GRADUATE NURSE PROGRAMME

Graduate nurses experience a flexible programme in our inpatient or operating room environments. Our programme is designed to meet individual needs while consolidating knowledge and skills in a private elective surgery context. The aim of our programme is to facilitate a smooth transition for the Graduate Nurse into confident clinical practice. This is achieved through the transfer of theoretical knowledge into quality, patient focused outcomes for consumers within our organisation.  The aim of the programme is to develop:

  • A competent, confident practitioner
  • An accountable practitioner
  • A reflective practitioner

MercyAscot, following the National NETP Learning Framework, aims to provide:

  • In their first year of practice at MercyAscot, Graduate Nurses who are 'well supported, safe, skilled and confident in their clinical practice; equipped for further learning and professional development' (NETP July 2010).
  • A Graduate Programme comprised of clinical and theoretical components that together promote critical thinking skills, diagnostic reasoning, practical application of assessment skills and a peri-operative perspective

Whichever stream you choose (operating rooms or inpatient services) you will be supported by a comprehensive orientation package and skilled preceptorship from experienced nurses, clinical educators and charge nurses.

WHY MERCYASCOT?

  • MercyAscot can provide the ideal environment for the graduate nurse who is interested in developing confidence and experience in a surgical setting
  • Working in an elective facility that offers a diverse range of surgical procedures across many specialties has the advantage of providing a surgically focused learning clinical environment
  • Being a part of a small group of graduate nurses allows for a personal and well supported learning experience
  • Tailored for unparalleled support for the graduate nurse in your first year

MercyAscot employees are well supported with a wide variety of learning and development opportunities to develop excellent clinical skills and to the meet the challenges of working in an environment that responds swiftly to changing technology requirements.

MercyAscot is dedicated to providing a friendly and supportive work environment where the team combine their high level of technical skills with a caring, nurturing attitude. MercyAscot continues to bring a fresh approach to healthcare in the private sector, based on innovation and technological advances.

You will also benefit from undertaking a 30 point course towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science run by The University of Auckland. 

MERCYASCOT GRADUATE NURSE PROGRAMME ENTRY CRITERIA

  • Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Nursing degree from a New Zealand nursing programme or be graduating prior to commencement of the Graduate Nurse Programme (or be about to sit the next New Zealand Nursing Council state exam)
  • At the time of progamme commencement applicants must have graduated within the past 12 months and have NOT practiced as a Registered Nurse for longer than 6 months.

PROGRAMME DURATION

Successful candidates are employed on a permanent basis with the graduate programme comprising your first 12 months of employment.

CLINICAL PLACEMENTS

Placements will be available in Inpatient Services or Operating Rooms where you remain throughout the duration of the programme.

Inpatient Services:

  • Elective Surgical - General Surgical Ward
  • Elective Surgical - Orthopaedic Ward 
  • Operating Rooms

Support will be provided by a comprehensive orientation programme and skilled preceptorship from experienced nurses. The inpatient and operating room educators and clinical charge nurses are committed to providing an excellent standard of nursing care.

Graduates are supernumerary for the first 4-12 weeks working Monday - Friday only. Workload allocations are carefully controlled to allow for individualised development.

EDUCATION

During the first year of practice, as part of the Graduate Nurse Programme, you are required to successfully complete the assessment requirements of the programme.  MercyAscot will provide opportunities for study days and tutorials to increase your knowledge and skills throughout the programme. Other supporting education/orientation will be provided as appropriate.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RECOGNITION PROGRAMME

Graduate nurses will be required to complete a competent nursing portfolio by the completion of the Programme; to meet the requirements of the New Zealand Nursing Councils' competency based Practicing Certificate. Support will be available to help candidates achieve this requirement.

SALARY

Graduates are employed fulltime (1.0 FTE, 80 hours per fortnight) and are paid as per the MercyAscot NZNO Collective Employment Agreement New Registered Nurse Graduates salary scale.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS

When applications open, apply online by completing the application form through our careers website and upload the following:

  • Cover letter
  • CV 
  • Most recent academic transcript
  • Latest clinical placement evaluation

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview and possibly also an assessment day.

Following the interviews and assessments, reference checking will be conducted for the preferred candidates and outcomes of applications will be advised directly.

 
For further information about our Graduate Nurse programme please contact our Talent Acquisition team via [email protected] or (09) 941 4135.


Our recent graduates say...

"Access to Nurse Educators was most useful for developing my practice"

"The programme promoted my professional development as a Registered Nurse"

"Now I know I can do it even though I don't know everything yet"

"My skill and knowledge has developed excellently due to the programme and hospital staff"

"Workload allowed time for study and learning"