News

Albury Wodonga Health has welcomed its biggest ever intake of new graduates! 

A total of 55 new graduates - including nurses, social workers and occupational therapists - commenced in February with further intakes joining the health service in the coming months. 

Their arrival complements the recent onboarding of 27 new junior doctors. 

Graduate programs are one way Albury Wodonga Health is nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. The programs strengthen the local healthcare workforce with many graduates continuing their employment with Albury Wodonga Health beyond the initial program period.  

The latest graduates have been recruited in three streams: 

• General nursing – 42 graduates 

• Allied Health – 5 graduates 

• Mental Health – 8 graduates 

We are also welcoming post graduate students across midwifery, the emergency department, critical care, perioperative and mental health. 

Clinical Education Manager Emma Horsfield said graduates would rotate through a range of specialties. 

As part of their orientation program, all graduates: 

• Receive comprehensive orientation to familiarise themselves with AWH’s protocols, processes, team members and facilities. 

• Join a collective group of educators and experienced staff who will provide invaluable guidance and support, facilitating a smooth transition from undergraduate students to confident first-year health professionals. 

• Participate in hands-on clinical experience across various departments, gaining exposure to a diverse range of clinical scenarios and patient demographics. 

• Engage in continuous professional development and be given opportunities for further education, training, and specialisation to support their growth within Albury Wodonga Health. 

‘For all graduate health professionals, these programs offer a supportive and positive environment designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and professional practice of early-career practitioners through tailored clinical education. They also play a key role in fostering a high-quality and sustainable workforce,’ Emma said. 

Among the General graduate nurses, 80 per cent have completed their rigorous academic training locally through Charles Sturt University or LaTrobe University. Most have completed an undergraduate clinical placement with Albury Wodonga Health. 

‘Over the next 12 months, the graduate nurses will experience a variety of clinical settings including the emergency department, medical ward, surgical, intensive care, paediatrics, Special Care Nursery, District Nursing Service and more,’ Emma said.  

‘The graduate nursing program is often a gateway into further training in specialty areas such as emergency, critical care and perioperative services.’ 

The eight Mental Health graduates will rotate through acute units Kerferd and Nolan House, as well as other bed-based programs including The Willows, Benambra, and Blackwood during the first year of their two-year program. 

Psychiatric Nurse Consultant Haylee Adamson said the mental health graduates would continue their education over the next two years with a series of workshops, as well as working through the AWH Mental Health Capability Framework to develop their knowledge and skills. 

‘This year we are expanding the learning opportunities for new and experienced staff to share knowledge and expertise. The Mental Health Graduate Program provides a solid foundation to develop mental health skills and provides an opportunity to invest in our future workforce,’ Haylee said.  

The five Allied Health graduates will work across the general and mental health programs and will gain experience across acute units, infant, child and youth mental health services, community mental health teams, and other bed-based services during their program.  

Mental Health Allied Health Educator Alison Delphin said the new Allied Health graduates, including occupational therapists, social workers and physiotherapists, would help to increase access to Allied Health services within the organisation. 

‘We’re looking forward to working with the graduates as they begin their rotations and help to increase access to these vital services,’ she said. 

The five post graduate Diploma of Midwifery students will complete a residential school program before starting work in late February. 

Clinical Midwifery Educator, Zorica Hartles, said the new team members would rotate through the maternity ward, nursery and birthing suite. 

‘They will gain invaluable experience under the supervision of registered midwives,’ she said. 

‘We look forward to seeing their skills and confidence grow. 

‘The program is a wonderful opportunity to increase the midwifery workforce.’