Nursing and midwifery graduate programs
Our programs provide a supportive environment for graduates to gain experience, acquire new knowledge, practice and consolidate clinical skills, develop leadership potential and socialise into both the workplace and workforce.
While each region offers a unique experience, all of our programs provide:
- A comprehensive orientation program followed by clinical practice on the ward/unit.
- Mentorship from a regional nurse educator to complement support from the broader nursing team.
- Rotations across a variety of environments and clinical settings.
- Access to the Dual Degree Graduate Program for Registered Nurses and Midwives. This program includes a six-month nursing rotation followed by a six-month midwifery rotation to consolidate skills across both disciplines.
- Professional development opportunities including access to online learning, study days, ward-based in-service education, free courses, monthly seminars and simulation sessions.
- Two weeks of annual leave per rotation with the opportunity to negotiate part-time hours and rostering requests.
- Access to generous salary packaging entitlements.
- Staff wellness initiatives including access to a free and confidential Employee Assistance Program.
Explore graduate opportunities across country WA
A range of positions are offered in Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra with three and six-month rotations are available. All Kimberley programs will suit graduates interested in Aboriginal health.
Broome Health Campus provides experience in the medical/surgical ward, perioperative unit, non-admitted services, paediatrics and an emergency department.
- The Midwifery Graduate Program is based at the Broome Health Campus maternity unit, which supports approximately 360 births per year. Graduates work across antenatal clinics with the possibility of rotations to the Midwifery Group Practice.
- For those with a specific interest in mental health there is an option to complete a graduate program solely in the mental health setting at Mabu Liyan, a 13-bed acute facility at Broome Health Campus.
- Option to undertake a Community and Population Health Program which provides experience in school health, sexual health and generalist areas.
Derby Health Service and Kununurra Hospital provides experience in the medical/surgical ward including paediatrics and an emergency department.
- Both hospitals also offer a range of nursing opportunities including adult medical and surgical, paediatrics, palliative care and mental health.
- Option to undertake a Community and Population Health Program which provides experience in school health, sexual health and generalist areas.
Fitzroy Crossing Hospital is a multi-site facility and offers a general ward and emergency department experience.
Learn more about living in the Kimberley and our services in the region.
Contacts
Nursing: wkrne@health.wa.gov.au
Midwifery: WACHS.GradMidwifeProgram@health.wa.gov.au
A range of positions are offered in the Midwest, including in general, theatre, paediatrics, emergency department, perioperative services, high dependency unit, dialysis, mental health and midwifery.
Graduates can:
- Work 12 months at Geraldton Health Campus or Carnarvon Health Campus or
- Work six months at Geraldton Health Campus followed by six months at a smaller hospital – including Exmouth, Kalbarri, Meekatharra, Dongara, Northampton, Morawa and North Midlands.
Geraldton Health Campus also offers the opportunity to extend your graduate program by six months to gain experience in speciality areas.
Learn more about living in the Midwest and our services in the region.
Contacts
Nursing: GNC.WACHS-midwest@health.wa.gov.au
Midwifery: WACHS.GradMidwifeProgram@health.wa.gov.au
Programs are available at Kalgoorlie Health Campus or Esperance Health Campus.
Kalgoorlie Health Campus offers rotations in emergency paediatrics, palliative care and infection prevention and control.
Specialty programs are available for those interested in developing skills in perioperative services, mental health and community health.
Newly qualified midwives can consolidate their learning and experience at the Kalgoorlie Health Campus maternity ward, which supports approximately 500 births per year.
Newly qualified registered nurses may also work under the direction of a midwife in the Kalgoorlie maternity ward to care for postnatal mothers and neonates in the special care nursery.
Learn more about living in the Goldfields and our services in the region.
Contacts
Nursing: WachsGoldfieldsNQN@health.wa.gov.au
Midwifery: WACHS.GradMidwifeProgram@health.wa.gov.au
Programs are available in Northam, Narrogin and Merredin, including rotations to multi-purpose sites.
Graduates will develop a broad range of skills during the program including managing emergency care and utilising emergency telehealth video for inpatient, outpatient and emergency presentations.
Multi-purpose sites include Beverley, Boddington, Bruce Rock, Corrigin, Dalwallinu, Dumbleyung, Goomalling, Kellerberrin, Kondinin, Lake Grace, Narembeen, Quairading, Southern Cross, Wagin, Wongan Hills, Wyalkatchem (Koorda) and York.
The Wheatbelt also offers the Transition to Specialty Program. The program is a second 12-month placement in supported positions in specialty areas such as emergency, perioperative, cancer services and population health.
Graduate midwives have an opportunity to work in the Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) at Narrogin and Northam to gain experience in antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care.
Learn more about living in the Wheatbelt and our services in the region.
Contacts
Nursing: WACHS-Wheatbelt.LD@health.wa.gov.au
Midwifery: WACHS.GradMidwifeProgram@health.wa.gov.au
Programs are available in Bunbury, Busselton, Bridgetown, Collie, Harvey, Bridgetown, Nannup, Boyup Brook, Warren, Pemberton and Margaret River.
Graduate nurses will develop a broad range of skills in managing general medical and surgical, paediatric and aged care patients and acute emergency care.
For those with a keen interest in developing skills in mental health or community health, there are dedicated programs in these specialities.
Graduate midwives can work in an inpatient setting at Bunbury or Busselton or in a Midwifery Group Practice in Bunbury, Collie or Bridgetown.
Learn more about living in the South West and our services in the region.
Contacts
Nursing: WACHS-SW.GraduateNursePrograms@health.wa.gov.au
Midwifery: WACHS.GradMidwifeProgram@health.wa.gov.au
Programs are available in Albany, Katanning, Kojonup and Gnowangerup, across general medical and surgical, day surgery, sub-acute care, emergency department, maternity and mental health.
There interested in specialising in mental health have the opportunity to work solely in the 16-bed acute mental health unit at Albany Health Campus.
Graduate midwives have the opportunity to develop their skills in an eight-bed maternity unit, which supports approximately 500 births per year.
Learn more about living in the Great Southern and our services in the region.
Contacts
Nursing: Janine.watts@health.wa.gov.au
Midwifery: WACHS.GradMidwifeProgram@health.wa.gov.au
Mental Health Graduate Program
Our Mental Health Transition to Practice Program provides support and training to newly qualified nurses in a variety of mental health settings.
The 12-month program, in partnership with Edith Cowan University gives qualified nurses experience working with individuals across the age spectrum and in a variety of mental health settings.
Additionally, the mental health program helps graduates to develop cultural competency and an understanding of the unique cultural perspectives and diversity of Aboriginal people in rural and remote WA.
The Mental Health Transition to Practice Program is currently available at Albany, Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Broome and Northam.
Combined mental health and general nurse programs are available in the Pilbara and Midwest.
Postgraduate studies
The postgraduate program includes a financial scholarship for two units and is funded by the WA Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office (CMNO).
Newly qualified nurses who enrol in the Master of Clinical Nursing Course can obtain a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Mental Health) on the completion of three 20-credit point units:
- Contemporary Issues in Mental Health (CMH5109) (Funded)
- Assessment in Mental Health (CMH5110) (Funded)
- An elective unit
The cost of the third unit will be the responsibility of the applicant.
Grants can be applied for through the CNMO website.
Scholarships and financial assistance
The WA Government is providing grants of up to $12,000 over three years for newly qualified registered nurses and midwives who relocate to remote and regional hospitals.
Newly qualified registered nurses and midwives who commence employment through GradConnect with WA Country Health Service may be eligible for this scheme.
View the HECS-Help Fact Sheet.