Two sisters from a set of Maryborough triplets will soon work together as graduate nurses after successfully completing USC’s Nursing Science degree.

Twenty-year-olds Jemma and Hayley Coyne were among the first cohort of Nursing Science students from USC Fraser Coast to complete the three-year Bachelor program at the end of last year.

USC will hold a special ceremony on Friday 19 January to recognise the study and career success of the 12 students who have all found positions as nurses.

The Coyne sisters, who will begin Queensland Health’s graduate nursing program early next month, said nursing had been a shared career goal since starting high school at St Mary’s College.

“Leaving our home town was never an option so being able to study locally and to gain graduate positions with the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service is wonderful,” said Hayley.

She said the hands-on, integrated experience they gained through work placements, which included practicums in aged care, paediatrics and emergency care, was an invaluable part of USC’s Nursing Science degree.

The USC Fraser Coast graduands will officially receive their degrees in April, when the University stages its first Graduation ceremony in the region.

Applications are open to study at USC, starting Semester 1 on 26 February 2018. Details on how to apply.

— Clare McKay