Graduate Nurse Program

SWAN HILL REGION “Heart of the Murray”:

The Swan Hill region is home to everything that is wonderful in life. A region rich in culture, bathed in sunshine, blessed with a bounty of delicious local produce. Home to great dining, wine and shopping. All this surrounded by the country’s most beautiful natural asset, the Murray River.

The Swan Hill region sits on the borders of Victoria and New South Wales. A major network of highways intersects at the Swan Hill region; the Murray Valley Highway from Melbourne, Echuca and Mildura; the Calder Highway from Melbourne and the Sunraysia Highway from Ballarat. The region is also well serviced by trains and coaches.

Swan Hill is a charming town situated on the Murray River with plenty to do and see. We are situated 4 hours north of Melbourne on the border of New South Wales. In Swan Hill, we live and work just minutes drive/walking distance.

 We have some great attractions including:

• The Pioneer Settlement https://www.visitthemurray.com.au/places-to-go/west/swanhill/products/pioneer-settlement or https://www.pioneersettlement.com.au/
• Sound and Light Shows.  https://www.visitthemurray.com.au/places-to-go/west/swanhill/products/heart-beat-of-the-murray-laser-light-spectacular
• PS PYAP https://www.visitthemurray.com.au/places-to-go/west/swanhill/products/ps-pyap
• The Murray River itself.
• Farmers markets most weekends in Swan Hill and surrounds.
• Day trips to see the Murray Silo Art and Murals https://www.visitthemurray.com.au/make-a-plan/drives-road-trips/murray-silo-art-and-murals-trail 
• Many sporting clubs https://swanhill.vic.gov.au/discover/sports-and-recreation/sporting-clubs/
• Many dining restaurants and cafes https://www.visitthemurray.com.au/places-to-go/west/swanhill/search?category=Food%20%26%20Drink

Weather in Swan Hill:

We generally have a dry, hot climate in summer wth temperatures during the day of around 35 degrees, and sometimes reaching as high as 45-48 degrees. The temperature is usually very mild at night. In winter, we have cold nights and mornings, but moderate afternoons and evenings.

Weekends:

Sport is very important in the Mallee with a large range of sporting clubs around from football and netball through to tennis and badminton, just to name a few.

We have a large range of restaurants and cafes, concerts, festivals and farmers markets. We also have a cinema complex open 5 days/nights per week.

To find out all about this thriving region go to www.swanhillonline.com for more information.

About Swan Hill District Health:

On September 22, 1860 the first patient was admitted to our hospital, a 35- year-old shepherd, James Brennan. The hospital was founded by a group of concerned, squatters of the district. Our hospital pre-dates many of the larger hospitals in our state.

In 2008 we changed our name from Swan Hill District Hospital to Swan Hill District Health to better describe the range of services we now offer.

Swan Hill District Health now has a total of 125 beds providing a broad range of health services to a catchment area of around 36,000 including care for medical, surgical, aged care, community and primary health, emergency, renal dialysis, chemotherapy, and radiography diagnostic services.

Accomodation in Swan Hill:

Unfortunately, Swan Hill District Health does not offer accomodation for staff. You will have to find your own rental through our local real estate agents:

raywhiteswanhill.com.au/

swanhill.ljhooker.com.au/

noelwatson.com.au/

realestate.com.au/rentals

ghrealestate.com.au/

broadrealty.eview.com.au/

 We also have a new residents’ guide to Swan Hill. You can browse the booklet via https://www.swanhill.vic.gov.au/community/your-community/new-residents/. This booklet contains everything you need to know about Swan Hill and our community.

Registered Nurse Graduate program rotations at Swan Hill District Health:

We have both Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife Graduate Nurse Programs available at Swan Hill District Health.

Swan Hill District Health offers it’s Registered Nurse Graduate Nurse Program over 52 weeks at eight days per fortnight. We select our Graduates, including one combined Nursing/Midwifery Graduate, from the PMCV Computer Match site: https://www.pmcv.com.au/login.  We have two intakes per year, taking on 15 Graduates at the start of the year and 2 Graduates at midyear intakes.

Each RN GNP will have three. Those placements include:

• Acute Ward—A mixture of medical, surgical and paediatric patients in a 25 bed ward with both public and private rooms.
• Emergency Department—An eight bed facility operating with Medical Officers 24/7
• Operating Theatre—Cases include general, orthopaedic, ophthalmic, gynaecological, urology, ear, nose and throat.
• Sub Acute—a 14 bed unit including rehabilitation, geriatric evaluation and management, transition care programs, palliative beds and a therapy area. This is a multidisciplinary area where you will work with a range of expert staff.
• Midwifery Unit—A fully contained four bed facility with two labour wards. You will look after all patients in, pre and post natal, all in one shift.
• Community Mental Health—supported rotation in case managing clients in the Swan Hill region and also improve your mental health skill set for future rotations and employment.
• District Nursing—A community nursing placement where you will be supported by a team of long term employees.

