Postgraduate Neonatal Intensive Care Program (1 year program)

Clinical placement is offered to participants undertaking a postgraduate neonatal intensive care nursing course through La Trobe University or the University of Melbourne. Applicants are required to apply for a position with their university of choice. Acceptance into the program will be in conjunction with a paid clinical position at the Mercy Hospital for Women Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Program outline:

Intake dates: placement commences at Mercy Hospital for Women in February (negotiable)

Entry requirements:

• registered nurse
• minimum 12 months’ recent acute nursing or midwifery experience (course dependent)
• registered with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (AHPRA), with current eligibility to practice
• successful applicant to either La Trobe University or the University of Melbourne
• successful applicant to a fixed-term position at Mercy Hospital for Women Neonatal Service.

Shift expectations: This is a one-year program and participants work on a rotating roster with a minimum 32 hours a week.

Theoretical input: Theory will be provided by either La Trobe University or the University of Melbourne. Clinical experience and practical support will be provided by Mercy Hospital for Women.

Clinical support includes:

• hospital orientation
• supernumerary orientation into the Special Care Nursery
• supernumerary orientation into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit tutorials at Mercy Hospital for Women
• clinical support provided by educator and clinical support nurses.

Associated costs: full fee as deemed by La Trobe University or the University of Melbourne.

Applications: Course notification: the course will be advertised in August/September. It will be placed on the following websites: Mercy Health Career’s website and Seek.

Department Information

Neonatal services at Mercy Hospital for Women has up to 62 beds, including neonatal intensive care and special care nursery cots. It is one of the largest nurseries in Australia.

We care for more than 1,300 premature and unwell babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nursery each year. We provide neonatal care for infants admitted to the nursery within the first 28 days of life with gestation as low as 23 weeks. These babies may be premature, or unwell full-term infants, requiring respiratory support, intravenous therapy, specialised feeding, incubator care or high technological care such as ventilation, high frequency oscillating ventilation and nitric oxide as well as minor surgery.

The neonatal team provides a family-centred care approach to the management of these vulnerable patients. Parents are encouraged to partner with staff to provide the best care for their baby. Developmental care is also an important factor in how we look after our our babies. We assess an infant’s individual needs and modify the nursery environment to ensure the best neurological outcomes.

The unit is involved in significant research and teaching programs, including international studies and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nursery training for nursing staff, midwives, students and paediatricians.

How to apply

Entry to Postgraduate Studies in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing involves successful application to La Trobe University or the University of Melbourne. Please identify Mercy Hospital for Women as your preferred hospital for clinical experience.

Affiliated education institution

University of Melbourne
Latrobe University

Contacts