Graduate program events

Transcript for First Nations Graduate Nursing and Midwifery opportunities webinar video

Stacey Butcher

You're a whole heap.

Stacey Butcher

Ohh they're coming.

Colin Frick

Welcome, everybody.

Colin Frick

We'll start the meeting the webinar on in a little while.

Colin Frick

Just waiting for a few more people to arrive.

Stacey Butcher

Ohh it's not, it's it's you.

Colin Frick

If you can mute your microphones, we have allowed for the microphone to be used through this session, which we generally don't, but we have allowed it for this session.

Colin Frick

Thanks, Nicole.

Colin Frick

We're two minutes past starts.

Colin Frick

We might get going now if you're ready.

Nicole Tukana

Sure.

Nicole Tukana

Hi everyone.

Nicole Tukana

Thanks for coming to the the webinar today.

Nicole Tukana

I first of all I would like to.

Nicole Tukana

I knowledge country, so I'll just go to the next.

Nicole Tukana

Slide.

Nicole Tukana

So my name's Nicole Tukana.

Nicole Tukana

I'm the First Nations Nursing director and will Dewar introductions a little bit later of our other two sister girls are online today, but I'd like to acknowledge the Yager and tolerable people which my workplace is situated on and I'd like to acknowledge any elders past, present and emerging.

Nicole Tukana

And yet to come, I also like to acknowledge any other First Nations brothers and sisters in the room today and also acknowledge our allies.

Nicole Tukana

Um, that walk the long Rd alongside of us today on our journeys.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry guys, I just want to let you know that we are having a bit of a delay sometimes in the network.

Nicole Tukana

It's a bit delayed today, so I just wanna make sure everybody, if it looks like it's a little bit delayed it is and we apologise for that.

Nicole Tukana

Bringing up my other screen.

Nicole Tukana

Um, so caring in the connection network.

Nicole Tukana

So I'm sorry, caring in our connection artworks, so this beautiful artwork here that you can see and you'll probably see a lot more of it.

Nicole Tukana

Um, this artwork is a grand grand artist Rachel Sara.

Nicole Tukana

And it was commissioned to design a custom artwork that reflects the vision that First Nations and nursing midwives are visible.

Nicole Tukana

We have valued and we are commensurate to need and so the artwork has got obviously some very important meaning behind it.

Nicole Tukana

And I'm just trying to get up.

Nicole Tukana

There's a bit of a story about this, so we have birthed from the same shoulders that we stand on today as we walk in two worlds, we are reminded of the strength of our culture.

Nicole Tukana

We are born into the hands of our ancestors.

Nicole Tukana

They carry our spirit for the past into the present and through the futures.

Nicole Tukana

And as we go in our journey, we listen.

Nicole Tukana

We acknowledge this is the same community that built our mothers, our fathers.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry, I'm just trying to move down in my.

Nicole Tukana

Screen our our fathers and family that also raise us from the moment our spirit reaches Earth side of the journey of navigating the world, and we rejoin our ancestors in the spirit world.

Nicole Tukana

We are supported by the nurses and midwives.

Nicole Tukana

We find comfort in the deep connections we have to our culture and the community and safety that has felt through caring for one another, our communities and country.

Nicole Tukana

We are supported.

Nicole Tukana

We are strong.

Nicole Tukana

We are surrounded by spirit as nurse and nurses and midwives.

Nicole Tukana

We embrace the responsibility we have to mob oops and those that walk among us.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry, that's just my screen, just went blank so I can't see that anymore, but this is a part of our work, so you'll see this artwork more and more.

Nicole Tukana

Um, we are trying to get some more shirts and things for our First Nations nurse and midwives within Queensland Health that's currently being organised so we can wear this artwork in the NHS so we are visible to our people that are our consumers and we are also visible to each other that, you know, we are from mob and so that we can see each other so we can knowledge each other on the hallway.

Nicole Tukana

If we don't work alongside each other, which I think is really, really important for us to have and to acknowledge and to be seen visible.

Nicole Tukana

So that's just a little bit about artwork, which is very beautiful and we're very, very appreciative that Rachel, Sara had done this for us to to have forever as a part of our artwork.

Nicole Tukana

Next slide, Colin.

Nicole Tukana

It feels so.

Nicole Tukana

Introductions.

Nicole Tukana

This is all where you meet us.

Nicole Tukana

Deadly people here today, so my name is Nicole Tukana.

Nicole Tukana

I'm the First Nations Nursing Director, office of the Chief Nurse.

Nicole Tukana

I'm actually I I will be.

Nicole Tukana

I'm in this position, but I've actually moving to another position.

Nicole Tukana

So you will see another face in this position very soon, which is currently out to recruitment, finalising that final stage.

Nicole Tukana

I'm a darag darkened young woman, which is the NSW, but we were strong family ties to be ripping nation and also brought up until final of Queensland.

Nicole Tukana

I've been a nurse for a very long time, since I was 16 and most of my nursing has been in First Nations Health, cause that's obviously that's where my passion is and I wanna see some change happen and I'll pass it over to Stacey.

Stacey Butcher

Afternoon.

Stacey Butcher

My name's stace.

Stacey Butcher

I'm a dungaree woman from NSW.

Stacey Butcher

I am a midwife and nurse.

Stacey Butcher

I've done.

Stacey Butcher

I've got a started went from school into nursing and worked in paediatrics and decided I wanted to work with MUMS and Bubs.

Stacey Butcher

I have predominantly worked in NSW but I from city metropolitan right to remote spaces around the Community Aboriginal health services.

Stacey Butcher

I've also worked at Darwin in NT and now have relocated to Queensland Um and yeah, I'm excited to be here.

Stacey Butcher

Hopefully answer any of your questions.

Stacey Butcher

I'm only new into this role.

Stacey Butcher

I've had the last couple of years in academia, which I never thought I would ever be in academic being a lecturer, and before that was all Clinical.

Stacey Butcher

He NSW, so that's me.

Nicole Tukana

Now hand over to Lila.

Lila Pigliafiori

Good afternoon, everyone.

Lila Pigliafiori

Thank you.

Lila Pigliafiori

Welcome.

Lila Pigliafiori

My name is Lila Pigliafiori, so I am based in Mount Isa and I work as a clinical nurse consultant with in alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Lila Pigliafiori

I didn't start out there in the beginning, so my background is I've spent 40 years working in social and management positions in the North West and in just recently five years ago, I decided to become a nurse, took a huge change with my career, and I've successfully graduated in 2019 when I started out, I became a mental health nurse.

Lila Pigliafiori

I moved on from there to become a nurse, educator and um then made a choice to come into alcohol, tobacco and other drugs to further explore the work that we could do there.

Lila Pigliafiori

One of my passions and Nursing is being on statewide committees where I advocate for Workforce change for nurses and midwives across the state.

Lila Pigliafiori

I enjoy because that was sort of part of what I used to do beforehand.

Lila Pigliafiori

My people are from here, so the gulf, we call it the one you gangleader gurl people.

Lila Pigliafiori

And on my father's side, we I come from Darnley Island.

Lila Pigliafiori

I've got a lot of family up in the Torres Strait.

Lila Pigliafiori

I'm really excited to be on here today to hear what is to be presented to you by Nicole and look forward to hearing from you and getting some questions.

Lila Pigliafiori

Thank you.

Nicole Tukana

Thank you, Lila.

Nicole Tukana

I'm thank you, Stace, and before I move on, I just wanted to quickly cover some of housekeeping.

Nicole Tukana

So the webinar will be recorded.

Nicole Tukana

No audio for audience and please ask questions while the Q&A panel.

Nicole Tukana

Recordings will be shared, post the webinar and attendee views allows you to move and resize the app, so that's just telling you a little bit what I need to know about that and any unanswered questions will be followed up we did at the end.

Nicole Tukana

We did wanna open up the audio.

Nicole Tukana

Actually, if we can, if the if the network lets us so we can actually, you know, yarn to individually so we know how important is mob to have a yarn and and to see people visually and have that face to face contact.

Nicole Tukana

If you're interested in that, that's perfect.

Nicole Tukana

If not, no worries, but that is something that we wanted to do, but otherwise pop all your questions into the chat. Um.

Nicole Tukana

Now, I don't think, um, Colin, anyone else is gonna be joining us from the panel?

Nicole Tukana

I just thought I'd ask.

Colin Frick

I'm just oneself and and Gary from the office of the Chief Nurse just to support the technical side, that's all.

Nicole Tukana

Perfect.

Nicole Tukana

And so do we want to introduce Colin?

Nicole Tukana

Did you wanna introduce yourself?

Colin Frick

Yes, certainly.

Colin Frick

Hello from my name's Colin Frick.

Colin Frick

I'm sorry my camera's not working for some reason.

Colin Frick

So um, that's off, but I support the registered nurse and midwife graduate programme and by way of coordinating all of the applications and the distribution between HHS.

Colin Frick

So I'll be talking a little bit about that later.

Nicole Tukana

Beautiful.

Nicole Tukana

And Anne, if you're online.

Anne Garrahy

Thanks, Nicole.

Anne Garrahy

Hello everyone.

Anne Garrahy

Nice to meet you.

Anne Garrahy

I work with Colin in the office of the Chief Nurse Officer and I'm here for our Director of Nursing, Angie, this afternoon.

Anne Garrahy

Cheers.

