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Maroondah Hospital
 Graduate Nurse Program For the Division 1 Registered Nurse

Aims of the Program

Clinical Experience
Theoretical Program
Supernumerary Time
Intake Dates
Employment
Information Sessions
Application Process
Interstate & Overseas Applications
Enquiries
Contacts

About Maroondah Hospital

Maroondah Hospital is an acute community-based public facility situated in East Ringwood. The hospital takes pride in providing the highest quality of health care to meet the needs of patients and their families

Maroondah Hospital is an expanding 390 bed fully accredited Hospital providing

  • Acute Medical
  • Acute Surgical
  • Orthopaedics
  • Oncology
  • Critical Care – (Intensive & Coronary Care)
  • Emergency – (includes short stay unit & paediatrics)
  • Peri Operative Services
  • Medical Imaging
  • Haemodialysis
  • A range of mental health services

In addition the hospital boasts a wide range of community supports based on services for both in-patient and outpatient needs.

Maroondah Hospital offers a flexible working environment and supports the professional development of nurses. The Practice Development Unit provides extensive educational opportunities from undergraduate through to postgraduate levels of education.

Maroondah Hospital is dedicated to embracing new techniques and technology such as trend care, semi automatic defibrillators and a No lift Policy and is committed to providing up to date information services. Computer access is available to all nursing staff directly in the clinical environment. Intranet support services such as:

  • Mims online
  • Trend care
  • Policy and procedures
  • Clinicians Health Channel
  • Pathology results
  • PACS – online medical imaging results/scans

are all online to support clinical decision-making.

Maroondah Hospital has completed a major redevelopment in the last 2 years. A new expanded Emergency Department is now more than twice the size of the existing Emergency Department and consists of:                 

  • 27 cubicles with state of the art equipment
  • Four dedicated paediatric beds
  • 12 bed Short Stay Unit within the department

A new 32 bed general medical ward is also completed and fully opened.

Further major redevelopment at Maroondah Hospital commenced in 2006 and includes:

  • A new expanded Medical Imaging Department to compliment our busy Emergency Department
  • A new and expanded mental health inpatient facility on track to open in 2009
  • ECASA – Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault
  • 4th Elevator

Further redevelopment planned for this & the next year is the introduction of:

  • A Haemodialysis Dialysis unit consisting of 12 chairs which in time will increase to 16 on track to open in 2008
  • Surgical ward redevelopment and upgrade to 30 beds in 2008
  • A new 30 bed ward to be opened in 2009
  • Upgraded peri-operative service

The Graduate Nurse Program
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Aims of the Gradate Nurse Program

The aims of the Graduate Nurse Program at Maroondah Hospital are to provide graduates with:

  • Guidance and support during their transition from student to the Registered Nurse Role
  • Innovative and relevant opportunities to become established and confident clinicians within a supported, friendly and stimulation environment
  • The opportunity to experience clinical placements in specialty areas, which will foster both clinical and professional development through consolidation and extension of skills.

Clinical Experience

The graduate program is a 53 week contract. Maroondah Hospital provides 4 streams that graduate nurses can elect to undertake.  All streams (except the critical care rotation) involve three, 4-month clinical rotations

The hospital recognises the importance of ongoing clinical support and facilitation and strives to provide and environment that stimulates professional and personal development of the graduate as well as helping them to establish themselves as ‘part of the team’.

In your Graduate Nurse Program you will be given the opportunity to gain experience in the following areas:

Surgical: • Orthopaedics • Plastics
  • Colorectal • General Surgery
  • Urology • Gynaecology
  • Thoracics • Breast
  • Head & Neck (minor)  
Medical: • Neurology • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology • Gastroenterology
  • Respiratory • General Medicine
  • Palliative Medicine • Oncology/Chemotherapy
  • Stroke Services • ACE Unit (Acute Care of the Elderly)


Specialty areas include:
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  • Emergency Department
  • Critical Care Unit
  • Operating Suite
  • Day Procedure Area (DPA)
  • Day Chemotherapy
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Adult Psychiatric Services

Acute Medical/Surgical Nursing Stream – No Specialty Rotation

Graduates who do not wish to undertake a specialty rotation can elect to undertake the Acute Medical/Surgical Nursing Stream. You will have 3 medical/surgical rotations which can be tailored around your areas of interest within the acute medical/surgical areas.

