Ms Morrison was part of a team of 30 interns who started in February, when 11 nurses filled positions at Bloomfield, 17 at the general hospital and two began working both campuses.

Having grown up in Goolagong, Ms Morrison finished her tertiary education at Charles Sturt University through distance education in Orange, after moving to the city in 2016.

She said her experience at the hospital, which started with six months in coronary care, followed by six months in the medical ward, has cemented her decision to stay.

"It's a really good hospital. It's not too big, but we still have those critical care units which gives you the experience," Ms Morrison said.

Diana Ellis was part of the second of three intakes of new graduates who started at the Orange hospital in May.

Tasmanian born, Ms Ellis trained in Sydney and moved to Orange for the job.

She said the graduate program gave her instant access to a network of people with shared experience, who rely on each other for daily debriefs and who all have the same questions.

"Everyone checks in on each other," she said.

In total, 107 graduates and registered midwives were welcomed to the Western NSW Local Health District in 2019.

While positions were still being finalised for 2020, spokesperson for the health district, Kate Fotheringham said there had been an increase in retention of graduates on years prior.

Like Ms Morrison, Ms Ellis is part of the group who now consider Orange home.

"It's a good town, good people, free parking and affordable living and the diversity of the hospital keeps it interesting," she said.

"If you work over time here it's no drama because you knock off and your home in 10 minutes, if you're working late and then early in Sydney it's 45 minutes either way."

Ms Morrison has just been accepted to spend her second year in critical care, a highly sort after role which only took on six new nurses for 2020.

She said despite working hard for that position, her nursing experience has not been at all competitive.

"There's so many avenues people can go down, we all sort of support each other in that way," Ms Morrison said.

Both nurses agreed the occasional long hours and high-pressure environment can at times be tough.

"It's nice to be in a profession where you have tough days, but you are contributing something good," Ms Ellis said.

"As a new graduate you're not just thrown in the deep end, you're supported the whole way," Ms Morrison said.

"You get to help people when they're at their most vulnerable and I enjoy that."