Nursing programs
There are two programs for nursing at CAHS that help nurses who have recently graduated or are moving from adult to paediatric nursing find their feet in children's nursing at CAHS.
These are the Introduction to Infant, Paediatric and Adolescent Nursing program for adult to paediatric nurses and the Nursing Transition to Practice program for newly qualified nurses.
Introduction to Infant, Paediatric and Adolescent Nursing (IIPAN) program
The Introduction to Infant, Paediatric and Adolescent Nursing (IIPAN) program is a collaborative pathway of learning, underpinned by excellence in paediatric nursing practice and a strong support network of preceptorship and education.
The program is aimed at nurses new to paediatric nursing and consists of a five day education program focussing on the development of knowledge and skills related to the care of children and families in the acute paediatric setting.
Key content will include:
- paediatric development
- paediatric assessment
- common paediatric conditions
- caring for a child safely
- recognition of clinical deterioration
- escalation of care
- paediatric pharmacology and medication safety
- pain assessment and management; preparing a child for theatre
- documentation; and use of hospital equipment at PCH.
On commencement in departments, participants will be supported clinically by localised Staff Development Nurses and Educators and will be offered the opportunity to attend additional clinical skills workshops.
Nursing Transition to Practice program
CAHS Nursing Transition to Practice Programs provide a supportive learning environment to enable the newly qualified nurse to evolve their practice to the level of a confident, competent registered nurse.
Under the CAHS Nursing Transition to Practice program, we offer positions across:
- Perth Children's Hospital
- Neonatology
- Community Health
- Mental Health (CAMHS)
The graduate program has given me strong foundation for my future nursing career and my experiences have strengthened my communication skills as well as my ability to advocate for children and their families. - Edwina, Perioperative Graduate Nurse
Read the testimonials from nurses who have participated in our programs.
Program objectives
Support transition of a newly qualified nurse to the role of a Registered Nurse at CAHS by:
- Developing and consolidate their clinical, critical thinking and communication skills
- Promoting personal self-confidence to help cope with stressful situations in the workplace
- Promoting development of partnerships that support teamwork and collaborative relationships between the nurse, the organisation and consumers
- Promoting a focus on professionalism and accountability through:
- Maintaining a focus on patient safety and best practice
- Networking and collegiate support
- Familiarisation with CAHS policies and procedures.
Our program
The program offers placements in a variety of streams across acute, ambulatory and/ or community settings including medical, peri-operative, mental health and community health.
Graduate nurses will be offered specific orientations that will enhance their role development, reflective practice and clinical knowledge. This includes supernumerary time at the beginning of each new placement.
The program is structured to provide a variety of point of care learning opportunities, clinical hours, tutorials and study days aimed at developing clinical excellence within a safe and supportive environment.
Participants in the program are overseen and supported by throughout the program by the Transition to Practice Program Coordinator, Clinical Nurse Manager, Staff Development Nurse and senior staff within the clinical area.
Program details
- 12-month program
- Two intakes per year
- Two six-month rotations
Placements are in a variety of clinical area in the acute care setting including:
- medical
- surgical
- emergency
- neonatology
- mental health
- community health.
*Graduate Nurses who are successfully placed in the Community Health or Mental Health streams have the additional opportunity to undertake postgraduate studies in collaboration with Higher Education Providers. For more detailed information regarding these streams, please refer to the tabs for Community Health Stream or Mental Health Stream below.
How to apply
Recruitment for the 12 month program occurs annually through GradConnect, the WA Department of Health’s centralised graduate recruitment website.
For more information
If you have any questions relating to the CAHS Transition to Practice Program, please contact the Transition to Practice Program Coordinator.
Find out more about our Community Health and Mental Health streams:
The Transition to Practice Program - Community Health stream is a 12-month program in community health nursing.
The program is designed for graduate nurses interested in a community primary health specialisation. Community Health offers a unique opportunity for graduates to provide early identification, prevention and intervention community-based services to children, adolescents and their families. These services improve health outcomes and support the growth and development of healthy communities and school populations.
Our program
The program offers a safe and supportive environment where early career nurses will develop clinical knowledge and competence, working across a variety of practice settings, experiences and locations in school and child health services.
Participants in the program are supported through a variety of learning opportunities, skills training and study days facilitated by a dedicated Nurse Educator in partnership with staff development nurses, clinical nurse managers and preceptors within the region.
The successful applicant will enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Health Nursing with Curtin University and be encouraged and supported to complete the certificate during the 12-month program schedule. Scholarships are available from the Chief Nursing and Nursing Office to support progression through the course.
Semester 1
- NURS5048 Child Health Nursing Specialisation (25 credit points)
- NURS5049 Adolescent Health Nursing Specialisation (25 credit points)
Semester 2
- NURS5010 Child and Adolescent Nursing Practice (25 credit points)
- NURS5001 Advanced Nursing Practice in Primary Health Care (25 credit points)
Program details
- 12-month program
- Work is four days a week (between Monday to Friday), during office hours.
Placements occur in a variety of community-based settings within an allocated health region of the Perth metro area.
How to apply
Recruitment for the 12-month program occurs through GradConnect.
Applicants must be able to travel across sites and must hold a valid driver’s licence.
For more information
If you have any questions, please contact 6456 0515 or CAHS.NursingTransitiontoPracticeProgram@health.wa.gov.au
The CAHS Transition to Practice Program - Mental Health Stream offers a unique opportunity for newly registered nurses to receive professional transition support whilst developing skills and knowledge in the nursing specialty of Child and Adolescent Mental Health. The program offers a 52-week program in mental health nursing in partnership with Edith Cowan University (ECU).
Graduates will enrol into the Master of Clinical Nursing course via ECU but may exit from the course with a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Mental Health).
Benefits
- A 52 week full-time contract
- Formal study day at Edith Cowan University
- 2 x 6 month rotations across Acute, Specialised and Community CAMHS services
- Supported supernumerary days in the different rotational areas
- Dedicated Program Staff Development Nurse
- Excellent support from experienced mental health nurses and educators
- Rotational nursing roster (may include day, afternoon and nights).
Location
The Mental Health Graduate Program offers 2 x 6 months experiences across different CAMHS services, with scheduled monthly study days to assist in supporting graduates with their clinical education.
Rotations have included:
- Ward 5A, Mental Health Inpatient Unit
- Eating Disorders Program
- Gender Diversity Service
- Paediatric Consultation Liaison
- CAMHS Crisis Connect
- Touchstone
- Pathways
- Community CAMHS.
The successful applicant would enrol in the Master of Clinical Nursing Course, but may exit from the course with a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Mental Health) on completion of three 20 credit point units:
- Contemporary Issues in Mental Health (CMH5109)
- Assessment in Mental Health (CMH5110) On completion of these two units students are eligible to enrol in one elective which will complete the Graduate Certificate. Students can select from:
- Community Mental Health
- Forensic Mental Health
- Child, Adolescent and Youth Mental Health
- Drug use and addictive behaviours.
Cost per graduate
The first two units listed below will be funded by the Nursing and Midwifery Office (NMO):
- Contemporary Issues in Mental Health (CMH5109)
- Assessment, Intervention and Skills in Mental Health (CMH5110)
- The cost of the third unit will be the responsibility of the applicant
For further course information and fees for the elective unit please contact Edith Cowan University. Grants can be applied for through the NMO for support with the course.
How to apply
Recruitment for the 12 month program occurs annually through GradConnect, the WA Department of Health’s centralised graduate recruitment website.
For more information
If you have any questions, please contact 6456 0515 or CAHS.NursingTransitiontoPracticeProgram@health.wa.gov.au