The Nursing/Midwifery Job Shadowing (Work Experience) Program is offered to secondary school students who 'shadow' their supervising partner and may be able to undertake minor tasks if appropriate. It is often difficult for secondary school students to undertake all aspects of work experience in a health care setting where a professional level of care is required. Hospitals and health units have a legal responsibility to ensure that the patients/clients are safe.

The Job Shadowing Program is for those students who have a genuine interest in nursing and/or midwifery. The program gives the student a unique opportunity to observe nurses and midwives at work in a clinical setting and is not suitable for those students who wish to speak to and observe medical and allied health staff.

It is anticipated that this experience will encourage the student to consider the possibility of nursing or midwifery as a career option for their future.

Nursing and midwifery requires the individual to have a great deal of knowledge, skill and ability in order to practice successfully. For some people nursing and midwifery is a highly rewarding career that offers an enormous variety of settings for employment and an extensive choice of areas for specialisation and advancement.

Such a program helps dispel myths about media stereotypes and provides insight into the traits and qualities expected of various categories of staff. It provides students with an insight into the diversity of health occupations and, regardless of the student’s ultimate career choice, it should be a positive experience, raising an awareness and knowledge of the health system and those staff working in all areas of the service.

Placements are unpaid and must not result in a reduction in the number of employees or in hours worked by employees or adversely affect normal work operations.

Eligibility of Student for Job Shadowing

Students aged 15 and over who have expressed an interest and wish to learn more about nursing or midwifery to assist in their career planning are eligible for Job Shadowing (Work Experience) Programs.

A successful Job Shadowing program:

• helps students identify career interests;
• provides students with a realistic view of a specific job and the skills it requires;
• develops students communication skills through interaction with employees; and
• helps students understand the connection between school, work and their future goals.

Student Handbook

A Student Handbook has been designed by nurses and midwives to complement the practical experience. It includes:

• Explanation of the responsibilities in undertaking a Nursing/Midwifery Job Shadowing Program;
• Confidentiality Declaration Form;
• Information about nursing/midwifery and the opportunities available in these professions;
• A selection of worksheets to help in researching nursing/midwifery and the host health unit;
• Space to compile a glossary of new terms and to keep a diary of daily activities; and
• An evaluation form, which can be filled out and returned to the host health unit

The Job Shadowing Program in nursing and midwifery is very interesting, rewarding and enjoyable.

For further information, please contact either your school career counsellor or the
Nursing and Midwifery Office on telephone (08) 8226 0749 or by e-mail.

Relevant documents available for download:
Job Shadowing Guidelines (854 KB)
Job Shadowing Student Handbook (1 MB)