The ACT Government is securing the health workforce our growing city needs and taking the stress out of finding new graduate positions with permanent job offers to nursing and midwifery students to join Canberra Health Services.
Third-year nursing and midwifery university students in the ACT were offered permanent employment at Canberra Health Services, simplifying the recruitment process and easing students' workload in their final year of study.
Eligible undergraduate students from the University of Canberra and Australian Catholic University only need to complete a form to confirm their interest in joining the Canberra Health Services' new graduate program next year, with job confirmation pending successful completion of their degree, background review and Ahpra registration.
There were 407 initial employment offers made, with close to 300 students registering their interest so far. This does not include interstate interest or applications for positions via the regular graduate program advertising pathway.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said this new initiative eases the burden on students who are already busy completing their final year of study without also needing to submit detailed job applications.
"The final year of study can be very busy without adding in the stress of applying for jobs and we have heard from students and stakeholders that offering permanent positions to local students who successfully complete their degree and registration requirements is another positive step toward building a sustainable health workforce in the ACT," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"These offers includes full-time and part-time positions, and Canberra Health Services will work with eligible students to complete a few simple steps to enable the employment offer."
This initiative follows other recent ACT Government measures to support nursing and midwifery students and the broader workforce, including:
- The Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Study Incentive Program to provide financial assistance to students during their studies and placement.
- Scholarships for the maternity workforce as part of the 2024 Maternity in Focus Scholarship Scheme to support further skill development in midwifery and maternity services.
- A dedicated international recruitment campaign, which is resulting in dozens of nurses and midwives joining Canberra Health Services over the next few months.
- $86 million to recruit more than 137 new full-time equivalent nurses and midwives, supporting the Government's commitment to implement phase two of Nurse/Midwife-to-patient ratios.
- The implementation of paid undergraduate student nurse and midwife roles in a staged approach, after a successful pilot in 2023.
"Our nurses and midwives are a vital part of the health care system and initiatives such as these are crucial as we expand and support the health workforce. The ACT Government will continue to invest in our nurses and midwives to ensure we can deliver the best care to the Canberra community, now and in the future," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
Quotes attributable to ACU Canberra Campus Dean Professor Darius von Guttner:
This initiative offers our nursing students a clear path to secure employment in Canberra Health Services, providing them with a sense of security as they approach the final stages of their academic journey. Our students greatly value the opportunity to start their new professional roles in an environment that has supported their learning."
At Australian Catholic University, we are proud to support our nursing students in accessing this streamlined employment process. This collaboration ensures that our graduates are well-placed to meet the growing demands of the health sector in Canberra and beyond.
Quotes attributable to Professor Stuart Semple, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, University of Canberra:
The security of permanent employment is invaluable for our nursing and midwifery students at the University of Canberra, who have already developed strong industry connections through their hands-on practical placements in hospitals and other healthcare settings across the ACT."
This pathway to secured employment ensures that our third-year students can focus on their final year of study with the benefit of knowing that they have the option of entering the ACT's health workforce equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide holistic, person-centred care to the Canberra community.
