Twenty six new nurses will hit the ground running across the Territory this month, after graduating from the Top End Health Service (TEHS) Graduate Nurse Program.
The Graduate Nurse Program is designed to support nurses during the transition to employment after university, where they’re provided with an opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge with support from mentors and senior staff.
The program runs four times a year and consists of 12 months of clinical placement in a range of fields, including mental health, primary health care and acute care at Royal Darwin Hospital, Katherine Hospital and Gove District Hospital.
Carole Maddison, Clinical Learning, Education and Research, TEHS, said the health service was really pleased to see 26 of the 27 participants continue employment across the Territory.
“This is a great outcome for our health service,” she said.
“We are boosting our workforce with staff who have had practical experience on the ground with the support from senior staff and mentors.
“Graduates complete their rotations in various roles across the health service, including at our three hospitals, primary health care centers and within the Top End Mental Health Service. The graduates gain a comprehensive understanding of how our health service works and a head start for their future employment here.
“We have some great opportunities on offer for nurses here in the Territory, including our unique patient profile and a vast range of infectious and tropical diseases. Graduates from interstate often want to move up here to get exposure to clinical scenarios they may not see interstate.”
The program was developed with the intention to retain good quality staff in the Territory and has seen a high number of nurses secure ongoing employment at completion.
The next round of graduates commenced in mid-April and will continue on rotation until early next year.
If you think the Nurse Graduate Program is for you, recruitment for the next intake will commence in May 2018, for more information visit https://health.nt.gov.au/professionals/nursing-and-midwifery/nursing-and-midwifery-recruitment/graduate-nurse-and-midwife-programs
Media Note: An interview opportunity is available with Dr Carole Maddison and new graduate Jacinta Newman at Royal Darwin Hospital at 11am today.
Media contact: Rickie Abraham 0419 818 414