Emergency Department 12 month Graduate Stream

Maroondah Hospital has limited positions for graduates to undertake their entire graduate program within the emergency department. Graduates will spend their entire 12 months in the emergency department rotating through all appropriate areas                                    

  • Main Department
  • Short Stay Unit

Graduates would be given further support and educational opportunities to enable them to integrate and become part of the emergency team. Graduates who undertake this program would be looking to further specialise in emergency nursing with the view to undertaking post graduate studies in emergency nursing in the near future. Graduates who wish to apply for this stream must still apply through computer match. Graduates who were unsuccessful for the full time emergency stream could still be successful in obtaining a rotation through the emergency department within their graduate program.

Acute Specialty Stream

Graduates will undertake 2 medical/surgical rotations and can elect to have one specialty rotation from the specialty areas listed above. Graduates will need to fill out the 2009 specialty preference form which can be found as an attachment on this site. Each graduate will be asked to nominate (in order of preference) 3 specialty areas of their choice. Every effort is made to give each graduate their 1st preference but this is not always possible.

Acute Campus Medical/Surgical Stream

Graduates can elect to rotate to another Eastern Health Campus for one rotation of their graduate year. This must be negotiated through their home campus Graduate Coordinator who can check the viability of this request and organise for the appropriate rotation. Graduates can rotate to the following campuses:

  • Angliss Hospital
  • Box Hill Hospital
  • Peter James Centre
  • Wantirna Health

Graduates will be supported by the graduate coordinator and education staff during that rotation.

Specialty Preference FormBack to Top


The specialty preference form needs to be downloaded and completed. Once this has been done please return the completed form with your CV and letter of application. If you forget to attach the specialty preference form with your application we will send the form to you ask you to fill it out and return it as soon as possible. On return we can then organise an interview time.

Specialty Preference Form  (Word 54 kB)

Theoretical Program

A structured theoretical program is an important component. The theoretical program is fully supported to ensure that all Graduates are able to attend all education sessions.
 
Education is offered in various formats within the Graduate Program:

Graduate Study Day Program:

  • 5 paid study days conducted throughout the year
  • These are compulsory for all Graduates to attend
  • The program is facilitated by our team of experienced and motivated Clinical Educators across of all Eastern Health
  • Study day sessions are flexible to meet the learning needs of Graduates
  • Clinical experts from various areas within the hospital are also included as part of the program
  • A proportion of the study days will be conducted as Eastern Health Graduate Study days. These will be held off campus and will allow graduates from all eastern health campuses to attend.

Ward Based Education:

  • Graduates are encouraged to attend ward based education sessions which are conducted regularly throughout the year
  • Each ward/unit run their own education program to meet the current clinical and theoretical needs of the individual area. Graduate nurses are actively involved in this learning.
  • These sessions cover current clinical trends and practice which is relevant to that specific ward/unit

Hospital Workshops and Study Programs:

  • Graduates are strongly encouraged to attend any workshops and study programs run by the Practice Development Unit (PDU)
  • Courses that are on offer include:
- IV Cannulation - Male catheterisation
- Epidural Management - Basic ECG interpretation
- Management of PEGs - Respiratory Workshop
- Palliative Care workshop - Basic Life Support
- Advanced Life Support - PICC Line Management
- Oncology Program - Orthopaedic Study Day


  Many other programs and workshops run throughout the year.

Supernumerary Time

    • One-week orientation to the hospital. This includes:
      • hospital orientation
      • graduate program orientation
      • 3 days supernumerary in your first rotation with your preceptor
    • First day of every subsequent medical/surgical rotation
    • There is an increased length of supernumerary time in the specialty rotations
      • This is different for each specialty area
    • Increased supernumerary time for Graduates coming out of a 1st rotation specialty area, into a general medical/surgical rotation

Clinical SupportBack to Top


At Maroondah we understand that support is a key component for the graduate nurse during the program. Clinical support is an important factor in the graduate program. The hospital has dedicated staff in place to look after the new graduate nurse as they embark into their new role as the Registered Nurse.
Maroondah offers the following support:

• Dedicated Graduate Coordinator
• Medical Educator
• Surgical Educator
• Clinical Support Nurses for afternoon and weekend cover (dedicated period)
• Emergency Department - Educators and Clinical support nurses
• Critical Care Unit - Educators and Clinical Support nurses
• Operating Suite - Educator

There are also other educators within the Practice Development Unit who are also available to the graduate nurse for support.

