Graduate nursing and midwifery program

Our twelve-month training and development program supports recent nursing and midwifery graduates as they transition from study to clinical practice.

The comprehensive program allows graduates to strengthen their skill as they learn on the job and alongside other experienced health professionals. 

It provides recent graduates with a unique opportunity to experience different areas of clinical practice to explore their career aspirations and develop knowledge and skills within the clinical setting. Graduates are supported throughout the program to ensure they gain confidence and competence in practice and can rely on their critical thinking and decision-making skills in dynamic clinical settings.

Our health service values career-long learning and is committed to supporting the professional development of our workforce. This twelve-month program provides the required support to empower recent graduates to deliver safe and effective care in their foundational first year of practice.

When graduates are confident, they are encouraged to apply for a permanent role with our health service and take the next step in their careers with us in north Queensland.

Graduate positions are available across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service including at Townsville University Hospital and in all our community, primary health, rural and aged care facilities.

There are graduate positions available in many areas including medical, surgical, emergency, critical care, midwifery and specialist areas like paediatrics and neonatal.

Graduate nurses will be placed in a clinical area and have the opportunity to undertake clinical rotations in a specialty area to expand and develop their knowledge and skills.

Graduate nurses and midwives are supported by a dedicated team who will be by their side as they take the first steps of their careers.

During their first week, graduates will attend a comprehensive orientation, practical sessions and get to know their fellow graduates. They will also spend time in their clinical area, meet their colleagues and tour the facility they work in.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service prides itself on helping graduates have the best start to their nursing and midwifery careers. 

Our graduates get:

• paid employment on a 12-month temporary contract
• specialised education forums
• opportunities to experience a range of disciplines and specialties
• continued career advancement opportunities on completion of program
•  support of a clinical integrator
• hospital orientation and induction
• education days and forums
• reflective practice
• preceptorship and mentoring
• supportive clinical practice and partnership

Our graduate education team is available to help graduates every step of the way.

The team consists of a nurse educator and clinical integrators who work with clinical leads in wards and units to ensure graduates are well supported personally and professionally through their clinical practice.

Each graduate is paired with a clinical partner or mentor who will guide and support them during the program.

Our educators and mentors help graduates plan their personal career journey and identify how to advance their career to reach their goals. Townsville Hospital and Health Service offers many opportunities for career progression and welcomes graduates to take the next step in their careers here in north Queensland.

Nurse educator

Townsville Hospital and Health Service has a full-time nurse educator who is responsible for the co-ordination and management of the graduate program and provides support and guidance to graduate nurses and midwives. The nurse educator is the primary point of contact for graduates and works in partnership with managers and other educators.

Clinical integrator

Clinical integrators provide clinical support to graduates, helping with early integration and delivery of safe patient care. These positions assist with time management, clinical education, patient care and guidance with policies and procedures, covering morning and afternoon shifts most days of the week.

Clinical partner/preceptor

As a graduate you will be allocated a clinical partner or preceptor throughout the graduate program. The preceptor provides you with resource and support contact to assist with orientating the graduate to their clinical area during the initial months, and during their program.

The first step in your health career, is here.

If you would like to start your nursing or midwifery career at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, you can apply to our graduate program through the Queensland Health graduate portal and select Townsville as your location preference.