Anne Garrahy

Thank you.

Nicole Tukana

Lovely.

Nicole Tukana

Thank you.

Nicole Tukana

Thank you so much.

Nicole Tukana

So, um, we'll go to our next slide.

Nicole Tukana

I about what we'll be covering, but first of all I want to.

Nicole Tukana

Congratulate all of you's complaining your degree or completing your near degree.

Nicole Tukana

I'm and I think that's just fantastic that you've, you know, we've reached this stage and how exciting it is for it to be a part of this.

Nicole Tukana

So you can see here we've got the key dates, Queensland Health, registered nurse midwife graduate programme.

Nicole Tukana

So the applications must be submitted by Sunday the 16th of February 2025, and there's a link there that everybody can see that they can click on there.

Nicole Tukana

I'm and you know it will take you to the page.

Nicole Tukana

So I think that's very, very exciting.

Nicole Tukana

Um, is this for next year or this year?

Nicole Tukana

Sorry, this is for this year.

Nicole Tukana

I mean, sorry, Colin, correct me if I'm right, but this would be for the following year or the second intake?

Colin Frick

It's this is the mid year campaign.

Nicole Tukana

Yeah.

Colin Frick

So this is to fill positions that will become available between May and December this year.

Nicole Tukana

Yes.

Nicole Tukana

So we've got a mid year intake, so is everyone understanding of the mid year intake?

Nicole Tukana

If not puppet, pop it in the chat.

Nicole Tukana

Maybe I should flatten that out first.

Nicole Tukana

If anyone has any questions.

Nicole Tukana

Not ohh good.

Nicole Tukana

Yes.

Nicole Tukana

So this is the mid year intake.

Nicole Tukana

So so would you keep the link be helpful if graduating this year?

Nicole Tukana

Colin, can they utilise the same link or would they have to?

Nicole Tukana

There would be a new link coming out.

Colin Frick

We we republished the link just to make sure, but it'll be available on the main page of the graduate programme website.

Nicole Tukana

Yeah.

Nicole Tukana

Perfect, right?

Nicole Tukana

So is everyone clear about that?

Nicole Tukana

So don't utilise this link if you're going to graduate at the end of the year and you wanna then do the Graduate link, then cause it may be a new link.

Nicole Tukana

But if you're wanting to apply for a grad position mid year this year, then you definitely use this link.

Nicole Tukana

I wouldn't say that the information might change, but the way that you apply yourself through the Graduate portal, just answering that question, it could be different.

Nicole Tukana

So that's why the links you know, sometimes they expire so they wanna repost a new link.

Nicole Tukana

So I would say that I don't think anything of the criteria would change too much.

Nicole Tukana

More itself, really.

Nicole Tukana

Okay.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry, um, if we're gonna talk with application process the recruitment process and a nursing career within Queensland Health, I'm just making sure I'm not missing anyone that's putting anything on the chat.

Nicole Tukana

Ohh good.

Nicole Tukana

You wrote that, Stace.

Nicole Tukana

Perfect.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry I can't see.

Nicole Tukana

I've only got it quite a bit of a small screen, so the next.

Nicole Tukana

Slide.

Nicole Tukana

Beautiful.

Nicole Tukana

So let me just bring up my.

Nicole Tukana

Nights here.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry, my computer's taking a little longer guys is.

Nicole Tukana

There's someone in the waiting room.

Nicole Tukana

Someone let them in.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry Queensland.

Nicole Tukana

So what we could hear I have ever can see that it's a nice, beautiful Val, deadly state, Queensland and geographically vast state within the 16 hospital and HHS they're 16 hospital and health services and you probably heard people talk about that language HS.

Nicole Tukana

So there's 16 all over Queensland.

Nicole Tukana

That's Queensland Health only.

Nicole Tukana

I'm there is considerable diversity and you need to consider the type of environment and the Community that you wanting to work in.

Nicole Tukana

So Midwifery.

Nicole Tukana

Which which models of care you wanna work in many of you will have been trained in a continuity model of care.

Nicole Tukana

In Queensland, Health has three models of care so Midwifery group practise continue of midwifery care model rotational shifts across all areas and Midwifery practise and work in one specific area of Midwifery.

Nicole Tukana

So like post Natal.

Nicole Tukana

Ohh.

Nicole Tukana

Um, you know what else?

Nicole Tukana

Postnatal or you can work in clinics and things like that, Nursing specifically.

Nicole Tukana

So there's many specialty areas across the state.

Nicole Tukana

Difference between specialties offered in urban environment compared with rural and remote locations and there are various in shifts too.

Nicole Tukana

So you need to research each HS or you can even contact them directly to so if you've got questions they're more than happy to ask, you know, and feedback to you about different shifts, types and things, but most of options and the select the one that suits you the best.

Nicole Tukana

So when you thinking about that and I know that and I don't wanna, you know, make anyone move away from shift work.

Nicole Tukana

But if you're a mum and you've got a couple of children and things shift, work may not might be hard if you don't have a great support system.

Nicole Tukana

Sometimes doing clinics and things in the outpatient clinics and all those sorts of stuff are great options.

Nicole Tukana

They do sometimes start after the 630 Mark and finish at 4:00, so they might be a little bit more of school friendly hours and things.

Nicole Tukana

But when you're in a Graduate year, sometimes we don't get many choices.

Nicole Tukana

That's the only problem, but if you're really up front and things like that, mostly you'll find an option that suits you best.

Nicole Tukana

So it's always good to have a look around.

Nicole Tukana

Um, you can email the HHS directly, and I'm just bringing up my other notes here.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry, that's really taking a long time.

Nicole Tukana

You can email them directly, which is fine about any additional information, or if you've got any, you know you've got any answer questions and they can probably help you out.

Nicole Tukana

Otherwise, we're more than happy to.

Nicole Tukana

Um, you know, help you out and put you in the right direction.

Nicole Tukana

Apologies, my screen is just I'm freezing and it won't go to the next.

Colin Frick

We should be on.

Nicole Tukana

No, she'll just for a minute.

Colin Frick

It should be on application process now I think Nicole.

Colin Frick

So I'll just take them through that and the application process.

Nicole Tukana

Skype comment.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry.

Nicole Tukana

Thank you.

Colin Frick

The application process is a reasonably detailed process, but you need to make sure you're obviously in the right application form first, so the link that's available in this chat, but also in the main page of the graduate programme will take you to the application, form it.

Colin Frick

The entrance part of it looks like this.

Colin Frick

It's got this sort of branding done specifically to the gradual programme.

Colin Frick

You simply follow the apply now button.

Colin Frick

You'll get some brief information about the Program you're applying for.

Colin Frick

It's click apply this job.

Colin Frick

You'll go through then to assign in area.

Colin Frick

Now this is a Queensland smart jobs and careers sign in account.

Colin Frick

If you don't have one, then you can simply register and get one and then use the link to come back once you sign in.

Colin Frick

You'll go through to the application area itself and this is just the first page of this application.

Colin Frick

There are 4 pages in the application, approximately 180 fields of data and it depends a lot on some of the questions you are asked and how you answer them to whether you see other fields appear.

Colin Frick

For example, if you know you are here travelling here on a visa, you'll have additional fields when compared to that of an Australian citizen.

Colin Frick

Person.

Colin Frick

So it's about taking your time to get through these 180 fields.

Colin Frick

80 fields.

Colin Frick

You can save your application and then return to it, so you can always start it off.

Colin Frick

Have a look around.

Colin Frick

Get the information you need and then complete your information and submit it before the due date.

Colin Frick

One of the really important things about the application is selecting where you wanna work.

Colin Frick

This is one of the principal things that is used to guide the application to a HHS and be able to say here are the applicants that have put you as your first preference.

Colin Frick

What typically happens is that in the first instance, only the 1st preference HHS will review your application.

Colin Frick

Generally speaking, in historically about 80% of applicants end up with their first preference, HHS.

Colin Frick

If you're applying for HHS, that is very popular, and there are a few like Gold Coast Children's Health Queensland, Sunshine Coast, then their rate of first preferences is lower because they actually can't fill their first preference places well with all their first preference applications.

Colin Frick

They're simply too many of them.

Colin Frick

So that's when we use the redistribution where we look at your second preferences, third preferences and four preferences.

Colin Frick

Put simply, the more preferences you supply, the greater number of positions you could actually be considered for.

Colin Frick

But bear in mind, unless you're going for one of those high demand HSN most often, your first preference will prevail.

Colin Frick

And so if we look now at.

Colin Frick

Getting towards the end of the application and you submit it, you'll be taken back to the My applications area where you'll see your draught or your application submitted.

Colin Frick

If for some reason you want to make material changes to your application, you will need to withdraw your application and that's done by clicking on the checkbox there and withdrawing it, and then you need to go into that application, scroll to the bottom of it and delete it before the system will allow you to actually put in another application.

Colin Frick

But there are there.

Colin Frick

There is a guide on the website you have to do that, so if you do get in that position, go to the website, you'll find it down on the how to apply page.

Colin Frick

What you must upload is is your cover letter academic transcript, either on official or unofficial.

Colin Frick

That's fine, and referee report one and two two referee reports Queensland Health policy is quite strict, so the houses are bound by following that policy.

Colin Frick

If you do not have referee reports and on the templates we provide, then it's highly likely that your application will not be considered complete and may not be considered any further.