Each ward and department also has a core group of senior staff that is very experienced in supporting new staff and understands the importance of making people feel part of the team.

Other key Components of the Graduate Program

  • 50 graduates are taken annually
  • Full time and part time positions (at 4 days a week) are available
  • Minimal Night Duty is undertaken during the program
  • Learning packages are provided as part of the theoretical program to enhance and consolidate learning
  • All full time positions are given and ADO every 4 weeks
  • Annual leave is encouraged to be taken throughout the year
       - 6 weeks for full time
       - 5 weeks for part time
  • Preceptor support on all 1st medical/surgical rotations and in all specialty rotations
  • Debrief program – this runs regularly throughout the year
  • Roster guidelines
  • Graduate nurse program and orientation folder on commencement
  • Regular performance development with appraisals in all rotations
  • Personal email account
  • Salary packaging including a meal & entertainment card available
  • Certificate on successful completion of all components of the program

Intake dates

There are two main intakes per year. Intake dates for 2009 are as follows:

- Monday 2nd February 2009

- Monday 2nd March 2009

Mid Year Intake

A mid year intake will be taken into consideration on a year-to-year basis. This can commence in either June or September.

If you are completing your degree mid year and are interested in a Graduate Program at Maroondah Hospital, please contact:

Lorelle Stevenson
Practice Development Unit
Phone: 9871 3349 or 9871 3333 pager 114
Email: lorelle.stevenson@maroondah.org.au

to discuss the Mid Year application process.

Employment Post Graduate ProgramBack to Top


Maroondah Hospital enjoys 75 - 90% retention of graduate nurses wishing to continue their employment within the hospital. There are several opportunities that graduates can pursue:

Entry into Specialty Practice (ESP)

This program is offered in the following areas

- Emergency Department
- Critical Care Unit
- Operating Suite

All these programs are designed to expand the graduates experience in these specialised areas in a supported program. These programs will be offered three times throughout the year

Post Graduate Studies:

The following Post Graduate Courses are available at Maroondah Hospital:

  • Emergency Nursing
  • Intensive Care Nursing
  • Peri Operative Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing
  • Orthopaedic Nursing

Want More Information about the Graduate Nurse Program?

Information Sessions for undergraduate students interested in undertaking the Graduate Nurse Program at Maroondah Hospital are to be held on the following dates and times:

Monday 23rd June 2008           at 7pm

Tuesday 15th July 2008           at 10am

Monday 28th July 2008           at 7pm

Current Graduates will be in attendance to answer questions as well as members of the Practice Development Unit. Tours of the hospital will also be conducted.

All information sessions will be held in the Conference Centre at Maroondah Hospital – Lower Ground Floor

If you are unable to attend any of the information sessions, tours of the hospital can be arranged. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator to discuss this option.

We will be also holding an Eastern Health combined information session. All hospitals will be at attendance to discuss al aspects of graduate program. This will be held as follows:

Date & Time:                            Thursday 17th July 2008 at 6.30pm
Venue:                                     Wantirna Health
                                                Cnr. Mountain Highway & Boronia Road Wantirna.

Application ProcessBack to Top

  • Candidates must apply through the computer match process
  • If you have selected Maroondah Hospital as one of your four (4) hospitals your written Curriculum Vitae (CV) must be sent directly to the hospital as per details in the computer match booklet
  • All applicants must download and send the Maroondah Hospital Graduate Program specialty preference Form with their application
  • All applications to Maroondah Hospital that meet the computer match criteria will be offered an interview
  • If the Maroondah Hospital Graduate program Specialty preference Form does not arrive with your application a form will be sent to you via email/post and must be returned ASAP before an interview time can be confirmed.
  • You will be notified by mail and you must then confirm your interview time.
  • This will be followed up in writing to confirm your interview appointment and with information of the venue
  • A specialty rotation preference form will also be included with this letter for you to fill out and bring along to your interview if you have not already done so.