The combined Nursing /Midwifery Graduate will complete two rotations between Midwifery and Acute Ward.

Application for ongoing employment near the completion of the program is required.

Annual leave will be negotiated.

 Midwifery graduate nurse program overview:

Swan Hill District Health offers it’s Registered Nurse Graduate Nurse Program over 52 weeks at eight days per fortnight. In line with the RN Graduate Program, we select from the PMCV Computer Match site:

allocations.pmcv.com.au  We have one intake per year.

You will have:

• Plenty of supernumerary time
• Four allocated midwifery specific study days
• One graduate study day
• Regular debrief sessions with Clinical Midwifery Educator
• Neonatal resuscitation online and practical
• Breastfeeding education

 A Midwifery Clinical Educator is based on the ward 3 days a week to provide guidance and support throughout the graduate year. There is also a team of educators across the organization that can provide further education in other areas if required. The midwives working within the department are there to guide and support the graduate midwives, with preceptors being allocated to each graduate as someone they can go to for any help or support.

 Criteria for completions –

• Completion of clinical hurdles
• Satisfactory performance reviews
• Participation in study days

Enrolled Nurse Graduate Program at Swan Hill District Health:

Swan Hill District Health offers it’s Enrolled Nurse Graduate Nurse Program over 26 weeks at eight days per fortnight. We will advertise 2 times per year as we now have two intakes of up to 16 Graduates per year.

Each EN Grad will have two rotations over their employment contract. Those placements include:

• Acute Ward—A mixture of medical, surgical and paediatric patients in a 25 bed ward with both public and private rooms.
• Sub Acute—a 14 bed unit including rehabilitation, geriatric evaluation and management, transition care programs, palliative beds and a therapy area. This is a multidisciplinary area where you will work with a range of expert staff.
• Logan Lodge –our 45 bed Aged Care Facility which is designed to be more like home where residents are supported to maintain links with the community.
• Jacaranda Lodge—our 30 bed Aged Care Facility which is located 27km north of Swan Hill.

 Application for ongoing employment near the completion of the program is required.

 Annual leave will be negotiated.

Graduate nurse program overview at Swan Hill District Health:

Swan Hill District Health supports our Graduate Nurses with:

• Clinical Nurse Educators—a team of highly skilled nurses within most clinical areas to support you through your graduate year.
• Orientation and supernumerary time—Swan Hill District Health allows extensive orientation and supernumerary time at the start of the year and before each placement.
• Plenty of paid study days— RN graduates are allocated up to 12 in house study days with a range of guest speakers and specialty days throughout the year including in depth Advanced Life Support near the end of the year. EN Graduates are allocated up to 6 in house study days with a range of specialty education.
• Access to eLearning suite of courses—SHDH have their own eLearning portal completely controlled by the Education Support Officer and can be programmed to suit you.
•  Internal in-service education—every department at SHDH holds education in their handover time on specialty subjects which you can attend no matter where you are on the day. We circulate education calendars for each department. These are made available for all staff to view.
• Night duty—There maybe night duty included in your Graduate year.
• Award— You will be paid in accordance with the Nurses and Midwives—Victorian Public Sector EBA 2021-2024.

 Graduate nurse program support at Swan Hill District Health:

During your graduate year, you will have:

• The enthusiastic staff from all across Swan Hill District Health, including an experienced and committed Graduate Coordinator who are readily available to support you.
•  Informal and formal feedback throughout the year.
•  Learning objectives set prior to each rotation and keep a reflective journal through your whole journey as a GNP.
•  Undertake a supported learning program delivered by highly skilled Clinical Nurse Educators.
• A diverse  experience in a range of diverse clinical areas.
• Regular group debrief sessions with your peers in a safe environment to discuss any aspect of the program, including positive or negative.
• One on one mentoring sessions.
• In most areas, you will have preceptors or team nursing

We have tailored the GNP at Swan Hill District Health to be as interactive as possible. Each study day commences with an informal debrief session where you can discuss anything that has occurred through the month that you would like to ask advice about. However, if you can’t wait for the monthly study days, there will be opportunity to catch the graduate coordinator for a chat.

We hope that our Graduate Nurse Program brings new friendships in a team learning environment on our Graduate Study Days.

