Graduate Registered Nurse Program 2026

Fixed term contract - 12 months,64 to 80 hours per fortnight

Western District Health Service has an exciting opportunity for a newly graduated registered nurse to participate in the 2026 Graduate Nurse Program.

The overall aim of the Graduate Program is to provide facilitated support in the clinical environment for transferring existing knowledge into quality outcomes and developing further knowledge and skills to progress with independent learning and practice.

The 12-month program will provide an excellent foundation for future career advancement by providing participants with the opportunity to develop their clinical skills and knowledge supported by trained preceptors, Practice Development Nurses and the Graduate Nurse Program Coordinator.

 Positions available: rotations are 6 months in each area

• • Surgical Unit and Medical Unit

  • Emergency Department and an Acute Ward

  • Theatre and an Acute Ward

  • Double degree, Midwifery and Surgical Unit

  • Aged care Specialty with a focus on leadership skills – 6-month rotation in 2 of our aged care facilities

All applicants are required to register with the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria (PMCV) - Computer Matching Service and select  Western District Health Service as one of the available four preferences. 

Applications are to include a cover letter stipulating which rotation the applicant is applying for, current resume, including two clinical 

referees and three recent clinical placement reports. Please include a copy of your academic record.

Program Commencement: Tuesday 27 January 2026

Applications Open: Monday 26 May 2025

Closing Date: Sunday 6 July 2025

Interview Dates: Monday 11 August 2025 to Friday 22 August 2025

Information or queries to be directed to:

Jessica Barry

Graduate Nurse Program Coordinator 

Email: jessica.barry@wdhs.net. 

NB: Please refer to the Nursing Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), Nursing Registration Requirements, and take note of the English Language requirements. The NMBA requires all applicants for initial registration to demonstrate English Language skills to be suitable for registration.

NMBA may require you to sit and achieve a minimum score in an accepted English Language Test.

A position in the Graduate Nurse Program will not be held for an applicant if registration requirements are not met.

For more details please see the Position Description

Western District Health Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer that has a commitment to cultural safety, inclusion and empowerment of Indigenous, Torres Strait Islander, their families and communities and encourages them to apply. This organisation promotes the safety and wellbeing of children from culturally, linguistically diverse and aboriginal backgrounds and those with a disability.