Combined Graduate Midwife/Nurse Program
Program Aim
Western Health's Combined Graduate Midwife/Nurse Program aims to be stimulating, rewarding and a positive consolidation of practice as a professional Registered Nurse/Midwife.
We are committed to the facilitation of the continuing development of the beginning practitioner in a learning organisation. Supported by the clinical expertise of educators, clinical support midwives, colleagues within a structured program.
This program consists of study sessions which focus on clinical decision making and clinical skill and the management of women throughout the continuum of care, patient management in the clinical setting and professional practice.
Eligibility
- Must be completing an Undergraduate Double degree in Nursing and Midwifery in 2025
- Must hold a practicing certificate with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) by 2026
- Must not have undertaken any other Midwifery or Nursing Graduate Program
Program Duration
The Combined Graduate Nurse/Midwife Program is a 53 week program:
Year 1: Early career supported program rotating across the continuum of pregnancy care and a nursing Unit
Year 2: Grad + Program (Additional 12 month program)
- undertaking two theoretical postgraduate equivalent subjects and options for additional rotations
Both programs are offered at 64 hours per fortnight (0.84 FTE).
Sunshine Hospital
Rotations
- Major rotations - Birthing and Postnatal
- Shorter rotations - Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC)
- Bacchus Marsh/Joan Kirner Women's & Children's rotation - optional rotation to respective campus for three months
- Nursing Rotation - 4 month rotation to a Nursing Unit at Western Health
- Annual leave – 4 weeks pre allocated in program
- Minimum of two supernumerary shifts will be provided at the commencement of each new rotation.
Intakes
- February - 2026
- April - 2026
- July - 2026
- September - 2026
Bacchus Marsh Hospital
Bacchus Marsh Hospital provides a great opportunity to develop your skills in caring for women across the continuum. Our staff will support you on your learning journey as you strengthen your midwifery skills to deliver women centred care to women and their families. You will also develop skills to collaborate and refer within a dedicated multidisciplinary maternity team. An ideal program for those midwives who hope to work in a rural unit or in a continuity of care model in the future.
- 6 months - Integrated Maternity Unit - includes antenatal assessment, birthing, postnatal care. Opportunity for supernumerary time in antenatal clinic, domiciliary care, special care nursery.
- 3 months - Sunshine Hospital
- 3 months - Nursing (Medical Surgical Unit)
Intakes
- February – 2026
- April - 2026
Application Preference Form
Support
A team of Nursing/Midwifery Educators, Clinical Support Midwives/Nurses and ward nurse/midwives are available to guide and support in the clinical setting.
Graduate program coordinator and Line managers are available for support to all graduates.
Criteria for Completion
- Satisfactory clinical hours (minimum 64hrs/fortnight)
- Completion of Clinical Objectives each rotation
- Satisfactory AMSAT/ANSATs an Annual Performance Development Review
- Development and delivery of a project for Professional Development (in nursing rotation)
- Participation in Graduate Study Days
A certificate will be presented on successful completion of the Combined Graduate Midwife/Nurse Program
Study Days
- 2 Days orientation
- 2 Graduate Midwife skills/study days
- 2 Training days (1 additional training day at Bacchus Marsh)
- 1 Professional Development Day
- 1 Graduate Study Day
These study days aim to prepare graduates for commencing in the organisation, ensure competencies are met, practice development addressed and enhance knowledge and bridge the theory to practice gap.