Nursing Career Opportunities
Albury Wodonga Health - Wodonga Campus (AWHWC) offers a range of different nursing careers. Whether you are looking for a new graduate program, post graduate study or wanting to test yourself with a Discovery Program we should have something suitable for you! If you are interested in employment at AWHWC please contact Heather Paech, Operations Manager on (02) 60517597, heather.paech@wrhs.org.au
Graduate Nurse Program
*****OPEN DAY FOR 2011 Graduate Nurse Program: April 28th from 12md - 2pm. Come and hear about the program and do a tour of the hospital. Download further information below or email Chris for further information. No RSVP required.
Program Coordinator: Christine Thwaites. Email chris.thwaites@awh.org.au or phone 02 60517443. Enquiries are welcome.
The Albury Wodonga Health - Wodonga Campus Graduate Nurse Program is highly sought after and very well supported, and provides a friendly environment for new graduate nurses in their transition to the role of Registered Nurse, Division 1. The program promotes quality patient care and professional excellence for our new graduates.
From 2010, AWH - Wodonga Campus will run two programs per year commencing in January and March, with an intake of up to 7 graduates in each program. We encourage graduate nurses to work 0.8 EFT (4 days per week) rather than full time, with the option of more shifts if available.
Entry to the Graduate Nurse Program:
Entry to the graduate nurse program is via the Victorian Nursing Computer Match system www.computermatching.pmcv.com.au. The computer match process commences in June of the previous year with the applicant sourcing all information and entering the process online. Applications to the Health Service are usually forwarded by the end of July and interviews are held in September. The computer match is usually completed mid October and offers of positions are then made for the following January program.
Rotations available:
All graduate program RNs spend approximately the first six months in Medical /Rehabilitation, Surgical or Day Procedure Units. All graduates have the opportunity to rotate to:
- Emergency Department (2 months),
- Day Procedure Unit (2 weeks to 1 month),
- Perioperative Suite (1 - 4 weeks),
- Midwifery (1 week),
- High Dependency Unit (1 - 4 weeks),
- District Nursing Service (1 week), or a choice of a week in a community based program such as Chronic Disease program, Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehabilitation, or Chronic pain program.
There is also the opportunity to rotate to Community Mental Health if interested. The length of rotations can be individualised for each graduate, with special interests catered for.
Program Structure:
The program commences on a Wednesday with 3 days paid organisation orientation. The following Monday is a dedicated day of orientation to the unit with an allocated supernumerary preceptor. The next two weeks are spent on the first unit in a supernumerary capacity with a trained preceptor. Following that the grad has their own patient load and is supported by the supernumerary Clinical Coach, Graduate Nurse Coordinator, nurse in charge, other RNs and other educators. When changing to the next unit there is a one week supernumerary period with a preceptor to orientate to the new unit. When rotating to Emergency, there is a one week supernumerary period, Day Procedure has two days supernumerary and all other specialty rotations are completely supernumerary. Grads have a total of 9-10 weeks supernumerary across the 12 month program. There are also five paid graduate nurse study days in the program.
What support do you receive in the program?
- A new initiative in 2010 – A Clinical Coach will be provided over the first 4 months to assist the graduates to orientate into the workplace routine.
- A dedicated graduate nurse coordinator who is there for you, non judgemental and wants you to succeed.
- Access to Clinical Support nurses and other educators.
- Staff who are willing teachers and supportive of new graduates. Most RNs allocated to graduates have completed preceptorship training.
- Approximately 10 weeks of supernumerary time across the year.
- A focus on education throughout the organisation: extensive inservice sessions are provided weekly.
- 24 hour access to the clinical skills centre 7 days a week to practice clinical skills.
- Regular debriefing sessions specifically for graduate nurses.
- If you make a mistake, you will be supported in learning from it, not punished. AWH promotes a no blame culture.
- You are encouraged to take 2 weeks leave (pro rata) during the program, with a possible option of more leave over Christmas / New Year. The rest of your leave entitlements accrue.
- A graduation ceremony and afternoon tea to celebrate your achievements at completion of the program.
What do I have to do to successfully complete the program?
- Complete all mandatory education sessions at orientation – CPR, No Lift, Infection Control, Manual Handling, Fire and Emergency codes, Prevention of Bullying and Harassment and Privacy and Confidentiality.
- Complete the following learning packages: Medication administration, documentation, & IV cannulation.
- Complete performance reviews with the grad nurse coordinator and nurse manager at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months achieving a satisfactory standard.
- Attend program study days.
- Attend 12 or more inservice education sessions over the year
- Attend a quality meeting and participate in a quality activity at a unit level.
- Present or co-present an inservice session on a topic of interest.
Why should you choose Albury Wodonga Health - Wodonga Campus Graduate Nurse Program?
- It provides a solid background in medical and surgical nursing along with rotations to specialty areas. The new graduate is able to obtain a picture of how the whole organisation works together to provide quality patient care, and also to identify any areas of nursing that may be of interest for further studies.
- Very high level of support from all staff.
- You will be encouraged to learn and develop throughout the year.
- You will be given honest feedback about your performance and strategies for improvement if required.
- Excellent employment opportunities on successful completion of the program.
- Fantastic opportunities for further study as we support staff studying Post Graduate Certificates/Diplomas in Midwifery, Rural Critical Care, Emergency Nursing, Perioperative Nursing, and Palliative Care among others.
