The Women’s provides graduate registered nurses with many opportunities to learn and consolidate their learning in a variety of women’s health and neonatal settings.
Program
We provide a learning environment that facilitates motivation and self-directed learning, and the development of a professional identity, with support and guidance.
Duration
12 months
Rotations
The following rotation areas are available to Registered Nursing graduates in our program:
- Gynaecology & Women’s Cancer services: 5 North (Includes Complex Care)
- Neonates including Special Care Nursery and High Dependency Nursery
- Perioperative Suites. Includes Theatre; Anaesthetics, Post Anaesthetic Care Units & Day Surgery Unit
Placements are for 12 months in one area or a combination of 6 months in one area and 6 months in another. Graduates are asked to provide their placement preferences with their application. These will be further discussed at interview. Every attempt will be made to place graduates in their preferred areas, however, this may not always be possible.
Graduate nurse requirements
- Regular 3-monthly appraisals in each placement area
- Adult Basic Life Support (ABLS) competency
- Neoresus first response training
- Emergency Management
- Researched 5-minute reflective presentation to graduates at their professional development day
- Reflective journal x4 submitted throughout the year
- Medicines Management
- Smart Move
- Hand Hygiene and Infection Prevention
- Respectful workplace behaviours
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, participants receive a hospital certificate.
Professional development days
Professional development days are provided throughout the year, occurring more frequently early in the year. These study days are tailored to meet the specific needs of the graduate group and cover a broad range of topics. These include clinical skills as well as the extensive range of services offered at The Women’s, including speakers from the Women's Alcohol and Drug Service, Neonates, Oncology Unit, Acute Pain Team, Women’s Health Clinics, and Reproductive Loss service, and many other areas.
Night duty
Graduates are generally not rostered night duty during the first 6-8 weeks of employment.
Advocacy
The Women's supports the rights of women to make individual decisions related to their health and well-being. This also includes making available pregnancy termination services. In your role as a graduate nurse you may care for women undergoing termination of pregnancy and, included in your care, you may be required to administer the first medication in this process.
If you have any concerns in this regard you may need to rethink whether the Women's is the right hospital choice for completion of your Graduate Nurse program.
Commencement
Our Graduate Nurse Program has two intakes - in February and in May.
Information evening
The 2026 Graduate Nurse Information Evening was held online on Tuesday 20 May. Please watch the recording below.
How to apply
Applications for the 2025 Graduate Nurse Program will open on Monday 2 June 2025 and close on Wednesday 2 July 2025. Applications will need to be submitted through careers.thewomens.org.au
Related information
Downloads and Related Topics
Date reviewed: 15 April 2025
Date reviewed: 15 April 2025