Monday was Chloe Hodges’ first day after studying at Charles Sturt University in Wagga.

Before becoming a nurse, she was an assistant-in-nursing at Gundagai Hospital’s aged care wing. In Cootamundra she’ll spend the next six months in the medical wing.

“As scary as it is and as nervous as I am on my first day, you’ve got take it on your stride and learn how to manage,” Ms Hodges said.

“Everyone has been really lovely and they don’t care about how many stupid questions that I ask – as long as you ask and don’t assume.”

Acting facility manager Sue McGlynn said clinical nurse educator and other senior clinicians would mentor Ms Hodges through her transition year.

Over time she’ll have the chance to learn and work in the operating theatre and emergency department.

“There are many areas of nursing that I’m interested in but I haven’t had enough experience to make a decision – midwifery is something I’m very interested in,” Ms Hodges said.

Ms Hodges is one of 11 new graduate nurses in hospitals around the Cootamundra electorate – and one of three working in the Cootamundra cluster which includes Gundagai and Junee.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said there were 51,000 nurses and midwives on the front line of health care in NSW.

“Nurses and midwives are the backbone of the public health system and I am delighted to welcome them to our beautiful part of the world,” Ms Cooke said.

“I wish all our new starters the best of luck with their careers and again welcome the invaluable contribution they make to our health system.”