Graduate employment in private sector

New graduates may be employed by SA Health (public hospitals) or by Private Hospitals or Aged Care Services. Many Private Hospitals and some Aged Care Services provide graduate support programs like the TPPP.

For information about work and graduate programs in the private sector contact the private hospital directly or check their website. For information about public sector graduate employment and TPPP see below.

Transition to Practice Progams (TPPP)

Nursing/Midwifery Transition to Professional Practice programs (also known as Graduate programs) are for nurses and midwives who have successfully completed their undergraduate qualifications, have registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and are commencing their first year of professional practice.  

The Transition to Professional Practice (TTPP) Framework Guidelines states:

Transition to Professional Practice aims to facilitate a supportive environment to enable new graduates to undertake a process of:
• developing positive attributes and attitudes to work;
• skill consolidation;
• building clinical confidence and
• defining their professional responsibilities and boundaries.

Programs are run by most public and some private hospitals within the metropolitan area. In the rural setting, programs are generally run through a regional health service and can be undertaken at one or a combination of hospitals depending on regional arrangements. 

The programs vary in length (6-12 months) and content, however, all include a theoretical and clinical practice component. Graduates are employed by the health unit/service and work on a rotating roster while completing the program. Some mental health facilities may offer graduate nurses the opportunity to undertake a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing during their clinical placement.

All details relating to the TPPP for both Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives are available by logging on to:www.health.sa.gov.au/careers and clicking on the relevant tile. Please refer to the website for all relevant information including the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers which should answer most of your questions.

For your information SA Health will be offering the following programs:

Please note that in accordance with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship requirements, SA health are required to give priority to applicants who are either Australian Citizens or permanent Australian residents in the first instance. Visa holders continue to have a right to apply, however the right to placement is secondary to local applicants (Australian Citizens or permanent residents).

Transition to Practice Program for Registered Nurse (RN) Mental Health

The Transition to Practice Program for RN Mental Health is designed to provide clear explanation of the roles and responsibilities of the mental health service, the transitioning nurse and key personnel who are pivotal to the success of the program.

Applications from state-wide Mental Health Services and DASSA’s services are
welcomed from graduate mental health nurses, or MHN nurses new to Australia.

Applications for 2012 are now open.

To access the program outline and application form below:

Program Outline (114KB)
Application Form (380KB)

Applications for the fourth annual Transition to Practice Program close 30 January 2012 .
The program is scheduled to commence in March 2012.