Graduate & Intern Program

The program - purpose, philosophy and aims

The purpose of the graduate programs at Barwon Health is to provide a professional development program for Graduate Nurses and Graduate Midwives that supports and fosters professional independence for the beginning practitioner.

The program is based upon a model of skill and professional development that enables the graduate to move along a continuum toward independent practice. The role of the support staff is to guide clinical learning and skill acquisition, and to promote reflective practice in the clinical setting. Self-directed learning and continued professional development are expected throughout the program. A problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making is fostered with the graduate adopting accountability and responsibility for their practice with the ability to recognise their individual limitations. Graduates will be provided with the opportunity for personal and professional development of interpersonal, clinical and leadership skills.

Aims of the program

• To build upon the undergraduate program and facilitate the transition of the graduate from student to registered practitioner.
• To integrate the graduate into the workplace by providing clinical support and educational experiences and activities to ensure the graduate understands their role in the patient journey and interdisciplinary team.
• To assist the graduate to develop clinical competency to perform safely, confidently and professionally within his / her scope of practice.
• To ensure the graduates practice within the Barwon Health values, code of conduct and accepted practice standards whilst adhering to all guidelines, policies and procedures.

General information

In 2023, Barwon Health will offer the following programs:

• Graduate Nurse Program
• Graduate Nurse / Midwife Program (combined program for double degree graduates only)
• Graduate Midwife Program
• Barwon Health and Great Ocean Road Health Collaborative Graduate Nurse Program 

Graduates at Barwon Health are employed to work part-time for 12 months, with opportunities for further employment upon the conclusion of the graduate program. All graduates attend a comprehensive orientation program at the beginning of the graduate program. Our programs commence in February and May of each year. We welcome expressions of interest outside of those times via our recruitment website. Barwon Health participates in the PMCV computer match process for the majority of our Graduate Nurse and Midwife positions, however, we will consider applications outside of that process also. We encourage anyone interested in our programs to submit an expression of interest or make an inquiry via our email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Graduate support and education – all programs

During your graduate year at Barwon Health, you will receive support from a variety of people including your preceptors, clinical staff, managers, other graduates and of course the graduate team.

Both nursing and midwifery graduates are supported by a team dedicated to the clinical and professional education of all graduate nurses and midwives. The team consists of the Graduate Program Coordinator, Clinical Support Nurses and a Clinical Support Midwife. Graduates working across all sites and areas are supported by the graduate team. The graduate team are available to assist graduates in areas such as medication administration, time management and prioritisation, performing clinical procedures, assisting with accessing resources or just for a general chat and reassurance. The graduate team can be contacted easily and are always happy to help graduates when needed.

As part of the transition from student to registered nurse/midwife, graduates are also provided with opportunities to learn outside of their clinical areas. This includes:

• Comprehensive orientation program
• Supernumerary time in each rotation
• Weekly graduate professional development – topics cover a range of clinical and professional topics presented by guest speakers and the graduate team
• Weekly clinical simulation sessions – focusing on the identification of the deteriorating patient, escalation of care and clinical communication
• Graduate study days – all graduates attend seven paid study days held throughout the year. Topics cover a range of clinical and professional topics, clinical simulation and clinical case studies
• Professional development leave - graduates are also entitled to additional leave as per the EBA. Graduates are encouraged to attend study days, courses or workshops either held within Barwon Health or provided externally to enhance their own professional development.
• Clinical competencies, learning modules and mandatory training – Barwon Health provide staff with access to Grow, a learning management system accessible online. 
  Graduation ceremony – held at the end of the program; a great celebration at the end of a rewarding and sometimes challenging year.

Graduate Nurse Program

Nursing graduates can choose from a wide selection of clinical rotations at our acute site (University Hospital Geelong), sub-acute site (McKellar Centre), community nursing and partner sites. Successful candidates will complete a rotation preference form and discuss possible rotations with the Graduate Program Coordinator after the completion of the computer matching process.

Nursing graduates complete two clinical rotations in any of the areas listed below:

• Community nursing (Belmont, Corio or Newcomb)
• Barwon Medical Imaging
• Mental Health 
• Emergency Department (six month and 12 month positions)
• Gretta Volum Day Surgery Centre
• Operating suite and recovery
• Paediatrics
• Special Care Nursery
• Cardiac Services
• Oncology
• Specialist medical units
• Specialist surgical units 
• Inpatient rehabilitation
• Palliative care 

Graduate Midwife and combined Nursing/Midwifery Programs

Barwon Health Maternity Services provides pregnancy, birth and post-natal care to the Geelong community and the wider Barwon South West region. Maternity Services cares for more than 2,500 pregnant women and their babies born at University Hospital Geelong each year. Our staff are dedicated to providing quality, safe and culturally appropriate care in partnership with women and their families using evidence-based care to achieve the best health outcomes.

