Graduate Nurse

sydneymum14 · Nov 18, 2010

Well that is all very interesting. I am in 1st year uni and I work as an agency AIN and have done for 2 years. I have seen so much variety and have gained so much knowledge about different patients and their different illnesses and how they cope, just doing that. I highly reccommend it for experience. I am 45 so have started uni late, am loving it and doing well, but my plan was not to do a grad year in hospital as by the time I finish I will be 50 so was planning to just work for my agency as an RN. I think I am too old to go into hospital..I mean energy wise etc. Not really even looking forward to the pracs..hour wise I mean. Interest wise yes. What do you think of that idea??

talaxandra · Nov 18, 2010

Unless you're planning on working in sub-acute or aged care, agency without supported, post-grad experience is really difficult. While some agencies provide a modified form of a grad program, it only includes education and not on-site support. The learning curve from graduate to practitioner is really steep, and many of our grads struggle, even with a lot of tailored support.

sydneymum14 · Nov 20, 2010

Yes it is an aged care agency that I work in.

AusRN · Dec 6, 2010

Hello! I'm in SA but I'm completing my Grad program here,

Get paid pretty well. Year long contract with a rural placement, medical/surgical and currently on Paeds

All the states have grad programs, and I know the ones in the city offer a great variety. A friend of mind who is post grad next yr is doing med, radiology, ER, theater and ICU....

After your grad year there are programs around the place that are ER based, not sure where they are though- think it's in Sydney??

Competition has greatly increased though for grad positions so I would recommend working in a nursing home/assistant in nursing position, I was a aid in my second year and did an undergrad position at the hospital in my third year.

Good luck :)

rachelgeorgina · Dec 13, 2010

I'm just completing my second year of my degree and with the applications for new grad positions a little over six months away it's starting to really hit home. We've all heard about the shortage of new grad places and it's beginning to stress me out. Especially because I have my heart set on a children's hospital and of course those spots are hard to win. Maybe we could generate some discussion about what makes a great new grad applicant?

Someone has mentioned that working in a clinical setting throughout uni makes a difference, which encourages me. I've been working as an AIN for the last two years - three quarters of which I've spent working in two different paediatric settings. I've also just accepted a position as an undergrad AIN at a major children's hospital. Hopefully that puts in me in good stead come selection time next year.

What other things make someone a good candidate for a new grad position?

My other question was - what are other people's opinions on hospitals with the best new grad programs? I've noticed a lot of hospitals have cut down the number of rotations new grads get - some offering no rotations at all.. Is this a good or a bad thing?

Most of all - where do you want to do your new grad program?!

AusRN · Jan 30, 2011

I was meant to spend a month in high dependancy unit as part of my program but never got the chance due to budgeting, in the country I believe its a bit more tight out here than in the city.

Wish I'd gone to the city to do my post grad year

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2011

Hi, I will be entering my BoN program in Fall of 2011 and I have a question.
When I finish -- 3 long years from now -- what jobs would I qualify for?
After looking at the job postings for Victoria on the major nursing employment sites. The one recurring theme is EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
The only listings I can find with the keyword "Graduate" is for Graduate Nursing Programs where I pay to work somewhere for at least a year.
Will I spend three years in school and clinicals only to find myself unemployable?

Rick don't know if anyone has told you this, but you do NOT pay to do a GNP (Graduate Nurse Program). They pay you, you get your holiday and overtime rates - usually 4-6 weeks off - and you work all shifts for 12 months. Then you get your GNP certificate when you graduate.

Ramsay health care has hospitals all over Australia and Victoria would have GNPs at all major hospitals, and most country hospitals too.

Some agencies do GNPs as well. I'd be googling all the ones in Victoria and emailing them and everyone else, as applications close one year ahead of time for the next intake - and they are all VERY competitive.

Let us know how you get on please.