Registered Nurse
Transition to Professional Practice Program

The individualised Graduate year at the Burnside Hospital (BH) is a process of enabling and empowering the Graduate Nurse to enhance upon newly gained knowledge and skills and further facilitate the development of their nursing practice.  
The Graduate Nurse is supported within an environment that encourages learning and skill development by competent practitioners, whilst focusing on an adult leaning and self direction ethos.

About Burnside
The services provided by the hospital include:

For more Hospital information please visit our website on: www.burnsidehospital.asn.au

The Program
The Transition to Professional Practice Program at Burnside Hospital consists of supported clinical practice, using a preceptor-ship model and non-clinical study days coordinated and provided by the Repatriation General Hospital (RGH) under the auspices of their Transition to Professional Practice Program.   Professional support will be available to the Graduate from people occupying the following positions:

• The Clinical Manager of the ward / unit to which the Graduate is allocated

• The ward / unit Preceptor(s) allocated to the respective Graduates

• Clinical Nurse Educators

• The RGH Nurse Consultants for the Transition to Professional Practice Program

• Nursing Staff

How long is the Program?
The Program is 52 weeks in duration, which includes 46 weeks clinical time and annual leave.   Graduates are entitled to 4-6 weeks annual leave (pro-rata depending on area), which will be allocated in consultation with the relevant Clinical Manager. Two weeks of annual leave entitlement is rostered mid-year. Graduate Nurses will be employed over a 7 day roster (which includes early, afternoon, and night shifts depending on area).

How many Graduate Nurses is Burnside taking?
The Hospital is fortunate to accommodate a small number of graduates. The total number of Graduate Nurse’s is determined by the staffing needs of the Hospital, to provide a high degree of support throughout the year.  

How many intakes?
BH has one intake per year commencing in February.   The Hospital will determine the number of Graduates commencing at each intake which will be based on the staffing needs of the hospital.

Clinical Rotations
If there are individual requests on clinical rotation, the Hospital, in consultation with the Graduate and Clinical Manager will assist wherever reasonable and practical to do so, accommodate individual preferences.

Whilst the Hospital endeavours to meet individual Graduate requests concerning clinical rotations it reserves the right to allocate Graduates to wards / units as dictated by broader operational requirements.

What supernumerary time will be provided?
The Transition to Professional Practice Program will commence with an initial two day orientation to Burnside Hospital. Graduates will be given up to a week supernumerary time in each clinical rotation. It is preferable that during the first month in each clinical rotation that the graduate ‘mirror’ their roster with their allocated preceptor(s).

Non-Clinical Study Days?
The aims of the non-clinical study days are as follows:

• “To provide the Graduates with the opportunity to debrief , share experiences and support each other in a confidential and informal environment”

• “To facilitate professional growth and the enhancement of practice through the further development of professional qualities such as problem solving and reflective practice skills”

• “To provide the Graduate with the opportunity to increase their clinical knowledge in areas relevant to the patient profile at Burnside Hospital.”

Repatriation General Hospital (RGH) Transition to Professional Practice Program December 2007
The number of paid non-clinical study days will be a total of seven with Graduates being expected to attend all seven study days.  The non-clinical study days are conducted from 9am to 4.30pm and will be held at RGH Staff Development Training Room.   A focus of these days is to facilitate Graduates de-briefing and engaging in discussion about their clinical experiences in a confidential and supportive environment.

Criteria for Successful Completion  

• Achievement of the Transition to Professional Practice Program (RGH) aims and learning outcomes

• Satisfactory completion of ward / unit based and clinical / evaluation requirements

• Attendance at all non-clinical study days

• Completing a Critical Incident Analysis using critical reflection and presenting this to the group

How do I apply?
Graduates interested in applying for the Transition to Professional Practice Program are required to forward the following:

• Completed Application Form (including Professional and Immunisation declarations) 

• Covering Letter

• Copy of current Criminal History Check (National Police Clearance)

• Resume

• Copies of academic transcripts

• Copies of signed 2nd & 3rd year Clinical Placement Evaluations

• Copy of BloodSafe E-Learning Tool Certificate of Acheivement (www.BloodSafeLearning.org.au)

These documents can be posted to:
Human Resources Officer
Burnside War Memorial Hospital
120 Kensington Road
Toorak Gardens SA 5065
Or emailed to gjelfs@burnsidehospital.asn.au

Applications close: Monday 23rd August 2010

What is the selection process?
The selection of graduates will be based upon the standard recruitment and selection processes of BH.   This will involve an application, interview, reference checks, professional declaration and pre-employment work capacity assessment and employment by the Hospital is a pre-requisite for entry into the Transition to Professional Practice Program. Successful applicants must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as a Registered Nurse before the start of the program.

Employment
Graduates who are successful in being offered a placement in the BH Registered Nurse Transition to Professional Practice Program 2011 will be offered a term employment contract as a Registered Nurse Level 1, 2nd year.  
In accordance with Hospital policy regarding the employment of all new staff, Graduates will have a probationary period of 6 months commencing from the date of their employment.   Regular feedback will be provided through the course of the year.