Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Programs New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 1
NSW Department of Health This work is copyright. It may be reproduced in whole or in part for study training purposes subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. It may not be reproduced for commercial usage or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those indicated above requires the written permission of the NSW Department of Health. Published May 2011 Centre for Education and Workforce Development Eastern Campus Liverpool Hospital Elizabeth Street Liverpool, NSW, 2170 or Locked Bag 7017 Liverpool BC, NSW, 1871 Email: Intranet: Internet: cewd@sswahs.nsw.gov.au intranet.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/cewd sswahs.nsw.gov.au/cewd Phone: (02) 9828 5920, (02) 9828 5790 Fax (02) 9828 5931 New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 2
Introduction Sydney and South Western Sydney Local Health Districts (SLHD and SWSLHD) are one of the highest employers of Graduate Nurses and Midwives across New South Wales each year, and are continuing to set the standard for 2012. SLHD and SWSLHD are delighted to be able to work with newly graduated nurses and midwives to facilitate and support their journey of transition to Registered Nurse/Midwife. We recognise that new graduate nurses and midwives are integral to the continuation of a skilled and valued nursing workforce, both now and in the future. It is important that each new graduate nurse/midwife has a consistent and positive experience that maximises learning opportunities, and offers appropriate levels of clinical and emotional support. Transition Nurse Support Programs offered at SLHD and SWSLHD in 2012 include: Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital Bowral Hospital Campbelltown & Camden Hospitals Canterbury Hospital Concord Hospital Fairfield Hospital Liverpool Hospital Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Click on any of the above links to find out more about our different facilities. New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 3
New Graduate Transition Nurse Support Program The Sydney and South Western Sydney Local Health Districts offer the transition nurse the opportunity to enter the dynamic profession of Nursing in a facilitated and well supported manner. Participants within the program have the opportunity to work within numerous clinical specialties. The program aims to allow the transition nurse to develop new skills and consolidate those skills they already have. Transition Nurse Support Programs in SLHD and SWSLHD are designed to: Provide a structured and coordinated approach to clinical practice development Promote workplace learning in a conducive climate Enhance collaboration and communication across the LHD s Transition Nurse Support Programs are conducted over a 12-month period and consist of: Corporate and workplace orientation Five paid educational support days Two six-monthly supportive clinical rotations Self assessment of learning needs Clinical skills and professional development record maintenance Clinical competency assessments Lifelong learning skills development Transition Nurse Support Program Facility Coordinators Facilities Coordinator Names Contact Details (Via switchboard at the relevant facility) Bankstown Sophie Najjarin 9722 8000 Bowral Lynn Fraser 4861 0200 Campbelltown Patricia Rawnsley 4634 3000 Canterbury Genevieve Catterson 9878 0000 Concord Janelle Muldoon 9767 5000 Fairfield Jose Galindo 9616 8111 Liverpool Andrew Smith 9828 3000 Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Greg Chauncey 9515 6111 New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 4
Start Dates SLHD and SWSLHD hospitals have varying start dates for the programs. In 2011 programs commenced during February, March, April and May. This is expected to occur again in 2012 with most facilities commencing programs during February and March with exact dates yet to be finalised. Some facilities also have mid year intakes however this is dependent on position availability and staffing requirements. Should you be offered a position within SLHD or SWSLHD your commencement date will be included on the letter of offer from the Facility. Orientation New Graduate Nurses and Midwives attend the relevant Local Health District Orientation days (4-5 days). As well as this, there are often Transition Nurse Support Program Orientation days and Ward/Unit orientation days. These days assist in allowing staff to understand the values of their new work environment as well as be aware of important information. Clinical Rotations Generally there are 2 clinical rotations within the programs of approximately 6 months each. Rotations are allocated by the coordinators of the programs at each facility. The preferences you supply during the application process are usually used as a guide and you then have the opportunity to liaise with the coordinator regarding the second rotation. Facilities have a number of different rotation options and availabilities. For more information you may want to contact the TNSP or New Graduate Nurse Program Coordinator at the facility you are interested in. Recruitment Process To be eligible for the 2012 Transition Nurse Support Programs, students MUST apply through the NSW Department of Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing. This is the ONLY way to apply for the Transition Nurse Support Programs for any public hospital in NSW. The Recruitment Website opens 6 June 2011 and closes 0900 hours 18 July 2011. Application criteria will be available from the middle of May 2011. New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 5