Colin Frick

So I strongly encourage you to make sure you've got the least those four documents.

Colin Frick

You do not need to upload a resume that is collected.

Colin Frick

Key parts of arrhythmia collected through the application process.

Colin Frick

You don't need to upload any vaccine, preventable disease documents.

Colin Frick

You're asked to do a self assessment and the application process and you do not upload any photo ID, so it is only the four things you need to upload and that's pretty straight forward that process.

Colin Frick

Once you've done that, you can submit your application and you'll get an email back saying thanks for your application and we'll be back in touch, probably within about a month and that gets you through the application process is relatively straight forward, but it is fairly intense by way of the number of questions that you'll need to respond to.

Colin Frick

And now we need to talk about we want to talk about short listing and interviews, and I'll hand you back to the panel.

Nicole Tukana

Thanks Colin. So,

Nicole Tukana

And when we talk about short listing, let me just bring up back.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry, my screen is really delayed.

Nicole Tukana

I apologise for this guys.

Nicole Tukana

OK.

Nicole Tukana

She she's.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry, the recruitment process for this campaign, I'm it might take a little longer due to the public holidays in April and the school holidays.

Nicole Tukana

So just keep that in mind.

Nicole Tukana

Make sure that the contact details you use will be available for months.

Nicole Tukana

OK, so do not use your student email address.

Nicole Tukana

Try and use your own private email address so that you can control and if you can try and add health.qld.gov.uk to your email so that you know all pick up and it won't go to your junk.

Nicole Tukana

I find that's a a constant thing we always do when we can't find things in referentially looking through our junk because, you know, we just realised that that email's been sitting there for about a week.

Nicole Tukana

So just something a really good tip to keep in mind.

Nicole Tukana

I'm and you can also like add your email address whilst listing any so your Gmail, Yahoo or your bigpond.

Nicole Tukana

If you're not shortlisted by your first preference HS, you would be advised and will let you know if there's any other options.

Nicole Tukana

Um, but I do wanna let you know that the lasting take we had.

Nicole Tukana

Um, we had 133 First Nations nurses and midwives come through and all of them had got a place.

Nicole Tukana

Either their first, second or third placement, which is really, really exciting, but we do know that some HS are popular than others, but I think this is one thing that I really wanna say too.

Nicole Tukana

Guys is that this is not a forever job or a grad.

Nicole Tukana

If you get a place that you're not really happy with, I think you just gotta give it a shot, because if you can, you'll actually find out that that was probably the best thing I ever did.

Nicole Tukana

Ohh it's not an it be all end or this is your first year of consolidating all your nursing skills and one um in one.

Nicole Tukana

You know, in one year and you can move on.

Nicole Tukana

So just try and keep that into mind.

Nicole Tukana

And I'm just gonna go to the next slide.

Nicole Tukana

Yep, someone's coming. So.

Nicole Tukana

Um questions and answers, so this is the time where we can have a yarn about any questions.

Nicole Tukana

Ask myself, or Stace or Lilah about anything that you wanna ask about.

Nicole Tukana

Don't be shame.

Nicole Tukana

Put your camera on or you don't have to put your camera on or your audio and have a yarn to us.

Nicole Tukana

Anything that you wanna ask?

Nicole Tukana

No question is a silly question.

Nicole Tukana

This is a safe space that we all want to make sure that if anyone's got any questions I did see Ohh did you see that?

Nicole Tukana

Did you reply to that up there about the grad programmes?

Nicole Tukana

If we don't get one, I seen there dead.

Lila Pigliafiori

Yes, I did, Nicole.

Nicole Tukana

Perfect.

Nicole Tukana

Thank you.

Nicole Tukana

Thanks for joining that.

Nicole Tukana

It's kinda hard when you trying to drive and read that on the side.

Nicole Tukana

Is anyone got any other questions that you wanna ask us guys?

Stacey Butcher

He might have to put your hands up for us to unclick their micks.

Nicole Tukana

Yes, something might be able to see cause there's a few.

Stacey Butcher

Yeah.

Nicole Tukana

Brooke.

Brooke Kapadia

And now hello.

Brooke Kapadia

Sorry, can you guys hear me?

Nicole Tukana

Yeah, yeah, fine.

Brooke Kapadia

Perfect.

Brooke Kapadia

I'm I just had a quick question.

Brooke Kapadia

I'm graduating in June, July.

Brooke Kapadia

Ohh well July and I have.

Brooke Kapadia

I'm just about to start my last placement, so I haven't got my like they suggest to use your like your last placement as your references, so I haven't got them to actually like put in to apply for this intake.

Brooke Kapadia

What happen?

Brooke Kapadia

Come along I okay.

Nicole Tukana

Right.

Nicole Tukana

Sorry, Colin, could you just let me, can you answer this question about that, Colin?

Brooke Kapadia

Ohh.

Colin Frick

Yes, certainly talking about you haven't got recent references to put into the application.

Brooke Kapadia

This.

Colin Frick

That's the point.

Brooke Kapadia

Yeah, like the last I I have references from my last two placements that I did, but not from my like the end placement if that makes sense.

Colin Frick

Yeah.

Colin Frick

Yeah, I.

Brooke Kapadia

No, I know the dog.

Colin Frick

If you're gonna put in a in an application, then you can use the two you've got from your previous placements, right?

Colin Frick

So you've got them in there.

Brooke Kapadia

Yes. Yeah.

Colin Frick

You can then then subsequently supply others after your application's been put in okay, and also if you are graduating into that July period, you've got to make a decision of whether you apply in this round or actually wait until the next round because you're on that cusp, and by the time you get your opera registration, etcetera, that's probably gonna put you into late July, even September, and so some of those positions that would be available, they would have already expected you to start and you wouldn't be able to start.

Brooke Kapadia

Ohh, what?

Brooke Kapadia

How many weeks?

Brooke Kapadia

Ohh.

Brooke Kapadia

Better OK.

Brooke Kapadia

Book what?

Brooke Kapadia

And goodbye.

Brooke Kapadia

It's ohh.

Brooke Kapadia

Ohh no.

Brooke Kapadia

Oh oh, he had.

Brooke Kapadia

Big are you?

Colin Frick

So you've just got to think about that as well.

Brooke Kapadia

Okay would it be more ideally for me to wait for the December application or like the New Year application?

Brooke Kapadia

Um yeah, the new year.

Colin Frick

It.

Brooke Kapadia

Weather.

Brooke Kapadia

OK.

Colin Frick

We more suitable and because you just don't know whether you're really gonna get, you know, fully qualified and get your April status before somebody says, look, we'd like to come and get you a job.

Brooke Kapadia

Morning.

Brooke Kapadia

You have your phone.

Colin Frick

And certainly for First Nations applicants, as Nicola said, we really try to make sure everybody gets a job and we work pretty hard at that.

Brooke Kapadia

You're back.

Brooke Kapadia

Wait.

Colin Frick

So you wanna be in a position where you can be employed when we come to you for that?

Brooke Kapadia

OK, alright, perfect.

Brooke Kapadia

Thank you so much.

Brooke Kapadia

I appreciate your time.

Brooke Kapadia

Ohh.

Nicole Tukana

Thanks, Brooke.

Nicole Tukana

I think we've got Maddie.

Nicole Tukana

Maddie's got a question.

Maddy

Acura.

Maddy

Hello I'm calling from New Zealand.

Maddy

How are you guys doing today?

Nicole Tukana

Good.

Nicole Tukana

Thank you.

Maddy

Good.

Lila Pigliafiori

Good thing too.

Maddy

I'm sorry.

Maddy

Just a couple questions.

Maddy

I'm, I know.

Maddy

Obviously, playing from New Zealand makes it a little bit more unique of an application, but I keep seeing a USI pop up throughout and I'm not too sure what that is or if I have one.

Colin Frick

You happy?

Colin Frick

I don't answer that, Nicole, and that's a that's a unique student identifier.

Nicole Tukana

Yes, it's Colin know better than you could ever.

Colin Frick

That's provided to Australian students and it's a mandatory thing in Australia if you're from New Zealand, which you are and you don't have one, you can Simply put in NA.

Maddy

Awesome, Cole.

Maddy

Thank you.

Maddy

And then, sorry, just to second question with getting my licence in Australia, is that something I should be starting now or waiting until this application process continues?

Colin Frick

You should stop that process now.

Maddy

Awesome.

Maddy

Cool.

Maddy

Thank you so much, Colin.

Nicole Tukana

Right.

Nicole Tukana

Have we got anymore hands up that we can see?

Stacey Butcher

There's one in the chat, Nicole are around.

Nicole Tukana

Ohh yeah, during if I December.

Nicole Tukana

Just wondering, I graduated in December 2022 and have already started working part time as an RN in aged care for 10 months already.

Nicole Tukana

I'm still eligible to apply for a graduate programme.

Nicole Tukana

This is a very interesting question because we know that there is sometimes there is a shortage and if you don't get a grad programme, people are encouraged to work in aged care and at no means aged care is a very hard labour as job and it's still a very important job.

Nicole Tukana

Um.

Nicole Tukana

But I do hear the difficulties of people trying to then get back into the hospital sector.

Nicole Tukana

Colin, did you wanna answer a little bit about that?

Nicole Tukana

Cause obviously from a Nursing perspective, we know what that looks like, but in the ways of meeting the criteria for as a new grad.