Please note: For applicants completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery are only eligible to apply if currently undertaking their studies in the clinical placement model. In addition, you may only nominate midwifery positions (Graduate Midwife Program) on your PMCV list. Candidates currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery and are employed by a health service are not eligible to apply. Please click here for more information regarding business rules and candidate eligibility.
Graduates participating in the combined nursing/midwifery program will spend six months within a specialist medical nursing unit and six months in maternity services. Graduates wishing to undertake a midwifery graduate program will spend the entire year within maternity services.

Combined Nursing/Midwifery Program:

• Birth suites
• Postnatal
• Acute specialist medical
• Special Care Nursery

Graduate Midwife Program:

• Birth suites
• Postnatal / antenatal
• Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU)

In addition to the extensive education program provided to all graduates, those undertaking the combined Nursing/Midwifery program and Graduate Midwife program will also attend the following study days:

• Practical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training (PROMPT)
• Fetal Surveillance Education Program
• Breastfeeding study day 

Barwon Health and Great Ocean Road Health Collaborative Graduate Nurse Program

This program is an introduction to rural health and provides a six-month rotation at Barwon Health and a six-month rotation at Great Ocean Road Health. Participants will be able to provide a preference at the time of recruitment for which campus they would prefer to be located at. There may be accommodation available at the Apollo Bay campus.

There are four positions in this program, with a February intake.

For further information about Great Ocean Road Health, visit https://www.greatoceanroadhealth.com.au/graduate-program/lch/

Information sessions

Information sessions for our 2024 Graduate Program will be announced soon.

Please note the sessions do not cover the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Service Interprofessional Graduate Program. Please visit https://www.barwonhealth.org.au/careers-volunteers/graduate-careers/mental-health-drugs-alcohol-service for more information.

Recruitment Process – Applications

Barwon Health will be taking expressions of interest for our 2023 programs throughout the year from interested applicants. Please go to https://barwon.mercury.com.au/ to apply.

Information regarding applications to our 2024 Graduate Programs will be released soon. If you have any questions please email the Graduate Program This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 0422 040 491.

Recruitment Process - Interviews

Due to the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, our interview process will be organised in a way that balances physical distancing requirements, meeting our candidates and making them feel comfortable to be their best whilst still getting all the information we need to ensure we select the best candidates for the role. Further detail regarding our interview processes will be provided during our information sessions.

Click on the 'Start your career with us' link to get some more hints and tips about preparing applications and the interview process. 

Enrolled Nurse Transition to Practice Program - Aged Care

The purpose of the Enrolled Nurse Transition to Practice Program at Barwon Health is to provide a professional development program for recently graduated Enrolled Nurses that supports and fosters growth and development for the beginning Enrolled Nurse practitioner in the aged care environment.

The program is based upon a model of skill and professional development that enables the Enrolled Nurse Graduate to move along a continuum toward confident and competent practice. The role of the support staff is to guide clinical learning and skill acquisition, and to promote reflective practice in the clinical setting. Self-directed learning and continued professional development are expected throughout the program. A problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making is fostered with the graduate adopting accountability and responsibility for their practice with the ability to recognise their individual limitations. Graduates will be provided with the opportunity for personal and professional development of interpersonal, clinical and leadership skills.

Aims of the program

• To build upon the skills and knowledge acquired during the enrolled nurse qualification and facilitate the transition of the graduate from student Enrolled Nurse to registered practitioner.
• To integrate the graduate into the workplace by providing clinical support and educational experiences and activities to ensure the graduate understands their role in the resident journey and interdisciplinary team.
• To assist the graduate to develop clinical competency to perform safely, confidently and professionally within their scope of practice.
• To ensure the graduates practice within the Barwon Health values, code of conduct and accepted practice standards whilst adhering to all guidelines, policies and procedures.

General information

In 2023, Barwon Health will offer four Enrolled Nurse Transition to Practice Program - Aged CareThe program is 12 weeks duration and includes a three-week rotation to the Memory Unit-Blakiston Lodge also located at the McKellar Centre.

The EN TTP is supported by a dedicated Clinical Support Nurse, the Aged Care Clinical Nurse Education team and the Graduate Program Coordinator. EN TTP participants are provided with an ongoing contract of employment at 0.8 with Barwon Health and are assisted to find a role that suits them within Aged Care at the end of the program by the Collaborative Recruitment Team.

Participants attend a comprehensive three-day orientation program which covers aged care specific information to ensure that participants feel confident and work ready when they commence on the floor.

The program is scheduled to commence on the following dates in 2023:

• 11 April
• 3 July
• 25 September

To apply

The program is advertised on our careers website prior to each intake date. Interested applicants should sign up to the careers website to be notified when the program is advertised.