Specialty New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Programs SLHD and SWSLHD are also offering some specialty programs including: Peri-operative Nursing at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Midwifery Transition Program Drug Health Transition Program Mental Health Transition Program Transition Midwife Support Program SLHD and SWSLHD offer a one year transitional program into midwifery at Bankstown, Campbelltown, Canterbury, Fairfield, Liverpool and Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals. The program allows the newly graduated midwife to rotate through all areas of maternity to consolidate skills and knowledge. Newly graduated midwives are given 5 study days that are focused on all of the specialities of midwifery such as: Antenatal, Birthing, Postnatal, Neonatal care and professional development. These days will be facilitated throughout SLHD and SWSLHD with all newly graduated midwives attending with the support of the Midwifery Education Team. Transition Midwife Support Programs are conducted over a 12-month period and consist of: Corporate and workplace orientation Five paid educational professional development days which have a clinical midwifery focus Four supportive clinical rotations through birthing unit, postnatal, antenatal wards, antenatal clinic and optional newborn care placement Self assessment of learning needs Clinical skills and professional development record maintenance Clinical competency assessments Lifelong learning skills development New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 6
Transitional Midwife Support Programs offered at LHD sites in 2012 include: Bankstown Hospital Campbelltown & Camden Hospitals Canterbury Hospital Fairfield Hospital Liverpool Hospital Royal Prince Alfred Hospital As a new graduate you will be encouraged to expand your skills and knowledge throughout the twelve month rotation. You will be encouraged to discuss learning opportunities and experiences with the Clinical Midwifery Educators and your peers on the various wards. Some of these skills you are encouraged to achieve include: Venepuncture & Cannulation Magnesium Sulphate Infusion Infusion, Heparin Infusion Epidural Infusion / top-up Speculum Examination Use of water / bath in labour. The Centre for Education and Workforce Development (CEWD) with the guidance of midwifery educators, will support your learning and development through the education programs that are offered. All new graduate Midwives will attend FONT courses during the first twelve months. The Fetal Welfare and Obstetric Emergencies and Neonatal Resuscitation Training (FONT) will be conducted at various facilities within the LHDs. A Clinical Supervision group will also be established for graduate Midwives. Clinical Supervision is designed to support health care professionals in their work and to improve their clinical practice. The group would meet with a trained facilitator to discuss clinical issues and find best practice outcomes in a confidential environment. This will occur at monthly intervals and session is 1 hour in duration. Group Clinical Supervision is voluntary, but there have been very positive outcomes from clinical supervision sessions. Application Process: 1. For graduates from the Bachelor of Midwifery Programs, apply through the NSW Health Online Application process www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing. Recruitment on-line opens on 6 th June 2011 2. For graduates from any postgraduate diploma or masters programs, apply directly to the hospitals within the LHD s following the selection criteria posted in NSW Health Jobs website. New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 7
Transition Program into Mental Health Nursing The Sydney and South Western Sydney Local Health Districts, Transition Program into Mental Health is an applied education program comprising theoretical and clinical components designed for registered nurses new to the area of Mental Health nursing. This program aims to enable students to develop and consolidate specialist mental health nursing skills by working with individuals, families, significant others and consumers experiencing mental health concerns. Emphasising a holistic and integrated approach to care, course participants engage in therapeutic relationships to assess, intervene, and manage a variety of mental health issues and disorders across different care settings. The program provides a pathway for nurses to acquire expertise in the management of patients and clients within this defined area of specialty practice. Program Outline The Transition Program is