Available Programs

Royal College of Nursing, Australia

New South Wales

Bankstown Health  Mater Sydney North Shore The San

Northern Territory

Alice Springs

Tasmania

Calvary Hobart

Victoria

Albert Road Clinic NorthWestern Mental Health

Western Australia

Eastern District Fremantle Hospital Sir Charles Gairdner

More Information

Nurse Registration

How to Advertise

Three years (or more) ago being a Registered Nurse seemed a long way away!  Now, all of a sudden, those years seem to have flown by and you are faced with a crucial decision - What do I do now?

Your degree has provided you with a very broad generic beginning level of competence for practice. The next year is the opportunity for you to consolidate your knowledge and skills and experience working life as an RN. It is an important decision so -

1. Take a deep breath and do some planning! 
2. Ask yourself if you know what you want to do after the graduate year? 
3. Have you got your CV up-to-date? 
4. Did you know that if you are already fairly certain where you want to work that many employers offer graduate years in specialty areas such as critical care, peri-operative, mental health and accident and emergency?
5. You need to find out as much as you can about the institutions offering graduate programs.
6. If possible can you talk to some graduates currently undertaking the program?
7. What happens if, after all this, I don't get the program that I want? Don't panic while ideally it is the best thing to do sometimes it just isn't possible! Approach an institution where you think you would like to work about joining their permanent staff AND/OR broaden your focus.  If your circumstances allow maybe think about doing your graduate year out of the metropolitan areas.  You will be amazed at the diversity of experiences that are open to you around our lovely country.

What is a good program?

How do you know what is a good program?  In part this will depend on your personal needs but the following is a guideline on what to look for. (Adapted from the Queensland Nursing Council's Position Statement on Transition Support Processes.)

A graduate program should smooth out the transition from student to new graduate RN enabling you to effectively apply knowledge and skills that you have learnt at university. You will require support until you gain confidence in your practice and in applying contemporary knowledge and skills in the workplace.  If it is done well you should experience a high level of satisfaction, as should the preceptors and mentors who work with you.  Don't forget that it is not just the employers or your mentor/preceptors responsibility to make sure it works it is yours as well.

1. Is the program individual enough to meet your needs? Do you get an opportunity to discuss what you would like to do and the areas that you need to work on? Is this assessment information used in planning your graduate year?
2. Is orientation to the institution and to the area(s) that you will work in a component of the program?
3. Are your mentor/preceptors appropriately prepared for their roles and willing to undertake them?
4. Are there educational opportunities that are appropriate for your level of knowledge and accessible to you?
5. Is there a culture within the organisation that is supportive and nurturing?

Finding Positions

There are numerous opportunities to find out more about graduate programs around Australia on www.nursingjobs.com.au . 

The organisations showcased on NursingJobs.com.au have all demonstrated a commitment to making this year one of the best of your professional life. 

If you can't find what you want on site then put in your own Nurse Work Wanted Ad!  You can identify yourself as a New Graduate, you can say where you want to work and the areas that you would like to work in.  It is a free service for nurses to advertise their availability and allows you to be contacted by employers who want you to work for them.

Welcome to the Profession!

from the Staff of Nursingjobs.