Graduate program – Nursing

Graduate nurses are an integral part of Mercy Health’s commitment to developing our future nursing workforce. We welcome graduates to join our team in providing compassionate and responsive care to people in need.

Our Graduate Nursing Program is designed to support graduates making the transition from student to registered nurse within a supportive and welcoming environment.

The program aims to promote educational opportunities to graduates as they consolidate their theoretical and clinical skills. This is a structured program with comprehensive orientation, professional development days and debriefing sessions, which are supported by the learning team, resource nurses and clinical nurse educators. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be presented with a certificate of completion.

All graduates are contracted to work 64 hours a fortnight (0.8 full time equivalent) for a program commencing in February and May 2025.

Five weeks of paid annual leave will be taken throughout the graduate year, as per the Nurses and Midwives Enterprise Agreement.

Rotations offered may include:

Graduate support and development

• Hospital and program orientation
• Supernumerary time at commencement of each rotation
• Clinical support is provided by the learning team and preceptors in the clinical areas
• Paid study days

How to apply

Click on the link and follow the steps

Application information

Please note:

• If you wish to apply for more than one graduate program then you will need to submit a separate application to each individual advert.
• Successful applicants are required to provide a current Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement.

What to expect

Our graduate program offers you the opportunity to transition from student to registered nurse/midwife. Mercy Health is committed to developing you in your new role, ensuring that your graduate year is an exciting and rewarding experience. Our program has been designed to offer you ward rotations that will assist you in gaining comprehensive clinical knowledge and experience.

At Mercy Health we want to ensure you maintain a great work-life balance, at the same time supporting your clinical growth and development. To do this, we offer our graduate program on a part-time basis of 64 hours per fortnight (0.8EFT).

Your fully-supported graduate year will prepare you for your nursing career.

Rotations

• We offer two six-month rotations, which allow you to consolidate clinical skills, enhance your decision making and improve critical thinking.
• Graduate nurses at Werribee Mercy Hospital are offered rotations in emergency, paediatrics, surgical, day procedure unit, perioperative, special care nursery, medical, palliative care and geriatric evaluation management (GEM).
• Graduate nurses at Mercy Hospital for Women Heidelberg are offered rotations in gynaecology and oncology, perioperative and special care nursery.

If you have a specific ward or specialty area you would like to work in, graduates are encouraged to list their preference in their cover letter. We endeavour to match you with your request.

How we support you

Mercy Health Graduate Programs offer you the opportunity to build on your knowledge in a supportive environment guided by experienced nursing education teams.

Our Graduate Program Lead is here to support you on your graduate journey and is responsible for all graduate recruitment and selection into the program.

Our education team is made up of experienced clinical nurse educators, clinical midwife educators, clinical support nurses and clinical support midwifes. The education teams are allocated to all units and are on hand to provide support during your graduate program

During your graduate year

You will be supported by a preceptor and the education team who will welcome you into our organisation and support your transition to practice. The education team will work with your preceptor during your supernumerary time and throughout your rotation. They will provide orientation and support in your new role.

Graduate education runs on a regular basis ensuring you are up to date with your practice. Debrief sessions are also run on a regular basis and are considered a confidential safe graduate space. Study days provide to enhance your knowledge and clinical skills.

Post your graduate year

A graduate ceremony will be held where you will be provided with your certificate of completion. Mercy Health has excellent retention of staff following completion of the graduate program. There are a wide range of employment opportunities including postgraduate and Transition to Practice programs in a variety of specialty areas. Please review our post graduate studies page on Mercy’s website.

Employee Assistance Program

Mercy Health offers the services of Converge International, which is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This is a free and confidential service available 24/7 for all staff. EAP can be accessed not only during challenging times but it can also provide a wide range of additional resources to support your health and wellbeing.

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