Colin Frick

And I don't think you would make that criteria as a new grad only because if you graduated in December 22, that puts you just before that period.

Colin Frick

But if you're a First Nation's applicant, I would still put in an application and put your dates in there and just include your experience in the colour letter because your experience is still within what's allowed.

Colin Frick

Because we do allow now for one year full time in Community and aged care areas.

Nicole Tukana

Does that answer your question?

Nicole Tukana

I hope so, if not.

Nicole Tukana

Crystal, we've got Crystal Davies you'd like to have.

Nicole Tukana

You got a question?

Krysta Davis

Ohh boy I'm I just had a question in regards to the application process, so I'm currently doing a cadet ship as well as got like a few different roles already in healthcare.

Krysta Davis

I'm in my final year so I won't be graduating applying for this programme until next year, but I just wanted to know in the application, will I be able to import a lot of the other stuff that I'm doing as well?

Nicole Tukana

I dare say that would reflect in your resume of all the other jobs.

Colin Frick

That.

Krysta Davis

Yeah.

Colin Frick

Yes.

Nicole Tukana

Who's being cadet?

Nicole Tukana

Is is deadly and that's well, if anyone knows of anyone that's studying or has is going to study, they can go through a cadet ship.

Nicole Tukana

Please do so because it's really really supportive and why you're studying.

Nicole Tukana

However, sorry, Colin, you wanted to answer that a bit.

Nicole Tukana

I'll let you.

Colin Frick

There's a couple of things there.

Colin Frick

You can specifically identify the gither chip.

Colin Frick

If it's a Queensland Health git chip, but within the Employment sections and your education sections, you can add additional positions in there up to four employment positions.

Colin Frick

But then you can also add in free text up to about 500 words where you can really put in a solid summary.

Colin Frick

But what you've been doing?

Krysta Davis

Ohh okay cool cause I I have cause my resume.

Krysta Davis

It has all my information.

Krysta Davis

By who are saying it?

Krysta Davis

We don't use resumes.

Krysta Davis

I was just worried that I wouldn't be able to import some kind of like.

Krysta Davis

What?

Krysta Davis

What experience and what things have been doing over the course of my degree anyways, so that that's handy.

Krysta Davis

The other thing also is in regards to specialty wards and that kind of thing.

Krysta Davis

How do I?

Krysta Davis

Does it change the application process?

Krysta Davis

Is there anything or else that's involved in that?

Krysta Davis

Like, what does that look like for specialties?

Krysta Davis

So say I see UED, things like that, palliative oncology, so.

Nicole Tukana

Colin, did you want me to or you happy to talk, Allen?

Colin Frick

Yeah, I can talk to that.

Colin Frick

But I think also you might be able to fill in some blanks.

Nicole Tukana

Ohh.

Colin Frick

It will depend a lot on the NHS and availability at that point in time.

Colin Frick

It's really early for HS or half NWHHS to project, particularly which specialties graduates will be going into six months in advance and certainly the larger the HHS, typically the greater number of specialties that are on offer and the smaller the HHS when you get out to a rural environments, will there be less specialties.

Colin Frick

But you'll be working in a remote or rural and remote environment, so the scope of your Nursing is different too.

Krysta Davis

In.

Colin Frick

So it's hard to say up front, but you can list your specialties that you would prefer to work in.

Krysta Davis

Yeah.

Colin Frick

And then the HHS will try to work with you to get that to happen.

Krysta Davis

Okay, I'm in the other question.

Krysta Davis

I then also had was.

Krysta Davis

Oh oh.

Krysta Davis

How many preferences can I put on my application?

Krysta Davis

So I I obviously like at the top of my list.

Krysta Davis

I definitely want like the subacute or acute area, but I'm also pretty much fine to work absolutely anywhere.

Krysta Davis

Can I put it, let's say 15 preferences as an effective?

Colin Frick

OK, you can what you can do is you can list up to six preferences of the 23.

Krysta Davis

Okay then.

Colin Frick

I think that are there, but there is also a free text box where you can list, you know in in a brief sentence what your ideal situation would be.

Krysta Davis

It's available on the website to see all 23 areas.

Colin Frick

Yes, as you it's a drop down box and you select them as you go and you can't select one twice.

Krysta Davis

OK, cool.

Krysta Davis

Would you be able to post that link?

Krysta Davis

Cause I would be able to apply but just be able to know what the specialties are so I could at least ask the university to give me as many of them.

Colin Frick

Yes.

Krysta Davis

So I've got a good understanding of all the different areas.

Colin Frick

Yes, certainly.

Nicole Tukana

I'm Krista.

Nicole Tukana

I think that was some really good questions and I just wanna add in there quickly as that.

Nicole Tukana

Um, you know when we talk about specialties and going to big hospitals and it was good that Colin said that the bigger the hospital, the specialty, but don't shy away of going out to rural remote.

Nicole Tukana

I'm a rural remote nurse.

Nicole Tukana

Worked really up in Cairns all around Cairns and that in itself is got the best skills and the scope that you'll ever work.

Nicole Tukana

And I know Sister Lila works out amount izone.

Nicole Tukana

She's definitely, you know, come across where there's not many people and you're about it.

Nicole Tukana

And the skill set that you grow.

Nicole Tukana

And I know that Stacey can even say that, too, cause Stacy's been out and around that.

Nicole Tukana

You know, you really build those those skills and knowledge because there is no one else and you really want how to take on that leadership space and you get exposed and you see so many, so many amazing and interesting things when you're out there and you're real, build a real connection with the community because they're small.

Krysta Davis

Yeah.

Nicole Tukana

They're smaller, you know?

Nicole Tukana

So you really get a sense of belonging in the community and contributing and working.

Nicole Tukana

So if anyone's on here and it I wanna be scared or worried or whatever, I just say if you can, if you got the opportunity and you've got good family support and all those things, try and do it because it is an opportunity that you'll never regret.

Nicole Tukana

And I, Lila.

Nicole Tukana

And I'm sorry.

Nicole Tukana

Lila and Stacey?

Nicole Tukana

I don't if you wanna jump on the back end of that, but it's very, very.

Nicole Tukana

It's such a great space.

Stacey Butcher

Yeah, I will.

Stacey Butcher

I just think it's.

Stacey Butcher

I feel that all nurses and midwives should have some type of experience of being in that rural remote space.

Stacey Butcher

It gives you a really good understanding of, OK, you're not gonna be there forever, and you may come back into the more eastern side or whatever of Australia, but it gives you an aspect of what your me, midwife, women and their families are going through.

Stacey Butcher

And instead of being just in a Metropolitan Hospital, 9 okay.

Stacey Butcher

Well, isn't this woman doing what we want her to do and all that?

Stacey Butcher

And this having to think about, OK, what's happening in her life and having an understanding cause you've been out there and been working with the women and the families and the communities.

Stacey Butcher

I really feel that everyone should have some part in some time during their career in those spaces cause you learn like Nicole was saying.

Stacey Butcher

You learn so much cause you may you may only be the only nurse in that space or and I feel that the nurses that are in there, they support you a lot better or my experience is that they kind of Foster and like they wrap you around and look after you cuz they want you to grow.

Stacey Butcher

So, um, yeah.

Stacey Butcher

If you do ever have a chance, get out.

Stacey Butcher

Get a rural remote, even if it's a eight week contract, six month contract.

Stacey Butcher

Get out there and experience it.

Stacey Butcher

You may not do it in your postgraduate.

Stacey Butcher

I know we're talking about post grad, but if you ever get the opportunity to do it, that's me.

Lila Pigliafiori

And I'd like to just add Nicole for you.

Lila Pigliafiori

Christa, is that first of all, it's really encouraging to hear that you want to sort of go broad and working in rural and remote really does.

Lila Pigliafiori

It's not.

Lila Pigliafiori

It's not only the benefits of Nursing, but what you will bring to the people who live out here is.

Lila Pigliafiori

Yeah, just your personal self and your professional self, they will truly value the work that you can bring.

Lila Pigliafiori

And what you wanna do for them, you'll get to live and experience the complexities of their life and what it means for them to be able to try and access healthcare services.

Lila Pigliafiori

And that's something that you'll take away with you.

Lila Pigliafiori

They will teach you what it's like to live remote or rural and not have the services that they get in Metro.

Lila Pigliafiori

And how did they cope and deal with that?

Lila Pigliafiori

Everyday you'll ride that journey with them, and that's what we'll grow you and develop you as a nurse.

Lila Pigliafiori

You'll go back.

Lila Pigliafiori

You'll leave the rural and remote region and go back to Metro and work, and you'll have a different set of eyes because you've actually been there.

Lila Pigliafiori

Done it and it lived.

Lila Pigliafiori

What the people are living so you can't you can't buy that or learn that through a video.

Lila Pigliafiori

But when you live it and work it, that's the value of working rural and my.

Krysta Davis

I had a couple of more questions, son.

Krysta Davis

I'm so I'm not actually, so unfortunately I will not be able to go into rural Nevada.

Nicole Tukana

You go for it.

Krysta Davis

Got a toddler and planning on having another kid so it would be a little bit too complex to to get the entire family moving toward real area, but I am actually looking so I'll be doing my kind of my law placement out of them to purpose health service.

Krysta Davis

But I was also looking and I've been working with the Placement office because I have a lot of family amount either.

