support, helping to reduce practical barriers often associated with undertaking rural clinical placements.
“In doing so, it is helping create a sustainable pipeline of locally trained nurses who are choosing to live and work in the region.”
Leanne said the recent national recognition reinforced the value of the collaborative approach.
"This award highlights what can be achieved when healthcare services, education providers and communities work together toward a shared goal," she said.
"We are proud to be part of a program that is not only supporting students but also strengthening the future healthcare workforce for the South West."
Interested in the End to End program?
People interested in learning more about the End to End program and nursing career pathways in the South West are encouraged to contact the South West Health Student Placements team via SWHHS_Student_Placements@health.qld.gov.au. The team can provide information and connect prospective students with the appropriate support and pathways.