- Discovery programs are available for High Dependency, Perioperative and Emergency Department post program.
- Albury Wodonga Health - Wodonga Campus are a member of the Hume Region Nurse Educators Group and are able to access a large number of courses and study days at very low cost. E.g. First Line Emergency Care Course, Wound Management Course, Leadership courses and a diverse range of one day workshops.
- Albury Wodonga Health - Wodonga Campus has Royal College of Nursing APEC accreditation.
- An excellent range of salary packaging options are available.
Comments from past Graduate Nurses
- “Staff were fantastic, very supportive and helpful.”
- “Loved the study days, we did great stuff like ECGs, Path results, Cannulation, going through the handover sheets discussing conditions and care”
- “I soon realised the grad nurse coordinator was not there to intimidate me, but to encourage and support, who was always available at any time, who went out of her way to help in any way possible, emotionally and professionally”
- “I found out that there was no such thing as a stupid question and I gained more sustainable knowledge because of it”
- "Previous grads told me that they thought their grad year at AWHWC was fantastic, so I busted my boiler to obtain a grad position at this hospital. Well worth it”
A booklet with more information, dates of the next programs and entrance requirements is available from the program coordinator. (chris.thwaites@wrhs.org.au)
| AWHWC Educators at the Spark of Life Conference...practicing! |  |
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Student Midwife Program - Paid Model
Post Graduate Diploma in Midwifery
This course enables Registered Nurses Division one, to gain Midwifery qualifications.
The program runs in conjunction with Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga Campus and is run in a distance education mode. Students are required to attend two residential blocks of a week each; one in February and one in July. Students study through the university for one academic year.
Albury Wodonga Health - Wodonga Campus provides the clinical component of this course. This is a paid employment model with students being employed by Wodonga Campus to work within the Maternity Unit for no less than one calendar year at 4 days a week.
Clinical rotations cover all areas within the Maternity Unity including Antenatal, Postnatal, Birth Suite, Special Care Nursery, Domiciliary and Antenatal Classes.
Incorporated into the program is extensive in-service education.
Support for students is provided by the Program Coordinator, the Clinical Nurse Support Midwife, trained preceptors and experienced midwifery staff. Many of the current midwives were past students of the program and can provide valuable assistance to the students throughout the course. Evaluations from past students have been very positive.
- “The support and education was fantastic throughout”
- “For anyone interested in midwifery this was a valuable program”
- “Fabulous course”
Wodonga Campus currently has two intakes per year, one commencing in February and one commencing in July with up to six places in each intake.
An Information Evening is run the first week of August and the first week of March each year in the Antenatal Room of Albury Wodonga Health - Wodonga Campus for those interested. If you are unable to attend and would like further information and tour the unit please contact the program coordinator.
Applications are direct through the hospital, with advertisements in the Local papers, Metropolitan papers, the Albury Wodonga Health - Wodonga Campus and Charles Sturt University internet sites twice a year, in March and August.
Joint registration is required in both NSW and Victoria, for those students wishing to enter the Charles Sturt University Program. Acute experience, as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) is a prerequisite for the course. Applicants selected will be required to attend an interview.
Fees are payable to the university. Commonwealth Supported Places / scholarships are available to assist with fees. Paid study leave is available to attend mandatory study blocks. At CSU Wagga Campus.
Ongoing employment opportunities as a registered midwife are available upon successful completion of the program and performance review.
Click here for application information in positions vacant.
Further information may be obtained from the program coordinator/Midwifery Educator:
Raylene Hare, raylene.hare@wrhs.org.au (02) 60517239 or go to the following CSU link:
http://www.csu.edu.au/student/contact
Discovery Program- Critical Care Areas
The Discovery Program provides a structured program of support and in–house education for approved Division One nurses whilst working in High Dependency, Perioperative Service and Emergency Department. The program is designed to meet the needs of the beginner or returning practitioner. It is not designed to replace a post graduate Critical Care/ED or Perioperative course.
The aim of the programme is to assist new or returning nurses make the transition into critical care areas by providing:
- A structured programme which addresses key clinical concepts and skills relevant to the area.
- Introduction to the role of the Division One Registered Nurse in the particular environment.
- Resources and support structures for the program participants.
- Dedicated Clinical Support Nurse in the three areas to coordinate the program and staff member.
It is hoped that provision of this programme will encourage participants to pursue further studies and qualifications in critical care and the Perioperative area, which will in turn, assist in providing staffing security for these areas in the future.
For further information regarding the AWHWC Discovery Program contact:
Post Graduate Studies
AWHWC is committed to support the ongoing professional development of nursing staff. Current post graduate studies being undertaken by AWHWC nursing staff include;
- Critical Care (ED & HDU) Graduate Certificate and Diploma– Deakin University
- Midwifery- Graduate Diploma- Charles Sturt University
- Perioperative Graduate Certificate & Diploma
- Palliative Care- Graduate Certificate
- Master of Nursing Science
All students are entitled to apply for post graduate study leave and other support.
For further information regarding post graduate study opportunities at AWHWC contact:
Debbie Gleeson, Staff Development Coordinator, (02) 60517435, debbie.gleeson@wrhs.org.au
Graduate Nurse Program 2011- Open Day Information (1830 KB)
