St Vincents & Mercy Private

Division 1 graduate nurse program

Our program gives you the opportunity to explore exciting high acuity clinical areas such as cardiothoracics, neurosurgery, major plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopaedics and colorectal surgery.  We also encourage our graduates to experience nursing in specialty areas such as intensive care, anaesthetics, recovery, cardiac catheter laboratory and midwifery.

Who is eligible?

The Division 1 Graduate Nurse Program is offered to nursing graduates with less than 12 months working experience, who have completed a Bachelor of Nursing Program and are eligible to gain registration with the Nurses Board of Victoria.

Aims of the Program

The overall aim of the program is to facilitate your transition from student to registered nurse. We are completely committed to developing your career and ensuring that your graduate year will be an exciting and rewarding experience. Our Program has been designed to

• Offer you a wide range of rotation options so that you gain comprehensive clinical experience
• Enable you to use your knowledge to achieve quality patient outcomes
• Increase your confidence and strengthen your skills base
• Develop your ability to work independently and as a team member
• Enhance your decision making and critical thinking skills
• Allow you to enjoy your nursing career

Rotations

3 x 4 month rotations will allow you to enhance decision making skills and critical thinking skills across a broad clinical mix.Graduates have the opportunity to nominate which clinical areas they would like to rotate to and we try very hard to match you with your requests. Most graduates have two ward rotations and one specialty rotation. You do not need to have undergraduate experience in any of the clinical areas.

The program is conducted over the three campuses (St Vincents Private, Mercy Private and Vimy Private) and graduates should expect to have rotations at least two of our campuses.  Mercy Private is a 12 minute walk from St Vincents Private through the beautiful Fitzroy gardens from and Vimy Private is only 5kms away in Kew.  All campuses are easily accessible via public transport.

Rotations include:

General Ward Rotations

• Colorectal/GIT/Hepaticobiliary                 
• Orthopaedics
• Vascular medicine and surgery                
• Acute Neurosciences (85% acute surgical)
• Oncology/Haematology                          
• General Surgery
• Cardiac/Cardiothoracics                         
• Thoracics
• ENT                                                   
• Urology
• Gynaecology

Speciality Rotations

• Midwifery (no midwifery experience required)
• Coronary Care/ Cardiac Services
• Day Procedure Unit
• Intensive Care
• Victorian Plastic Surgery Unit
• Paediatrics (some adult nursing)
• Theatre- Peri-operative, Anaesthetics, PACU
• Cardiac & Vascular Catheter Laboratory

Clinical Support

We are proud to offer one of the highest graduate to nurse educator ratios in the state, so you can be confident that you will have the support you need to achieve your goals.  All of our education team members are hands on and are willing to assist you. 

Our graduates receive extensive clinical support on each rotation. You will be allocated a preceptor, and clinical coach and education coordinator.Clinical coaches provide hands on bedside clinical support and education in a friendly and supportive manner.

On your first ward rotation you will receive a 4 week graduated workload to assist you in the transition to registered nurse.  This means that your first week is supernumerary, week 2 you will receive a 50% patient allocation, weeks 3 & 4 75% allocation and week 5 a full patient allocation.

You will receive up to three weeks supernumerary time for specialty rotations.

We offer an extensive education programs, including a minimum of 5 paid study days as well as access to free ward based education, twilight seminars and short courses. Some of the programs we run include the Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills Program, Neurosciences Short Course, Plastic and Reconstructive Nursing Short Course, ECG Rhythm and Recognition Course and Advanced Life Support Program.

Application Details

We welcome applications from all universities, including interstate and overseas. You don’t have to have completed a clinical placement with us to apply. 

Local applicants need to register and apply via the Computer Matching service – for information regarding this service, please contact PMCV at www.pmcv.com.au

International applicants are welcome to apply and if selected for an interview, will have the opportunity to attend an interview with applicants who have applied through computer match.  Applications for international applicants close on the same date as applications for computer match close.  While you will be ineligible to apply though computer match, please refer to the entry as you will need to send me the same application information.

Overseas applicants are welcome to apply and applications close on the same date as applications for computer match close. While you may be ineligible to apply though computer match, please refer to the entry as you will need to send me the same application information. We are happy to offer phone interviews to overseas applicants.

Intakes are January and March.  We offer full time and part time positions (minimum of 7 shifts a fortnight), and you are employed on a permanent basis.

Applications must include:

• A covering letter
• Succinct Curriculum Vitae (no more than three pages), with two referees, one of whom must be from an acute care placement of two weeks or longer
• A certified copy of academic results with legend
• Two recent certified clinical assessment tools, one must be from an acute placement, preferably surgical (please send entire document)
• Passport sized photo

Please send your application via the post or hand deliver to reception at St Vincents Private campus (59-61 Victoria Pde, Fitzroy, 3065). We do not have an on line application process and there are no application forms to complete.  Applications received via email will not be accepted.   

