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Stephanie Stellyes, Marion Bateup and Mitch Ellul are three of 47 nurse graduates that will start work this year for the Greater Southern Area Health Service.

Ms Stellyes and Ms Bateup will commence work this week while Mr Ellul is set to begin his first shift in August.

The trio each decided to take up a nursing career for reasons that included the opportunity to travel, to fill the nursing shortage and the ability to practically assist patients.

Ms Bateup has lived in Queanbeyan for 22 years and said she had been the recipient of an indigenous cadetship that kick-started her career in health care.

“It's something I've always wanted to do, it's just taken me a lot of years to realise that I can do it,” she said.

“I've had an indigenous cadetship through Greater Southern, so I've worked here for 12 weeks every year for the last three years.”

An opportunity to move in with family in Canberra brought Ms Stellyes to Queanbeyan Hospital after previously living and studying in Sydney.

It was advice from friends that inspired her to take up a career in nursing.

“I've always liked helping people and I actually had a few comments from friends saying that I had that special `it' factor,” she said.

“When I started doing the practicals, I enjoyed it so much.”

Queanbeyan Hospital was the first job opportunity given to Mr Ellul who originally lived in Wingham, north-west of Taree.

“I got a job here, which was my first offer that I accepted,” he said.

He added that the nursing shortage and an opportunity to take the career anywhere in the world enticed him to become a nurse.

The new nursing graduates will assist Queanbeyan Hospital with keeping up to date with contemporary nursing practices and will be good for the workforce in general, according to hospital manager Robyn Harvey.

“We love to have nurse graduates come in to our hospital with us because it helps us to keep up-to-date with what's happening on a contemporary basis,” she said.

“They good thing they add to our workplace is that enthusiastic attitude to our profession.”

The first year nurses will complete their induction this week to familiarise themselves with local staff.