Local talent, local care: Federation TAFE nursing students serve the Wimmera community

Federation TAFE's latest Diploma of Nursing graduates are set to play a crucial role in ensuring the greater Wimmera region receives dedicated and effective care from those who understand their needs.

The Diploma of Nursing course at Federation TAFE's Horsham campus is developing a pipeline of skilled professionals for the region, training residents to become healthcare providers.

Gabrielle McCulloch, who was awarded the 2025 Federation TAFE VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year, and her team delivered the Diploma of Nursing to more than 80 students in 2024, is committed to quality education in healthcare.

Ms McCulloch says feedback from the community and industry about the course is overwhelmingly positive as it allows residents to study and stay local, allowing them to move into a career where previously there were no accessible training possibilities.

Traineeship programs with healthcare provider partners, including Grampians Health, West Wimmera Health Service and Rural Northwest Health, were developed in response to the chronic nursing shortages. These traineeships support local community growth and give students the best possible chance of walking into an in-demand job.

Trainees earn and learn, being paid to work two days a week and study at Federation TAFE three days a week, giving them an income as they study.

The Diploma of Nursing is also a Free TAFE course that allows people to learn new skills, upskill, change jobs or careers, and re-enter the workforce, proving it's never too late to return to study.

"We have a real shortage of nurses here in the Wimmera, and because many of the students are trainees, they are employed by the local hospitals. This experience means the graduates are extremely well prepared and ready to go from the start," Ms McCulloch said.

"They are getting paid to be here, and after their course, most of the graduates stay at the health facilities here in the region. It's a real success story for Wimmera."

Students who come to the course include school-leavers, through to mature-age career changers.

Ms McCulloch says the course gives students flexibility while they learn and a variety of career opportunities in several healthcare settings when they finish.

The course provides a clear pathway for students to advance to the Diploma of Nursing from a certificate level course and then progress to the Bachelor of Nursing through Federation University.

"Many of our mature-age students come to us in their 30s and 40s and want to build something for themselves," Ms McCulloch said. "In doing so, they become role models for their children who are now in secondary school and have seen mum or dad study and develop the habits and skills to pursue a new and exciting career."

Enrolments in Federation's Diploma of Nursing course have risen sharply in recent years, with mid-year intakes being introduced to meet demand. Increased enrolments are not only a win for Federation but for the Wimmera community which will benefit from more home-grown healthcare professionals.

"The feedback from students is that the course is very personalised – the students are here three days a week doing face-to-face training so we get to each other very well and can individualise their learning."

"If someone needs more time in the prac room, for example, we can unlock it and let them practice when necessary. But the biggest feedback I get is how hands-on it is. The feedback from healthcare providers is that our graduates can hit the floor running, and they are very good ward nurses from the start."