Mental Health Graduate Nurse Program (MHGNP) 2027
Combined Graduate Nurse Program (Combined) 2027Ìý
The MHGNP aims to:
- Support the continuous development each graduate nurse through their individual experience of transition from undergraduate student to registered nurse in the area of mental health nursing on Banksia ward
- Assist graduate nurses to demonstrate competence in all domains of their hospital's position description. This will be achieved via supportive preceptorship relationship, providing opportunities for consolidation and the development of new knowledge, skills and attitudes.
- Provide a theoretical program throughout the 12 month period to consolidate their undergraduate learning.
The Combined GNP aims to:Ìý
- Provide opportunities to develop and strengthen clinical skills across adolescent medicine and mental health
- Guide and promote a holistic model of care, incorporating the physical and mental components of adolescent presentations.Ìý
- Provide a theoretical program throughout the 12 month period to consolidate their undergraduate learning.
NOTE: Recognition of prior learning, after successful completion of the MHGNP, is acknowledged by a number of universities and grants credit towards postgraduate studies in Mental Health Nursing (subject to university approval).
What does the MHGNP and Combined Programs offer?
- Ongoing support from the Banksia and Kelpie education team
- Assigned Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) for the duration of the program (Banksia)
- Access to Clinical Nurse Specialists and Clinical Nurse Consultants (Kelpie)
- Regular debriefs
- Weekly group clinical supervision (on Banksia)
- Regular in-service training
- Competency frameworks to support ongoing knowledge and skill development specific to mental health and adolescent medicine
- Opportunity to apply for Banksia post-graduate program at the end of the graduate program
- Quarterly structured study days providedÌý
- Generous study leave as per the Victorian Mental Health Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2025 - 2028
Is there a university component to the MHGNP?
The minimum tertiary education requirement for graduates on Banksia ward is to enrol in and complete a graduate diploma of mental health nursing. There are a number of universities who provide this course, including the University of Melbourne, La Trobe, ACU, and RMIT. Graduates are encouraged to choose the university which best suits their needs, and must commence their studies within their graduate year. We understand the demands of tertiary study alongside a graduate program, a new role, and maintaining a work-life balance, and therefore support a flexible and individualised approach to study.Ìý
2027 Program commencement
Late January 2027Ìý
Duration
MHGNP employment is with Banksia ward for a 12-month on a fixed term contract, employed at 0.8 FTE.
Combined employment is with Banksia ward for 6-months and Adolescent Medicine (Kelpie) for 6-months on a fixed term contract, employed at 0.8EFTÌý
Interviews
To be conducted early August 2026.Ìý
Anyone selected for interview will be notified by email.Ìý
ÌýHow can I prepare before submitting my application?
- Attend the a Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) information evening
- Read the position description fully
- Update your resume (include dates and areas of all clinical placements)
- Confirm with your referees that they are happy to provide references for you (referees must be a clinical educator or preceptor)
- Ensure you have up to date copies of academic transcripts and clinical appraisal documents (include both formative and summative)
- Learn about RCH and familiarise yourself with the organisation, including the RCH compact and its vision
- Revise professional codes of practice and professional ethical standards
- Sign up to the RCH online recruitment tool Success Factors
Application processÌý
It is your responsibility to ensure your application is complete.
A. Register via the Ìý
B. Apply online to The Royal Children's Hospital via the advertised position
What is included in the online application?
1. Application form (this is available as a part of the online application process and you do not need to attach a cover letter as this form replaces the need for a cover letter):
- This application form includes a number of questions related to the field of mental health nursing
- Contact details (include full name, address, telephone number/s and email address)
- Details of placement areas and dates
- Post secondary school education history
- Recent employment history (include responsibilities in each role)
- Volunteer experience
- Any further professional development undertaken
- Professional memberships
- No photograph is required on your resume.Ìý
3. Copies of 2 x ANSATs
- One must be from your mental health placement, and the other should be a recent placement. If at the time of application you are yet to complete a mental health placement, or are currently on your mental health placement, please contact adam.blake@rch.org.au to advise of the intended dates of your placement. You will be able to send through your completed mental health ANSAT via email once it is complete.
- If you do not have both ANSATs from a mental health placement, you must include both ANSATs from an alternative placement to ensure that your application is completeÌý
- ANSATs must include formative and summative appraisals, and all reflective comments.Ìý
4. Copy of your most recent university academic transcript (include grading key/legend).
These documents are used to assist the selection panel to shortlist applications for interview, and incomplete applications will not be shortlisted. Ìý
Key dates
Applications open - Monday 1 June at 10:00
Applications close - Wednesday 1 July at 17:00
Notification of interview - early July
Interviews - early August 2026
For more information, please contact:
Adam Blake (Psychiatric Nurse Consultant) Ìý
0403 697 757
adam.blake@rch.org.auÌý