Combined Graduate Midwife/Nurse Program

PROGRAM AIM

Western Health's Combined Graduate Midwife/Nurse Program aims to be stimulating, rewarding and a positive consolidation of practice as a professional Endorsed Nurse/Midwife. We are committed to the facilitation of the continuing development of the beginning practitioner in a learning organisation. Supported by the clinical expertise of educators, clinical support midwives, colleagues, mentors and a structured education program. This program consists of study sessions which focus on clinical decision making and clinical skills, the management of women throughout the continuum of care and professional practice.

Eligibility

• Must be completing an Undergraduate Double degree in Nursing and Midwifery in 2020
• Must hold a practicing certificate with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) by 2021
• Must not have undertaken any other Midwifery or Nursing Graduate Program

Program Duration

• Part Time – 0.84fte (8 shifts a fortnight)
• 53 week duration
• Ongoing contract post program

Rotations

• Major rotations -  Birthing and Postnatal (short but often)
• Short rotations approx. 4 weeks -  Antenatal Clinic, Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC)
• Nursing Rotation – 4 month rotation to a Nursing Unit at Western Health
• Annual leave – 4 weeks pre allocated in program
• Minimum of two supernumerary shifts will be provided at the commencement of each new rotation.

Intakes

25 January 2021

19 July 2021

Support

A team of Nursing/Midwifery Educators, Clinical Response Support Midwives (working 24/7) and ward nurse/midwives are available to guide and support in the clinical setting.

Education Manager/graduate program coordinator and Line managers are available for support to all graduates.

Criteria for Completion

• Satisfactory clinical hours (minimum 64hrs/fortnight)
• Completion of Clinical Hurdles each rotation
• Satisfactory Performance Development Review
• Development and delivery of a project for Professional Development (in nursing or midwifery rotation)
• Participation in Graduate Study Days

A certificate will be presented on successful completion of the Graduate Midwife Program

Study Days

• 4 Days orientation for all graduates at commencement of program
• 3 Allocated professional development days 
• 1 Graduate Study Day

These study days aim to prepare graduates for commencement in the organisation, ensure competencies are met and practice development addressed and enhance knowledge and bridge the theory to practice gap.