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    TAFE NSW Shellharbour | 1 July 2025

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    Healthcare Heroes program at TAFE NSW inspires next generation of nurses

    “The program is a great way to explore different careers and see if I can handle the pressure.”

    Zara Hughes

    Sixteen local high school students have the potential to become the next generation of nurses after completing an eight-week Healthcare Heroes program at TAFE NSW Shellharbour.

    Healthcare Heroes is part of TAFE NSW Start Your Future, an initiative of the Educational Pathways Program, helping year 10 high school students identify potential career pathways through vocational tasters in a wide range of industries.

    One day a week, the students experience a taste of the hands-on training required for careers in nursing, aged care, allied health, and paramedicine, with the aim to inspire them to consider a career in the growing healthcare sector.

    Group of young students with stethoscopes around their necks stand in a circle looking down at the camera.

    With the new Shellharbour Hospital set to open in 2027 and healthcare needs driven by an ageing population and rising chronic illness, demand for skilled nurses and health workers continues to outpace supply – with national projections anticipating more than 79,000 nurses are needed by 2035.

    TAFE NSW Nursing Teacher Kate Topham, who has over 25 years of experience in emergency and critical care nursing, said it was good timing for the students who were highly engaged eager to learn, and considering career pathways.

    “The Healthcare Heroes program sparks curiosity in young people,” Ms Topham said. “Even for those not planning a career in health, it’s essential to understand how everyday choices like what we eat, our sleep, and how we manage stress, directly affect our physical and mental wellbeing. Making these connections and staying engaged with how our actions impact the body lays the foundation for lifelong health.”

    During the program, students experienced diagnosis and treatment of wound care, cardiovascular theory, and respiratory anatomy using life-like mannequins to simulate medical scenarios.

    “Sometimes I’ll teach them the same lesson I give my enrolled nurses, they’ll then go and test the nursing students afterwards it’s a fun, hands-on way for everyone to learn,” Ms Topham said.

    Students attended from Warilla, Dapto, Shellharbour, Figtree, Lake Illawarra and Bulli high schools. Warilla High School student Zara Hughes said the program confirmed her interest in nursing.

    “I love the idea of helping people and hearing their stories,” she said. “The program is a great way to explore different careers and see if I can handle the pressure.”

    Classmate Levi McGrath, originally wanted to be a surgeon, but said the program opened his eyes to nursing. “Now that I’ve done the Healthcare Heroes program, I really enjoy nursing, listening to the mannequin’s lungs and diagnosing conditions was so realistic.”

    Media contact: Adam Wright, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000

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