Krysta Davis

So I was wondering, since you're from mount as I'm currently working in area, can I the biggest question they've had is that they don't have a contact person.

Krysta Davis

But could I pass on your details so I could actually get a placement there?

Krysta Davis

I'm looking at full contacts.

Krysta Davis

I'm looking at doing my eight week placement in Mount Isa and Ohh all my four week placement there, so that's the plan.

Lila Pigliafiori

Sorry I'm a bit I'm I'm missed there.

Nicole Tukana

Yeah.

Lila Pigliafiori

Was that a question for me?

Lila Pigliafiori

Nicole.

Lila Pigliafiori

Ohh Kristen, it absolutely reach out.

Nicole Tukana

Yeah, I think it was Lala.

Nicole Tukana

Yeah, was yes.

Lila Pigliafiori

I'm happy to help.

Lila Pigliafiori

I worked with our professional practise support unit as a nurse educator helping with all of the graduates that come into the region, so I'm happy to help you just reach out Noel.

Lila Pigliafiori

I'll be there.

Krysta Davis

Awesome.

Krysta Davis

Thank you.

Nicole Tukana

Perfect.

Nicole Tukana

So we've got some information just conscious of time we could yarn all day.

Nicole Tukana

We all know what we're like and we all get together.

Nicole Tukana

We all get excited and we wanna have a yarn and which is beautiful.

Nicole Tukana

We love lots of questions just up here on the page.

Nicole Tukana

I've got some the programmes website and the email Graduate Enquiries.

Nicole Tukana

I'm and also I can see Collins popped in the chat there if you're needing some more support, which is the same email address that's on the page, so please do not hesitate to reach out or you know if you've got any worries or concerns or just little questions and things like that, more than happy to help.

Nicole Tukana

That's what we're here for.

Nicole Tukana

To support you all, and we just really, really hope that you choose coming to work with us because at the moment just so everyone knows we've got about 1167 First Nations nurses and midwives in Queensland Health and that number is growing and the only way that it's growing is because of our graduates that are coming through and wanting to come along and do their journey with us.

Nicole Tukana

So please come in and apply to work with us.

Nicole Tukana

You won't regret it.

Nicole Tukana

Okay great, I think that's all.

Nicole Tukana

Thanks for everyone coming.

Nicole Tukana

Thank you for Sister Lila and sister Stacey to come along today.

Nicole Tukana

And I'm sorry that it was a little bit clunky with the with the Internet and everything, but we hope that everybody has learned something today.

Nicole Tukana

And as we said, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Nicole Tukana

Thanks guys.

End of transcript

Transcript for Graduate midwifery opportunities webinar video

Jyai Allen

Good afternoon and thank you for joining today's webinar. My name is Jay Allen, and I'd like to start the meeting by acknowledging the traditional people of the lands on which I'm coming from. So I am in Meeanjin, Brisbane in the office of the Chief Midwife, and I recognise the traditional custodians of this land, which are the Jagger and terrible peoples. I pay my respects to elders.

Jyai Allen

Past, present, and emerging and extend those respects to the elders of the lands on which you are gathering with us from today.

Jyai Allen

And to all First Nations people with us here.

Jyai Allen

So we might move on to introductions. So my name is Jai Allen. I am currently the acting Assistant Director of Midwifery for Queensland Health. A little bit about my background, so I am a direct entry midwife. I actually went to New Zealand to study Bachelor of Midwifery Way back in 2000 before it was available to study in Australia. And that was a wonderful way for me to work in continuity models of midwifery care.

Jyai Allen

And then came back and did my new graduate year within a midwifery group practise.

Jyai Allen

In Sydney, before I went and did some rural work in Mareba, I found North Queensland, which was a fantastic experience and then most of my experience was at the Munna Mothers Hospital where I worked in a young women's midwifery group practise for a number of years and then was a clinical educator working in antenatal clinic and post Natal care, providing support to new grads and midwives doing refresher programmes and consolidating their practise.

Jyai Allen

After that I got interested in research and.

Jyai Allen

So I then went into lecturing and doing quite significant research in midwifery over the last 10 years, which has been exciting. I love how research can actually improve midwifery practise and midwifery care for mothers and babies. And I'm just recently over the last six months moving into this policy space. So as you can see, midwifery is a very exciting career. There's lots of different facets of care.

Jyai Allen

And that's what we're here to talk to you about today. So I'd like to introduce you to Peter's up.

Peta Zupp

Hi, thanks for joining us today. My name is Peter Zupp. I'm a full time mum of three big humans and I've had the pleasure of working for Queen's Own Health for the past 30 years. I started as a post grad, registered nurse and worked my way into midwifery. After five years of nursing, I did a master's in midwifery. I was born out in Central QLD, but I've spent most of my career on the Darling Downs working in the core midwifery. I've worked in MGP. I've been the single midwife on shift in little rural facilities.

Peta Zupp

So I'm lucky enough at the moment to be working in an assistant Director of midwifery position and the Office of the Chief Nurse and midwife, not nurse. Just midwife, officer of the chief midwife. And I'm looking forward to returning to my substantive eventually, which is, as a midwifery educator, rural for the Darling Downs Hospital and health service. So looking forward to chatting with you and answering your questions today.

Peta Zupp

Over to our other participants today, other speakers.

Mereen Chandy

Hi my name is Mereen. I am currently working as a midwifery educator at Logan Hospital.

So my career had been over many different countries, I did my dual degree and nursing and midwifery in 1992. I finished that in 96 and did some work back in India and then I did my masters in 1998 in midwifery.

Mereen Chandy

And I finished that in 2000 and then I worked in a hospital in a tertiary hospital, both in nursing and midwifery field over there in India. And then I went to Ireland in Dublin. I worked in a tertiary maternity hospital over there.

Mereen Chandy

And there I used to work as RM and CM worked as an antenatal post, Natal birth suite and outpatients areas. So all over the maternity areas.

Mereen Chandy

And I came to Australia in 2012 and worked at the Madam Others Hospital for 10 years or more.

Mereen Chandy

And there I worked as a clinical midwife and a clinical facilitator. Then I went into a middle for educator role and inter professional education manager, which who managed. I managed the educators across Queensland, Townsville, Rocky, Mackay and Bundaberg.

Mereen Chandy

And then I came to Logan with the last two. Two years I've been in Logan and working as a bit of free first educator.

Mereen Chandy

Covering the word suite and midwifery group practise and also the graduate midwifery programme. So that is my role and so it's been almost 29 years of working as a midwife.

Mereen Chandy

And I'm very happy to talk to you guys.

Jyai Allen

Thanks, Maureen.

Jyai Allen

So just some housekeeping here. First of all, congratulations on completing your degree or being very close to completing a degree that is a big deal and a huge achievement and I hope you have celebrated that well. So here is your your next steps so this webinar is being recorded so that it's available to people that are unable to attend.

Jyai Allen

Your mics are muted, so if you have any questions, please post them into the chat.

Jyai Allen

And we can answer them during the session. Just be aware that anything that you post into the chat.

Jyai Allen

Is sorry it's it's visible. I would be the same by others, yes. So just just be mindful of that and not posting any personal information into the chat and the the purpose of this webinar is to help you launch your midwifery career in Queensland health. We really want you to come and work with us. And so this seminar is about supporting you through the application process.

Peta Zupp

Able to be seen by everybody. Everyone can see it, yes.

Jyai Allen

Talking to you a bit about why Queensland Health for Midwifery, why this is an exciting place to get your your career started and it's this opportunity for you to ask questions.

Jyai Allen

So.

Jyai Allen

Sorry, key dates you've got there.

Jyai Allen

So as you may be aware, the portal is already open. It opened on the 20th of January and it will close in about two weeks time on Sunday the 16th of February at 11:59 PM that is Brisbane time. So please make sure that you complete and submit your application before this time.

Jyai Allen

Choosing a career as a midwife in Queensland health can be life changing both for you, but also for the women and the families that you care for. And I think that's why we.

Jyai Allen

In the profession, call it the best job in the world.

Jyai Allen

So for those of you that are, I know we have people dialling in from across the across the country, so not all of you are from Queensland, so to let you know Queensland is vast, geographically vast. We have 16 different hospital and health services that provide maternity care to women and there's considerable diversity.

Jyai Allen

In those health services and things that you need to consider about where you want to work the top environment you want to work in models of care.

Jyai Allen

Communities you'd like to work with.

Jyai Allen

Queensland Health has we are leading the country in terms of midwifery, continuity of carer models. So as you may be aware nationally about 14% of women can get access to midwifery continuity care.

Jyai Allen

In Queensland, that's it's closer to 30%. So we are leading the way.

Jyai Allen

In those models of care, we're also leading the way in terms of we have the first chief midwife in the country.

Jyai Allen

And that's part of the the the future of midwifery, which is that the leadership of midwifery needs to be, they come from mid midwives and be led by midwives. So that's happening in Queensland health at the highest level and you'll see in some health services they are appointing directors of midwifery for a specific portfolio to acknowledge that nursing and midwifery are separate disciplines.

Jyai Allen

So that's an exciting space to be in. We have the most number of endorsed midwives in the country and we are working at A at a statewide level to make sure that endorsed midwives are able to prescribe and routine diagnostic tests and so forth.

Jyai Allen

Whether they are practising privately or whether they are employed in a in a public health service, so I think it's a great place to work. There are variations in across the health services in.

