Nursing and Midwifery Graduate Program

The Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) nursing and midwifery post graduate program (graduate program) is twelve months in duration consisting of, potentially an offer of two (6 month) clinical rotations or a single 12 month contract across Mackay Base Hospital and the seven rural hospitals.

The graduate program may commence in January or February next year.  Second rotation occurs in July/August.

The MHHS aims to appoints graduates each year through the Queensland Health Nursing and Midwifery graduate campaign.  Positions are highly competitive with interest sought by new graduates locally, throughout Queensland and Nationally.

General entry requirements

Applicants should be familiar with the ‘Graduate nurse and midwife recruitment prospectus’ and meet the entry requirements to be considered eligible for the MHHS graduate program.  More information on the core requirements are provided in the links below:

1. Submitting your application via the Queensland Government graduate portal.
2. Demonstrating compliance with the core registration standards outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
3. Be eligible to apply for Nursing or Midwifery registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Timeframes

The following is a general timeline of a standard application and commencement into the graduate program.  Specific dates are determined each year and applicants should be guided by the Queensland Government graduate portal in the first instance.

Post Graduate Program Design

The successful candidate will have the following opportunities,

• Participate in a 12-month graduate program.
• Commence employment into the program in January/February 2023 (some areas may designate to start graduates prior to this date).
• Work in a team performing duties according to the clinical roster and across all shifts.
• Work between 64 – 76 hours a fortnight.  Confirmation of hours is discussed with the Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) at time of contract.
• Experience two clinical areas across the MHHS in accordance to assigned clinical rotations (circumstances may exist where some graduates will be asked to complete 12 months in one area).
• Develop your understanding of the rural sector by rotating through one of the rural hospitals.  The graduate program is designed for a large number of graduates to rotate through a rural facility in either their first or second rotation.
• Continue professional learning by completing the assigned assessments and Unit specific clinical skills outlined in the MHHS Graduate Transition Nursing Program 2023.
• Model professional behaviours according to the Queensland Health Code of Conduct and the MHHS values (Collaboration, Trust, Respect and Teamwork) while at work.
• Work in one of the biggest Departments in Queensland Government and one of the largest workforces in the State.

The graduate program offers graduates the opportunity to rotate through two clinical areas.  The graduate will learn new practical skills and develop their theoretical knowledge.  Throughout the program there are assigned study days to support ongoing professional development.

The program will expose the graduate to the MHHS organisation and the clinical services offered.  Developing the skills of the graduate to the clinical demands of the Mackay region will benefit the graduate to,

1. Explore the various services offered within the MHHS.
2. Continue their professional learning into their second year.
3. Be skilled to work within the MHHS which provides the graduate a greater possibility for future employment.

A direct benefit for the graduate is the experience obtained throughout each clinical placement while receiving the support of the post graduate program.  Historically the retention of graduates who complete the post graduate program within the MHHS is high with ongoing contracts both permanent and temporary.

MHHS has an innovative graduate program where graduates have the option to undertake Post Graduate nursing studies in their graduate year. CQUniversity have partnered with the MHHS to offer graduates the opportunity to enrol in the Graduate Certificate of Clinical Nursing course.

While all post graduates are encouraged to enrol it is not compulsory.  The program is facilitated through CQUniversity. This program is a wonderful opportunity to complete a Graduate Certificate at the same time you are completing your Post Graduate program.

If you are successful in being offered a position at MHHS more information will be provided.

Clinical rotations

The list below outlines the standard contract hours for each clinical area and hospital.  The expectation is for graduates to work 64 – 76 hours each fortnight (0.8 -1.0 FTE).

Note:

• Proserpine Hospital and Coronary Care Unit (CCU) offer 0.7 FTE.
• Contract hours are subject to change each year.

60% of our graduates will have rotations into our rural facilities. All applicants must recognise this is an expected process in our program.

Approved exceptional circumstances identified in interview by the applicant will be supported by management in the allocating of rotations

What we are looking for

If this is You we want You to apply

• A safe practitioner who knows their scope of practice
• Passionate about nursing / midwifery
• Patient focussed
• Keen to learn
• Interested in rural nursing
• A team player
• Flexible to move into various clinical settings
• Focussed on improving patient safety and quality health outcomes
• Professional and mature

Able to work within the QH Code of Conduct and maintain core values of Mackay HHS:

Our Graduate numbers

Over the last five years our graduate numbers have increased by 60%.