Nurses transitioning into aged care

The next generation of registered nurses are being called to work with ageing Australians in community and residential aged care, by starting their aged care journey with a graduate program, set to begin in February next year.

People can now register their interest in the Graduate Nurse Program (GNP) program, developed by Aged & Community Care Victoria (ACCV) and Monash University and funded by the federal government’s Department of Health and Ageing.

ACCV’s training, events and consultancy manager, Diana Fitzgerald, tells DPS News the program is ideal for those wanting to pursue a career in aged care.

“It is a very innovative program with the purpose to grow and strengthen aged care in Australia,” Ms Fitzgerald says.

The program has already attracted a “plethora of interest” from aged care facilities that have agreed to employ the new graduate nurses, giving them an opportunity to explore a “different kind of nursing”.

The program will also offer graduates the opportunity to understand the “human face of aged care nursing”, as well as the many benefits of working with older people.

Ms Fitzgerald says the program is targeted at those who have made an “active decision” to work in the aged care industry and says the program will “open up leadership” opportunities; offering a “career pathway” into the industry.

“Graduates will be really well-equipped to provide the care that we expect aged people to have. This means workers will be confident about providing that care,” Ms Fitzgerald says.

The Aged Care Graduate Nursing Program is:

• Commonwealth-funded  – which means it is free training
• Hosted by an aged care organisation for 12 months
• Seven weeks of aged care specialist training over the year
• A credit towards a Masters in Aged Care, and
• A supported program, with on-the-job learning opportunities.

Describing the program as an “outstanding opportunity” for graduates to “kick-start” their career in a rewarding industry, ACCV’s chief executive, Gerard Mansour, believes there are many benefits to working with older people.

“The program will offer graduates the opportunity to understand the human face of aged care nursing… including the opportunity to develop long-term relationships and implement person-centred approaches to care,” he says.

The Graduate Nursing Program will commence on 20 February 2012. Recent graduate registered nurses looking for a transition into aged care are eligible to apply and are encouraged to register their interest by emailing gnp@accv.com.au.