Jyai Allen

And how they run their new graduate programmes, how they run their rostering systems, there's some health services, might run a 12 hour roster and you do 3 days, three days a week. Others might do an 8, an 8 hour shift, so you need to, if you have specific questions about how the health services run their programmes, then please e-mail them directly for advice and specific answers.

Jyai Allen

So I'm I'm trying to talk without reading, but I want to make sure that I'm covering all the points so.

Jyai Allen

Which is excuse me if I look up the Queensland Health nurse and midwife graduate programme supports you to transition from academic study into clinical practise and your work in a supportive and inclusive environment. We want you to succeed. We want you to stay in midwifery. We want you to love it and that's why we want to provide you a programme that provides exactly what you need to feel safe and confident and comfortable as you're transitioning.

Jyai Allen

As a new graduate.

Jyai Allen

So we offer many different settings to work in. So as you can see on the map there, SE Queensland itself has a number of different hospitals and health services that are that are more metropolitan. But there's also rural, regional and remote opportunities for you to go and work in either as a new grad or down the track. So it's important when you apply that you select a workplace.

Jyai Allen

That you select workplace preferences and while we will try and match you.

Jyai Allen

With your preferences, it's not always possible, so it's recommended that you provide in a kind of priority order as many preferences as you can.

Jyai Allen

So from day one in Queensland Health we will support you every step of the way to help you succeed in your career. And as I guess, I kind of opened with the midwifery career, it's there's many different pathways. It is not boring. It's never boring.

Jyai Allen

In clinical practise, but also in terms of the scope of what you can do as you grow through your career. So whether that's clinical, education, management, leadership and research and I'll add policy to that. There's so much potential in to be free. We're dedicated to supporting you through your journey and we want to ensure your success in whatever pathway you choose. So upon completing your graduate programme.

Jyai Allen

You can apply to work in various Queensland health facilities and some of these may have a practise.

Jyai Allen

Consolidation programme to further your experience, I might just throw to Peter and Marine if you have any anything further to add at this stage.

Peta Zupp

I can just make a comment that once you're with Queensland health, like I've said, especially if you're going to the smaller rural regional remote areas, we don't just want you for your graduate, we want you to come and raise a family and build a life in those in those communities. So it's we want you to think beyond your grand year and think about staying with us and growing with us. So it's working where you want to be close to the life you want to lead.

Peta Zupp

Noting nothing's forever, just we don't just want you for a graduate.

Peta Zupp

We really want you to thrive and stay.

Jyai Allen

Thanks Peter.

Jyai Allen

Might keep moving, Colin. Thank you.

Colin Frick

Thank you and welcome everybody. My name is Colin Frick and I coordinate the application process. I'm just here to present a few slides on that just to help understand the process.

Colin Frick

First thing is to make sure you're in the right portal. It's quite a distinct portal. The access is through the main website for the registered Nurse and Midwifery graduate programme, and the branding looks like this. You'll come through to a learning page, specifically mark for the programme. There'll be a second page with some of the information about the actual job requisition that's been raised.

Colin Frick

But then you move into a login screen. The login screen is for a Queensland smart jobs and careers account, so if you have one you can use that. And if you don't have one then you can register and get one. But once you actually login you'll come through to the application form. Now the application form and this is just the first start of the application form. It's 4 pages there are, you know up to 180 data fields to complete and that really depends on the applicant.

Colin Frick

Example, if you are an overseas applicant then you'll need to provide information around your visa etcetera, whereas a you know a citizen or resident doesn't need to do that.

Colin Frick

So you'd need to be prepared. There's a lot of help on the website about how to go about this, but it is a fairly lengthy application. 4 pages of data fields and then you can save and continue and so I recommend you commence as soon as you can, save your application and when you're ready to complete it, then you can submit your application and it is important that you not only save it, but you also submit it at the end.

Colin Frick

One of the really important sections of the application is to select the work location preferences. Now in the meet you intake, there are less HHS involved. This year was the first year anyway, but this year mainly because they had plans around their intakes. But there are still many of the HHSs involved, but you need to make a selection and the way in which the process works is.

Colin Frick

The first, your first preference, HHS.

Colin Frick

Will assess your application in the first instance and it's only if that HHS does not shortlist you for some reason. Then you'll be moved to other selections.

Colin Frick

So historically, most applicants land with the first preference HHS and stay there. However, some of the really popular in demand HHS, such as Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Children's Health Queensland, they receive considerably more number of applications.

Colin Frick

And therefore they have the shortlist and send people back to what we call the central pool once you come back into the central pool, you within your application, is then reassessed to take you to the next highest possible HHS that is still open for applications. Now it's possible that you could select HHS as they're all, in fact, closing their applications.

Colin Frick

And in that case, we'll come back to you with the available options and see what you, you know, might want to consider doing. But it is a really important part of the selection process is to make sure you think.

Colin Frick

Hard and long about the HHSs you wanna work in and research those through the web links we provided here, but also on the website.

Colin Frick

Once you've submitted your application, you'll be taken back to a landing page where you can withdraw your application if you want, and you will need to do that if you want to resubmit your application. If you want to make a lot of large amount of change to the application, you can't do it unless you withdraw it. Then go into the application deleted and then start a new one because the system thinks you've already applied for the job.

Colin Frick

So to do that, there is instructions on the website, but that's the page you'll need there. And finally.

Colin Frick

The final files to upload. There's really only four things we're asking you to upload a cover letter, an academic transcript, whether it's official or unofficial, a referee report one and a referee report two. It's important. You try to get the two referee reports uploaded. It's quite possible that if you don't upload two referee reports that AHS may consider your application incomplete and not progressive. So it's a really important part of this.

Colin Frick

Not required to upload photo identification resume.

Colin Frick

We collect all of the pass pieces of a resume in the data collection on the way through, and there's adequate room there to fill in your employment history and provide additional notes. But what we do is we format those in a standard way so that the review teams don't have multiple, you know, presentations or resumes. That's all in a standard format that makes it easier for them to read. So once you've.

Colin Frick

Uploaded your full documents so you can submit. As I said, try to get those four in 'cause. They're the ones that really are the first, you know, shortlisting arrangements to make sure you've got those.

Colin Frick

And I'll hand back over to the panel for a short listing and interviews, and they help you get prepared.

Jyai Allen

I've got it.

Jyai Allen

I'll just pop to that section. Thank you.

Jyai Allen

So the.

Peta Zupp

I can talk to preparing. Are you right? Do I the best advice I could give you to prepare for your HHS is to to get on their website. If you haven't been there before, read and look at their values. Look at their operational plans. Just see. See what you can understand about the HHS that you're applying to.

Peta Zupp

And be able to tell them why you think that's the HHS for you. So a little bit of research and preparation.

Jyai Allen

Advice Peter and actually that goes for any job really.

Jyai Allen

Yeah, the the the employee wants to know that you're actually interested in not just getting a job, but you're interested in getting a job specifically with with them.

Jyai Allen

My other advice.

Jyai Allen

Would be to. If you're not familiar with it, to provide, look at the selection criteria very closely. That is what is used.

Jyai Allen

To shortlist and assess your application.

Jyai Allen

And then I would encourage you to think about examples.

Jyai Allen

From your midweek free clinical practise where you have demonstrated.

Jyai Allen

A good clear example where you have demonstrated each of those criteria and actually provide a example and some of you may have heard of the star framework. It works really well, so it's basically just your way to tell a story in a in a structured way that it's very easy for the person reviewing your application to see that you have demonstrated you've got this. So that's the the situation.

Jyai Allen

The task that you were in, so I was.

Jyai Allen

A final year midwifery student working in birth suite. That's your situation. The task that you that you were talking about.

Jyai Allen

I haven't prepared this examples, so I don't want to get around, but you know I was. I was. I was accuser for for a book and the woman was on her hands and knees something like that. And then.

Jyai Allen

What the actions were that you took?

Jyai Allen

To depending what the criteria is that you're demonstrating there, maybe it's about supporting.

Peta Zupp

Safety communication supporting the woman communication.

Jyai Allen

Thanks, Peter. So we're supporting physiological birth and so then being very specific about the actions that you took as a third year student that demonstrate how you provided care for that woman and then you might be able to weave in some values there around respectful communication and so forth. And then you finish the R, you finish with the result, you know as the result, as a result of my.

Jyai Allen

Midwifery care for this woman and family. She, you know, she had a she had a birth. She breast obviously had a birth.

Jyai Allen

She has skin to skin contact with her baby. She breastfeed. She felt well supported and etc etc. So the star examples I really encourage you to put your time into thinking about your stories and your experiences from practise so that you can tell those in a succinct way on your on your application, but definitely at interview at interview is when those star examples really come into their own.

Jyai Allen

Marine.

Mereen Chandy

Was gonna say about the star in the interview as well because you know it's such an important framework to use. It's a very easy framework to remember and it's it can be used right from the leadership level down to the.

Mereen Chandy

Lowest level or the like, you know, as a starting carrier job as well. So it's a very important framework you have. If anybody can remember this, I think use the staff for everything.

Peta Zupp

Just remember it, it may not be the question that they're asking. So we always we do a lot of behavioural interviewing and we are sort of looking at how you interact from the moment you come through. It's how you present, how you communicate, how you interact with others in the room. So we we do we, we really are looking at all of that how you interact with your colleagues if we do a group activity. So it may not be the actual question that we're asking you, but it's how it's how you interact with.

