NURSES and midwives across Queensland now have a chance to experience different working environments as the Nursing and Midwifery Exchange Program kicks off this week.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the Palaszczuk government's $1.5 million Nursing and Midwifery Exchange Program aims to upskill existing rural and remote staff, while encouraging their city counterparts to consider country life.

"This exchange will see nurses and midwives from rural and remote hospitals and health services increasing their skills, competence and professional networks at some of the state's busiest hospitals,” Mr Dick said.

"It also provides opportunities for nurses and midwives to experience rural and remote practice, while sharing their specialist clinical knowledge and experience with their counterparts.

An exchange pilot is currently under way, with two nurses from Logan Hospital exchanging roles with counterparts from St George and Dirranbandi hospitals.

South West Hospital and Health Board Chair Jim McGowan said the health service was very proud to be a partner in the state-wide exchange program.

"The state-wide Nursing and Midwifery Exchange Program will add a further step to our program of continuing professional development and skills improvement,” Mr McGowan said.

Geoff Rixon is an experienced registered nurse and has swapped his position at the Logan Hospital Emergency Department for an exchange at Dirranbandi Multi-Purpose Health Service.

"Coming out west means taking my decades of nursing experience and knowledge and applying it to a different environment and culture; it's a wonderful opportunity,” Mr Rixon said.

"Here in the bush you get to experience more holistic nursing, where you see the patient through their entire journey whilst in your care and get back to the basics.”

St George nurse Carly Clunes has only nursed in rural hospitals and is grateful for the opportunity to experience a more acute setting at Logan Hospital.

"Working in a busier department I've found I'm more exposed to nursing procedures and patient treatments that I seldom experience rurally,” MsClunes said.

"I'm gaining new skills that I will be able to take back to St George, which will allow me to help educate and support my team members.”