Application process – Information required with your application

  • Through Computer Match
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Passport sized coloured photo attached to CV
  • Letter of application outlining why you wish to work at Maroondah Hospital
  • Copy of Academic Transcripts – certified copy (include legend)
  • Clinical evaluations – copies of the most recent acute medical/surgical placements (2nd & 3rd years)
  • Two professional referees – contact details must be included
  • All your relevant contact details (including email)
  • Maroondah Hospital Graduate Program Specialty Preference Form
  • Applications close Thursday 31st July 2008

Interview process

  • Single interview with panel
  • We try to provide a relaxed, friendly atmosphere
  • Interviews will be conducted in from August through September
  • Please try to be on time
  • If you are unable to attend your interview for any reason please call the PDU Secretary ASAP to reschedule for another time
  • The interview will take approximately 20-30 minutes

Change of preferences can be made once only. The closing date for a change in the order of preference is Thursday 25th September 2008 (midnight).

What are we looking for from A Graduate Nurse?Back to Top

• Enthusiasm
• A desire to learn
• Honesty
• Approachable and friendly
• Adaptable in a changing environment
• Ability to ask question
• Flexible to meet the needs of the hospital community
• Willing ness to integrate and become part of the team environment
• A safe practitioner

Enquiries

For further information on any of the information from this website or other questions pertaining to the Graduate Program please contact:

Lorelle Stevenson
Graduate Coordinator
Practice Development Unit
Phone: 9871 3349 or 9871 3333 pager 0114
Email: lorelle.stevenson@maroondah.org.au

Successful application

  • Computer matching results will be available on Monday 20th October 2008.
  • If you are successfully matched to Maroondah Hospital we will phone and confirm this with you
  • You will also receive this information in writing
  • We will mail you all the details pertaining to your employment including contract, uniform details and your commencement date
  • You will need to ensure that you have registered with the Nurses Board of Victoria prior to commencing your Graduate program

Graduates at Maroondah Hospital

Graduates at Maroondah Hospital are valued members of the nursing team. Their input and opinions are important to the Nursing Service and the wider hospital community. A graduate Nurse representative sits on the:

    • Clinical Governance Committee

All applications should be forwarded to:

Lorelle Stevenson
Graduate Coordinator
Practice Development Unit
Maroondah Hospital
P.O. Box 3135
East Ringwood, Vic 3135

Applications Close Thursday 31st July 2008
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Interstate and International (New Zealand Only) applicants

Maroondah Hospital graduate program continues to accept applicants from both interstate and New Zealand. Our graduate program offers a supportive framework for these graduates to transition not only into their new role as a Registered Nurse but also into an unfamiliar environment.

The hospital understands that this transition period may require extra support and endeavours to incorporate that as required by each individual.

Requirements for Interstate and International applicants

  • February/March Intake 2009
    - must apply through Nurse Computer Match Process at the Post
    Graduate Medical Council of Victoria (PMCV)
  • Mid Year intake - September intake
    - apply directly to the Hospital
  • Will need to have a current registration with the Nurses Board of Victoria
  • Apply for a tax File Number with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) – International Applicants only
  • Will require a bank account in Australia - International Applicants only

Important Contact Details for Interstate and International Applicants

Nurse's Board of Victoria
Address 595 Little Collins Street
Melbourne Victoria Australia 3000
    GPO Box 4932
Melbourne Victoria Australia 3001
  Phone General enquires 61 3 8635 1200
Registration 61 3 8635 1222
  Fax General enquires 61 3 8635 1248
Registration 61 3 8635 1214
  Office Hours 8.30 – 5pm Monday to Friday EST
  Email registration@nbv.org.au
 
 

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Application for a Tax File Number (TFN)

Address Australian taxation Office (ATO)
PO Box 9942
Moonee Ponds
Melbourne, Victoria Australia 3039
  Phone 61 13 28 61
  Office Hours 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday
  Website www.ato.gov.au
 
 

Post Graduate Medical Council of Victoria

To obtain a computer match booklet and relevant information regarding the Nurse computer match process

Address Post Graduate Medical Council of Victoria (PMCV)
PO Box 2900
St Vincent's Hospital
41 Victoria Parade
Fitzroy, Victoria Australia 3065
  Phone 61 3 9419 1217
  Fax 61 3 9419 1261
  Website www.pmcv.com.au

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Maroondah Hospital
Davey Drive,  Ringwood East,  3135
Phone (03) 9871 3333
Fax (03) 9879 1570

maroondah.hospital@maroondah.org.au

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