Peta Zupp

Other members of the group that you're doing so.

Peta Zupp

Just bear that in mind. It it it's we're looking at the complete picture there, so.

Peta Zupp

It's be polite. All of those good things.

Jyai Allen

Thanks Peter.

Jyai Allen

So the the recruitment process might take a little longer because of public holidays and school holidays, so you need to make sure you're contactable during this time. So make sure that your contact details, the emails that you provide are up to date and that you check them. So ideally, don't use your student e-mail address. It might be better to use a personal e-mail address and to make sure that.

Jyai Allen

Ourhealth.queen.gov dot au.

Jyai Allen

Is on your e-mail whitelist to ensure that it doesn't go to junk.

Jyai Allen

If you're not shortlisted by your first preference HHS, you'll be advised and we'll let you know then. If there are other options.

Jyai Allen

I think that's it. Anything else to add from the panel on shortlisting and interviews? Oh, and are there any questions in the chat?

Jyai Allen

Although I think that's that's next, isn't it? We're gonna go now to questions.

Peta Zupp

I'm just looking at the picture that came up to see if it was one of my grads, which I think it might be.

Jyai Allen

Yeah.

Peta Zupp

I'm reading the questions just to see if we haven't. No, I think it's Dolby.

Jyai Allen

Is that Toowoomba?

Jyai Allen

OK.

Peta Zupp

Sorry.

Peta Zupp

Do we have any questions in the chat that we haven't answered there?

Mereen Chandy

I think there was a question about the dual graduate programme. I don't know whether Colin has answered about answered that one.

Peta Zupp

I I'm gonna be really blunt about that. I would ask a dual registrant. Do they want to be a midwife or do they want to be a nurse?

Mereen Chandy

OK. Oh yes.

Peta Zupp

So that's what I would be deciding which one you wanted to do first so.

Colin Frick

In in the application process you will need to choose whether you which profession you want to align with through your graduate year, either as a midwife or as a nurse. because you can't do both.

Peta Zupp

I think you can then reapply next year. So if you say you do nursing and you are unsuccessful, we have taken then if you haven't worked for as a midwife, we have taken them into a graduate spaces.

Colin Frick

And we still know that you are jewel qualified. So we do look at that. It's just that if we want to know what your preference is from a professional point of view coming into the application.

Peta Zupp

One of the people had their hand up and.

Peta Zupp

Fine. Maybe she was giving us a thumbs up that we've answered the question.

Peta Zupp

And there's a question around what is the required referee report that will be in the template, that there will be a structure in that application that would show you what is required.

Colin Frick

Correct. And if you do have a referee report that is on previous years template already done, then we will accept those you don't need to get the clinical facilitators, educators to complete that again.

Peta Zupp

I see. Sarah and Lisa have their hands up to speak, but if there's any way they could type in the chat that we would be able to answer the question if you could type it.

Colin Frick

I'll just put Sarah's microphone on Ora.

Peta Zupp

Thank you.

Colin Frick

I think you might have to unmute your mic Sarah.

Colin Frick

OK, let's go to Sarah again on this one. Let's layout my let's try Alicia.

Mereen Chandy

I I just wanted to answer Leah. In the meantime, Leah, if you're unsuccessful with the graduate programme at any of the HHS, you can go to the casual positions. Like if they are opened up.

Mereen Chandy

Definitely there are demand pools and casual pools available, so they are also.

Mereen Chandy

There's another option.

Peta Zupp

And any job vacancy online through job search you can apply once you're registered to any of the advertisements for midwives.

Colin Frick

And Sarah and the microphone, I think is muted locally, not by the control here.

Mereen Chandy

Yeah, just about another person. Megan. Can I apply at both Queensland and Private Hospital? Yes, you can apply at Queensland Health and Private Hospital, cause private hospitals matters. There's a different grad programme. Queensland Health is a different grad programme. They don't come under the HHS, the Queensland HHS.

Mereen Chandy

But you have to apply them separately.

Peta Zupp

And then you'll have choice, and you can choose and decline as you are offered positions as you seem fit. So.

Peta Zupp

And it's slightest question is, is she's already on a wait list. Do I need to reapply? Colin, can you answer that one?

Colin Frick

It depends on which wait list you're on. Is the answer, so it's a bit hard to tell.

Colin Frick

I would leave your application or if you want to apply apply we will be identifying applicants that from the previous round and on wait lists and going to them with options.

Peta Zupp

That's answerable our questions in our chat. Is there anything specific to do as an Interstate student from Victoria when applying for interviews? Sometimes interviews are via teams. They're not always face to face. I'm not sure of any other specific Interstate things that are required.

Colin Frick

In the application there is an area where you can ask for special assistance for interview, and that might be say you are Interstate and I would like to have a virtual interview. You can request that in that section of the application form.

Peta Zupp

And so this other question in the chat is if we are in our final year this year, do we apply early next year?

Colin Frick

If you're in your final year this year, meaning you're going to complete before there's two break points. If you're going to complete your your programme study before June this year, then you comply in the mid round. All right, mid year round. If you're going to complete your studies before December this year, then you're applying the June July round generally this mid year intake is aiming to fill positions that are available between May and December this year and then in June and July application round.

Colin Frick

We're looking to fill positions that commence in the January of 2026.

Colin Frick

Through to May 2026.

Peta Zupp

Anna's saying she's on a wait list for the Royal Hospital, Brisbane.

Colin Frick

Here on the RBWH wait list. Then you do not need to reapply and the rbwh will be using their full wait list before they move to any applicants for this round.

Peta Zupp

There's a question for Brooke around the reference that would be required. We'd be looking for a clinical reference. So from a clinical facilitator or midwifery educator. So we would be looking for for a clinical reference. You can also include a line manager reference if you're if you're working as an assistant in nursing and aged care facility or or something like that, but prefer preferably clinical references.

Peta Zupp

Are are the most preferred?

Jyai Allen

Would include paid a clinical lecturers as well I imagine.

Peta Zupp

Exactly. Yeah. Clinical, yes, absolutely academic performance.

Peta Zupp

All of those people who know you, who can vouch for you, really.

Colin Frick

OK, there is a definition on the website for that.

Peta Zupp

Is there?

Peta Zupp

Thank you, Colin.

Jyai Allen

Thanks Colin.

Colin Frick

And it and it is and you are right, it is anyone that really can is a is a, you know nurse professional that can attest to your clinical you know level and and can be a range of people but we do look we want one has to be a clinical reference the other one can be a line manager.

Peta Zupp

There is some great questions coming in on the chat, so you're doing great. I'm using the format. There's a question here around. Any suggestions on how our application and resume can stand out from the crowd?

Peta Zupp

Maureen Marie, any tips how to stand out from the crowd?

Mereen Chandy

I think definitely personal experiences and you know having I just was recently shortlisting an application for a clinical coach position and like it's really stood out to me because when she talked to her personal experience there like, you know, and rather than AI, please do not use AI, we really want human interaction in your cover letter and we really want you to see what you experienced as a middle free student.

Mereen Chandy

Or a nursing student. Of course, as As for this mid of break graduate programme, of course you'll be talking us giving us stories about emita free journey, like as a three, three years of your mid for a journey and we really, really need your.

Mereen Chandy

The the real in depth stories like how you contributed and how you did that value add to the profession and that's what we want to hear.

Mereen Chandy

And of course, cover likes. Resume it it it is as you, as usual, it's nothing. I probably won't have much to add to the resume as like you know, but cover letter is something which we would really love to see. Some of those stories come out.

Peta Zupp

Even academically.

Peta Zupp

Those academic awards of excellence or look, volunteer work overseas. If you've done a this is things that as I look back over recruiting, who stands out. So those people who've gone overseas and PNG and and done a community clinic and things, those sorts of things that that make you a little bit different, a little bit unique show how you would what you bring to the organisation that that's sort of the kinds of things.

Peta Zupp

That would make you stand out above other people so transferable skills.

Peta Zupp

All those kinds of things are just scanning the chat. Anything else we've missed from anyone?

Jyai Allen

I'd just probably add to that, Peter, because midwifery programmes are varied across the country and even within Queensland, so some midwifery students will graduate with confidence in perineal suturing, for example, or intravenous cannulation. So if you have those advanced skills, I'd absolutely be calling them out.

Mereen Chandy

Do this.

Jyai Allen

In your in your resume and you may include them in your cover letter as well.

Peta Zupp

Yes, exactly. And if you've done clinical in that area, if you're, if you've done all of your practise in that area and you're already orientated to the site, that's the kind of thing you're going to stipulate as well that you already orientated and ready to go. That would make a difference. There's a, there was a question around how do we get a permanent position. So again there there are lots of vacancies for midwives in Queensland. So anytime even in your graduate, if there's a permanent position.

Peta Zupp

You can you can apply for a permanent position in Queensland health, so there's every opportunity to become a midwife permanently.

Mereen Chandy

I'm not like promoting Metro South here, but then recently we have actually tried to put all our grads into a permanent position where they will be in a permanent pool where and then they are pulled into the area where they are going to be in the grad programme and rotating in the grad programme. So then they go back to the pool, into their casual pool. Once after they finish the programme, which means that it's almost like a permanent.

Mereen Chandy

Position for them in the Queensland Health.

