May 9, 2014
St Saviour’s College student Sprhee Jacobs returned home from Toowoomba to Cherbourg for the recent school holidays however, unlike most students, she didn’t spend all of her time hanging out with friends or watching TV.
Instead, the Year 11 student took part in a one-week TAFE placement at the Cherbourg Health Service.
“Any clinics that happened, Sprhee attended,” Community Health Service liaison officer Elizabeth Jacobs said.
“She was given the opportunity to talk to other staff and to find out what areas of health care she might be interested in.”
Sprhee said she enjoyed learning more about health care.
“I am completing a Certificate III in Primary Health Care,” she said. “It’s something I am interested in learning more about.”
Cherbourg Hospital Director of Nursing Gayle Hocking said the facility often hosted high school students, as well as students from university.
Cherbourg is one of the 20 hospitals operated by the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board.
“For the first time we are receiving students from the Sunshine Coast University,” Ms Hocking said.
“We have previously accepted students from the University of Queensland, the University of Southern Queensland and Griffith University.
“It’s a good opportunity for students, no matter what level they are at, to get a feel for working in a hospital. It is always good for hospitals, and the health service, from a recruitment point of view.
“Hopefully we can encourage more young people to take up careers in health care.”