offered as a 41-week full-time equivalent (FTE) course. It involves a combination of self-directed learning, online participation and face-to-face teaching, and is delivered over two semesters of 23 weeks & 18 weeks respectively. Registered nurses are rotated through a choice of three specialty areas of practice including: acute adult mental health adolescent mental health older persons mental health community mental health nursing drug health The course endeavours to foster informed, reflective practitioners who can demonstrate competencies in the domains of professional responsibility, interpersonal processes and the development of sound clinical judgements that are evidenced based and reflect appropriate reasoning within an ethical, legal and resource framework. Each course participant is allocated a clinical facilitator for the duration of the program and a unit-based preceptor for each rotation. Both the Clinical Facilitator and Preceptors are available to provide support and assist in consolidating the clinical knowledge and skills of the registered nurses as they transition to specialised mental health nurses. Application process To be eligible for the 2012 Transition Program into Mental Health Nursing, students MUST apply through the NSW Department of Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing and indicate your preference as Mental Health New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 8
Drug Health Transition Program The Drug Health Nursing Transition Program offers the new graduate an opportunity to develop and practice skills in a supportive environment that will facilitate transmission to the role of Registered Nurse, whilst allowing the RN to build knowledge and experience in this specialist field. The new graduate will have the ability to develop skills in a range of areas including withdrawal services, opioid treatment clinics, hospital consult and liaison, perinatal and family drug health, counselling and MERIT. Through the support of your preceptor and manager, the new graduate program can be developed to meet your learning needs whilst offering you challenges, rewards and variety in a number of clinical settings. Drug Health Nursing Transition Program is conducted over a 12-month period and consists of: Corporate and Drug Health orientations Five paid professional development days (facility based) Two six monthly clinical rotations in both Inpatient and Outpatient units Preceptorship support on each location Clinical supervision Clinical skills and professional development record maintenance Clinical competency and self assessments Lifelong learning skills development Drug Health Nursing Transition Program is offered at the following sites in 2011 including: Bankstown Drug Health Services Bankstown Hospital Campbelltown Drug Health Services Campbelltown and Camden Hospital Canterbury Drug Health Services Canterbury Hospital Concord Drug Health Services Concord Hospital Fairfield Drug Health Services Fairfield Hospital Liverpool Drug Health Services Liverpool Hospital RPA Drug Health Services - Royal Prince Alfred Hospital New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 9
As a new graduate you will be encouraged to expand your skills and knowledge throughout the twelve month rotation. You will be encouraged to discuss learning opportunities and experiences with your Clinical Nurse Educator and preceptor on the various wards. Some of the skills you are encouraged to achieve include how to: Conduct a Drug Health Assessment Identify and manage signs of withdrawal and intoxication Individualise treatment and Case plans Provide case management or primary nursing Conduct Brief Interventions and/or Motivational Interviewing The NUM and Clinical Nurse Educator at each site will work with each new graduate to determine a professional development program pertaining to each individual s needs and may include site visits at MERIT program, Adult Drug Court, Counselling, Needle Syringe Program and/or general nursing ward placement at facilities within SLHN or SWSLHN. Please note 1. Places for the specialty programs are limited so if you are interested in applying for any of these programs make sure you select them in your preferencing in the Online Application process www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing. 2. Placement within the Midwifery, Drug Health and Mental Health Transition programs may require applicants to rotate between various hospitals and facilities within SLHD and SWSLHD, i.e. applicants will not be based at any specific hospital or facility for the entirety of the Transition Program. New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 10
Interview Tips Be sure you know when and where your interview will take place Allow plenty of time to arrive and be checked in prior to interview Ensure you are aware of what paperwork you need to supply and what copies you need to bring Dress appropriately and present yourself well on the day Practice your interview techniques with friends or colleagues Consider the selection criteria and job description of the Registered Nurse New Graduate Transition Nurse and Midwife Support Program 11