We don’t require you to assemble your application in a particular order and if you wish you can staple or bind your application.  

Interview Process

We endeavor to respond to your application within in 48hrs of receiving it. All applications will be opened and reviewed by the Graduate Program Coordinator.

If you have been selected for an interview you will be contacted via phone. If you have not been selected for an interview you will receive a letter in the mail.  You will have some choice and flexibility when selecting an interview time, the earlier your application is received the more flexibility you will have in selecting a suitable interview time.

Interviews consist of a small group interview and an individual interview. We don’t ask in depth clinical scenario questions and there are no drug calculation tests or essays.  Our individual interviews are conducted one on one, in a quiet private room. We know that you will be nervous so we aim to make your interview experience fun, interactive and enjoyable.

Frequently asked questions

How do I improve my chances of being selected for an interview?

We know that you have put a lot of time and effort into preparing your application and we will open and review all applications.  Please pay particular attention to your spelling and grammar.  It is a good idea to get someone to check your application.  Make sure you send in all of the required information.  Aim to send in your application at least one week prior to the closing date- if we need to clarify anything with you then you will have plenty of time to resend information if needed.  95% of applicants will be interviewed.  Unsuccessful applicants have often sent in incomplete applications, have made a number of spelling and grammar errors or have sent in an application intended for another hospital.   I am happy to answer any questions you have when preparing your application- just call or email me.

Will I get extensive clinical experience as I have heard that private hospital patients are not as acute as public hospital patients?

Our patient mix ensures that you will be able to care for patients who have had highly acute and complex surgical procedures such as open heart surgery, acute interventional cardiac procedures, major orthopedic and reconstructive surgery, craniotomies and spinal surgery, major abdominal and vascular surgery.  We also receive acute admissions from surrounding emergency departments and direct emergency ambulance admissions.

What level of Medical support is available to assist me with caring for my patients?

Our Surgeons and Physicians visit patients at least daily (often more) and actively liaise with the nurses looking after their patients. We also uniquely have medical and surgical residents and after hours onsite HMO’s who are available to assist you with patient care.   Our ICU, Cardiac and HDU units are available for patients who need extensive monitoring and support.  You will always have access to the support you need to provide highly quality care for your patients.

What level of allied health support is available?

Our patients have access to full allied health support such as onsite physiotherapy, dieticians, diabetes educator, social work, stomal therapy and discharge planning.  We also have onsite x-ray departments and pathology.  These services also offer great support to nursing staff and are always willing to answer any questions you have regarding their service and also patient care.

Will I have to do night duty?

We only require you to complete a maximum of two weeks night duty during the program.  Graduates are not rotated onto night duty until their second or third ward rotation.

I have not completed a clinical placement with you- will this affect my application?

We welcome applications from all universities and it does not matter if you have not had the opportunity to have a placement with us. 

Do I get to nominate which clinical areas I go to as part of the graduate program?

Yes.  At interview you will fill out your preferences for which intake you would like to go into and which clinical areas you would like to rotate through.  Every effort will be made to ensure your rotations match your preferences however some areas are more popular than others.  We never send any graduate to an area that they have ranked in the lower half of preference lists. Graduates are encouraged to rotate into a specialty area as part of the program.

What options are available at the end of my graduate program?

All graduates are employed on a permanent on going basis.  At the end of the program you may wish to apply for post graduate studies, the advanced clinical practice program or casual work.

For further information

Please visit us at Nursing EXPO, Sunday 18th of April 2010 at the Royal Exhibition Buildings Carlton Gardens, Melbourne. 

We will also have Information sessions for prospective graduates. The information presented at each session is the same.  Sessions run for approximately 90 minutes and include a presentation and hospital tour.

Mercy Private

Thursday 27th of May, 2010, 2pm
Seminar Room, Ground floor
159 Grey St, East Melbourne

St Vincents Private

Saturday 29th of May, 2010, 10am
1st floor waiting area
59-61 Victoria Pde, Fitzroy

Vimy Private

Wednesday 2nd of June, 2010,2pm
Please meet in foyer area near radiology
5 Studley Ave Kew

I am also happy to arrange individual or small group tours of our hospital where you will be able to meet some of our graduates, educators, doctors and support staff.

Looking forward to meeting you!!

Trish Fenner
Education Coordinator
Graduate Nurse Program
St Vincents and Mercy Private Hospital
59-61 Victoria Pde
Fitzroy 3065

Phone: (03) 9411 7332
Email: fennert@stvmph.org.au

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