The aim of the New Graduate Nurse Program conducted at Bankstown Health Service is to provide you with the necessary support in your transition into the workplace from academic study. Our program is designed to foster self-directed learning, and to encourage critical thinking in order to develop the problem-solving skills required to meet the challenges of the clinical environment.

Our Program is a dynamic new initiative aimed at responding to the needs of new graduates whilst promoting flexibility and choice, to the new novice clinician. We offer two types of graduate programs, which can be tailored to your needs and objectives. The success and popularity of this program is reflected in the increase of applicants who wished to join this program and organisation - up 40% on 2003 numbers.

The first is called the ‘Traditional Program’, which consists of:

• 9 months duration
• 3 monthly rotations consisting of a medical and surgical placement followed by a speciality rotation of your choice
• 5 orientation days
• Minimum of 2 Supernummary Days
• Preceptor, NE and CNE support
• 3 study days

The second, and more popular, is called the ‘Clinical Streaming Program’, which consists of:

• 12 month program
• 3 monthly rotations
• One rotation is a medical or surgical ward
• 9 months in your chosen speciality
• 5 days orientation
• Minimum of 2 Supernummary Days
• Preceptor, NE & CNE Support
• 3 study days
• Up to 5 days study leave for a course conducted by the College of Nursing (NSW) related to your chosen speciality

‘Career Pathway Days’
In your second year of clinical practice as a registered nurse, we recognise and strongly support the need for career development. One of your options once successfully completing the new graduate program, are ‘Career Pathway Days’. These days are designed to enable you to spend a half or full day with a CNS, CNE, NE, NUM, CNC up to the level of Senior Nurse Management. We believe this will assist you to focus on the career pathway you wish to pursue, and affording you a ‘realistic’ and ‘birds eye view’ of what really is required in these demanding positions.

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED SENT DIRECTLY TO BANKSTOWN HEALTH SERVICE USING THE ‘BANKSTOWN HEALTH SERVICE APPLICATION PACKAGE’. WE DO NOT RECRUIT THROUGH THE NSW HEALTH CONSORTIUM.

Selection Criteria

1. NSW Registered Nurse (List A) or eligible for registration with the New South Wales Registration Board
2. Australian citizenship or Permanent Resident status
3. Evidence of ability to adapt to change
4. Sound written and verbal communication skills
5. Commitment to enhance clinical skills and professionally develop

INDIVIDUAL NURSING PROFILES
ANGELA
“My name is Angela, and I have just completed my nursing degree at the University of Western Sydney. I commenced my graduate nurse program at Bankstown Health Service in March 2003 and it has been a great learning experience. I am participating in the new clinical streaming program, which is allowing me to work in critical care areas such as coronary care, accident and emergency and intensive care. Critical care is just one area of nursing I have an interest in. But what I have found in just four months of working at Bankstown Health Service is that there are so many different speciality areas and opportunities, which have been bought to my attention. There are so many opportunities in nursing at the moment, which makes nursing a very exciting and fulfilling profession to be apart of”.
 

HELLAL

“On completing my Bachelor of Nursing, I applied for a graduate position here at Bankstown Health Service. I had worked here previously as an under-graduate AIN for close to three years, so I knew the staff were friendly and always willing to assist me in learning and consolidating my new knowledge. Another reason that drew me to want to work here was the flexibility of the graduate program. I got to choose all the rotations that I had wanted!

At the present time I am on a rotation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). At first I was worried and scared of what would lay before me, but then I remembered that I felt the same way about my two previous rotations. That feeling was blown away in a matter of seconds when I realised I would receive all the support I needed from the staff and the wonderful educators who were always on hand if I needed help.

I aim to complete my graduate program, and intend to stay working here on a full time basis. I have gained knowledge and skills in many fields, and I know that at the end of the program, I would be confident enough to work in any area of the hospital. But I will remain in ICU for a while; this is where I feel I belong”.

  Suzanne Cadden CNE Aged Care

  Belinda Chisholm RN & Judith Isbister RN

New Graduate’s in the 2004 Program