Information sessions for future graduate nurses of Swan Hill District Health:

In June each year, we hold information sessions for you to meet with our Education Manager. This is your opportunity to ask questions and get to know the Education Team at Swan Hill District Health.

We are also happy for you to ring or email the Education Centre at any time for questions or information.

We have upcoming scheduled information sessions for you to meet the Education Manager.

Via Zoom on Thursday 16th May at 10:00am OR Tuesday 28th May at 2:00pm – you can email us at GProgram@shdh.org.au for the link.

OR Face to Face on Tuesday 4th June at 1:00pm in our Education Centre, 62 McCrae Street, Swan Hill. Please email GProgram@shdh.org.au to register your attendance.

How to apply:

1. List Swan Hill District Health as a preference.
2. Email your application to GProgram@shdh.org.au addressed to: Ms. Jayne Stead—Education Manager

 Your application must include:

• Letter of Application / Cover letter
• A small photo
• Resume
• Two to three referees from previous employers

 Applications due as per PMCV timeline. We will update this page when we have more information.  

You will receive an acknowledgement email within 48 hours of your application being received.

The interview process:

We interview at the first opportunity after the closing date. The interview will be either face to face (preferable) or video (Zoom). Swan Hill District Health do not conduct group interviews.

 Beyond your graduate year:

At the completion of your graduate year, we hold a celebratory graduation ceremony with the educators, managers of the areas with rotations, Director of Clinical Care and the CEO.

Swan Hill District Health has fantastic opportunities for career progression after your graduate year.

We have:

• A Discovery Year in the Emergency Department—eight days a fortnight for six months working exclusively in the Emergency Department to help you decide if you want to complete further study in ED.
• Post Graduate courses in the Emergency Department, Acute Ward and Theatre with the support of our Clinical Nurse Educators.
• Paid Midwifery Student Model—two employees chosen per year to work and study in the Midwifery Unit eight days per fortnight for twelve months. After completing this year, you will be supported into a midwifery role for your future.

Please note that ongoing employment after your graduate year is upon successful application.

Cover letter tips

• Address cover letter to Ms. Jayne Stead Education Manager.
• Keep your cover letter to one page.
• Explain why you would like to complete a grad year at Swan Hill District Health

Resume tips

• Include the overall objective or summary about you.
• Identify your completed and current qualifications.
• Employment history. At each qualification, include bullet points outlining duties performed at that place of employment.

Who should I use as a referee?

A minimum of two professional referees – at least one of those being a current/previous employer.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When will I find out if I have an interview?

We follow the timeline of PMCV. As soon as the computer match closes and we have all of the applications, we will phone to schedule an interview date/time.

I have not registered with PMCV, am I eligible?

We will firstly interview the PMCV applicants. If we don’t get our numbers, we will make our way through the unmatched applicants. However, you are welcome to apply to Swan Hill District Health by emailing your application to GProgram@shdh.org.au. Please specify that you are not a PMCV applicant in your cover letter/in the email.

When does the graduate program commence?

At Swan Hill District Health, we have two intakes of RNs and two intakes of ENs per year.

What is the orientation process at Swan Hill District Health?

Your first two weeks will be a mixture of orientation and supernumerary days.

• Your first week is a mixture of hospital orientation and Graduate Nurse orientation, going through paperwork we use at Swan Hill District Health, as well as a tour and complete your competencies.
• You will then be out on your first rotation on supernumerary days, buddied up with experienced SHDH staff.
• The last day of the fortnight will be spent back in the Education Centre with the Education Manager/Graduate Coordinator for a debrief and more education.

What shifts will I work?

Nursing is a 24/7 career. Each area you will rotate to will have different hours. For example, if you are in the Emergency Department, Acute Ward, Logan Lodge, Jacaranda Lodge or Sub Acute have morning, evening and night shifts (you will not be working night shift) weekdays, weekends and public holidays. But if you are placed in Mental Health, the Palliative Care or Theatre, you will work Monday to Friday. Please note that the Operating Theatre have different start times throughout the day.

How many study days do I get throughout the graduate year?

You will four days orientation days, ten in house study days and supernumerary time in each area.

What are the nurse to patient ratios at Swan Hill District Health?

Swan Hill District Health works safely within its limits. We abide by ANMF regulations so each staff member and patient are safe and safely cared for. 

Where do I obtain further information?

If you have any questions or would like any clarification on anything, please email GProgram@shdh.org.au. You will receive a response from either the Graduate Coordinator, the Education Manager or the Education Support Officer within 48 hours of sending the email. Alternatively, please phone the Education Support Officer on 5033 9310 to answer or direct your query to the appropriate person.