Mereen Chandy

Yeah, and and also and even after finishing a grad programme, you can always apply for, like, temporary positions, permanent positions, casual positions, demand positions. So all sorts of vacancies are available, so you can always.

Mereen Chandy

Feel free to, you know, approach some midwives, your managers in the areas so that you know they know when the recruitment's happening and also feel free to go and talk to the manager of the casual pool or demand pool areas in your hospitals wherever you're working.

Mereen Chandy

And they will know when the recruitment's happenings and then put in your application early enough, because don't miss the the time for that, yeah.

Peta Zupp

And join the college if you're not already a student member in the Australian College of Midwives, get to those networking opportunities. Opportunities. Get to know people across Queensland so that would be a great time.

Peta Zupp

When is a great time to discuss a transitioning from a UCM to a grad? Oh, marine, it says. Are you the appropriate contact to discuss transitioning from a usem to be a grad? I think you've got a candidate there.

Jyai Allen

Right plug, Peter.

Mereen Chandy

Well, we have, we we have, we have quite a lot, lot of candidates like you know we had couple of candidates last year and this year also we have a couple of candidates. So it's actually you know having being a USM is a great opportunity. Let me tell you that it's a wonderful opportunity for your enhancing your middle free skills during your placement as AU SIM and then to become like you know you you are already well versed in some of those skills and you're already seeing things which are happening in your.

Mereen Chandy

Area. So when you give examples in your interview, we can see that all these you know they are already you know ahead of the game so you know so and and and let let me tell you all the managers in our local areas are actually preferring usim's over anybody like so they're just like Oh yeah promoting your Sims yeah.

Peta Zupp

Exactly. They're already fit.

Peta Zupp

Already in the team fit, they're already part of the team, so next step.

Mereen Chandy

Yeah, they're already. Yes. So they've already tried and tested, yeah.

Peta Zupp

Exactly.

Jyai Allen

There's a question here Colin. Other information sessions for the individual health services, and are there different cut offs for different health services?

Colin Frick

And with the same cut offs, meaning application date cut offs I'm assuming and know they're all the same in that case.

Colin Frick

The there are no information sessions I know have been conducted by hhss for this round.

Jyai Allen

Is not.

Jyai Allen

And my personal recommendation would be to keep it short.

Jyai Allen

So.

Jyai Allen

Yes, under 3 or 4 pages. Remember that people look at your resume quite briefly, so it needs to be easy to see so bullet points, headings, things like that. Whatever's going to make it easiest for the reader to see that you've got the goods. And if you there's templates as you probably know in Microsoft Word.

Jyai Allen

But I think Canva has some excellent templates as well.

Colin Frick

Just to just to qualify that, Jay, the you do not need to upload a resume, we get you to input all of the data around your resume into the application form and we produce a standard resume from that.

Jyai Allen

Thanks Colin.

Peta Zupp

How long is the cover letter? One page? A cover letter is not more than I'm going to say 1:00 to 2:00, but one page is a cover letter. That's all. Yeah. Not not more than that. The cover letter is brief.

Jyai Allen

1:00 to 2:00.

Jyai Allen

Yeah.

Peta Zupp

And these sorts of resources that can help us to prepare for interviews. There is lots online, absolutely.

Mereen Chandy

I.

Mereen Chandy

I think indeed is a good website. Seek also has got some of the information on interviews. LinkedIn has got lots of information on interviews and they do have some frameworks and.

Mereen Chandy

Good.

Mereen Chandy

Training tips there.

Mereen Chandy

I don't know, Colin, whether you will talk about them like other paperwork, what are required for, you know, the application process to be further than like after shortlisting when we get we always ask like hey, I'm sure it probably also depend on the hhss like we ask to bring the academic transcript and the VPD.

Jyai Allen

My.

Mereen Chandy

And that is the vaccine preventable disease and.

Mereen Chandy

Police clearance certificates.

Mereen Chandy

Of course, Rafael, let let us have to be up to date. Yeah, things like that. So there are a couple of other things also you may be asked to produce on the day of your interview. I'm sure that'll be depending on the hhss. And you will be informed of the those kind of things once you're shortlisted.

Peta Zupp

This can be either face to face or via teams. Maria in the chat. And does your GPA come into consideration? Yes, sometimes we do list by GPA unfortunately.

Peta Zupp

Knowing that it doesn't sell everything for a candidate.

Jyai Allen

Something just in terms of preparing for interviews, because I've done quite a few 'cause I've moved into many different sectors within midwifery.

Jyai Allen

And my suggestion there, I have completely lost because I'm jet lagged. I'm so sorry.

Jyai Allen

Preparing for you to. No, I got it. So we talked about star examples earlier and so writing them down can be helpful, but the biggest help is for a friend or a family member or your partner to ask you the questions and for you, why have you applied for this role? Why would you be a good fit for our health service? Talk to me about a time when you were in a difficult.

Jyai Allen

Situation where there was conflict. How did you handle that and getting to practise using your star examples and answering those is the best preparation you can do for interviews so that when you're actually in the interview it feels effortless and you really decrease your nerves as well.

Mereen Chandy

From that referee reports, I think yes, definitely there'll be a template provided for your referees to write on that.

Peta Zupp

Approximately what time do we get an offer for a job? If successful, it really varies by Hhs's it can come down to the wire sometimes so.

Peta Zupp

Don't don't stress too much if you haven't heard straight away.

Jyai Allen

So I'm just ticking off the questions that we've responded to.

Mereen Chandy

We will also have a contact like contact point in your HHS like you know, in especially in a hospital wise you may have a contact where you have been called for the interview, so you'll probably be able to ask them about approximate time and things like that when you get back when you like in they may only be able to give you an approximate time. They may not be able to tell you OK specifically on such and such a date you will hear from us we can only.

Mereen Chandy

Just give an like an approximate time.

Peta Zupp

There is a question sorry there is a.

Jyai Allen

And Colin, is there a list?

Peta Zupp

There is a question around.

Jyai Allen

Yep, I'm do it. OK, go ahead.

Peta Zupp

Oh, it's accommodation assistance offered for graduate programmes in rural and remote HHS. I'm I'm not able to answer that one either.

Colin Frick

It really does depend on the HHS, so you can use the contacts in the in the contact pages to contact those HHS you're interested in and ask them specifically because it does come down to the HHS and also the facility in which you're looking to work from.

Jyai Allen

I can only speak from my personal experience that when I worked in Mariba, I stayed in the what was called the nurses quarters for $30 a week. It was fantastic.

Jyai Allen

But I'm not sure. Obviously it's an individualised which services offer that.

Jyai Allen

Just where we're coming up to time, Colin. I'm just checking the list.

Jyai Allen

Is there a list of hospitals that offer midwifery graduate programmes?

Peta Zupp

There is a website they have, they do have it on their website, but it's not always up to date. To answer the question.

Jyai Allen

Thank you. I think someone still has their hand raised.

Jyai Allen

Do two people have their hand raised?

Jyai Allen

Carolyn and Alanis.

Carolyn Hutchin

Hi, I'm Caroline. I'm sorry I for some reason it my chat is not allowing me to type anything.

Jyai Allen

Thanks, Carolyn.

Jyai Allen

No problem. Go ahead.

Carolyn Hutchin

And so I just wanted to know if there was a limit on the preferences that you could choose.

Jyai Allen

Colin.

Colin Frick

Is from a work location preferences. You can choose. You must choose a minimum number depends on the business rules around it. So if you are choosing say a remote, a rule and remote HHS, you can select just one. But you can select up to six HHS.

Carolyn Hutchin

Yep.

Carolyn Hutchin

OK, great. Thank you.

Alanis Little

Hi I had a question, sorry I had a question regarding specifically dialling Down's Health services with the application state thing and take one grad student per year for midwifery. However, because there is 2 intake times, does that mean they're taking like one per intake or is it one for only and you take it from the first intake and the second take? There's no chance.

Jyai Allen

Honest, yeah.

Colin Frick

Coming dance isn't participating in the mid year and take it all for nursing only be free.

Peta Zupp

Is for the start of this year, so they've taken their large number at the start.

Alanis Little

OK, so in the middle of the year, will they be free graduate students who the Toowoomba hospital?

Colin Frick

In the media application round.

Peta Zupp

And not not through this portal is our understanding.

Alanis Little

Yes.

Colin Frick

Yep.

Colin Frick

In the media application round though, they will, but that will be in the 26th year that will be applications for commencing in the January, February 26th year.

Alanis Little

All right. Thank you so much.

Peta Zupp

But please approach the HHS for jobs in the meantime. If that's not, if you don't, you don't have to wait. You can apply for positions in the meantime.

Alanis Little

I am graduating at the end of this year. I'm just trying to get us to put in the dole.

Colin Frick

Yeah. So that's your best time frame for you then it would be the June July application round and they that normally takes you know several months to complete and then they're looking to a point in the early part of the 2026 year.

Alanis Little

Amazing. And one last question, sorry when it comes to relocation Interstate, I've been reading that there is some assistance regarding the travelling and moving. Is that something that every hospital, every HSS will be doing or is it really dependent?

Colin Frick

It does depend.

Colin Frick

The Queensland Health has recently ended the.

Colin Frick

Workforce attraction scheme, but that doesn't mean there aren't specific support mechanisms within each HHS. So you need to work on which HHS should be really interested in and then start talking with that HHS about any relocation support they can provide.

Alanis Little

All right. Thank you so much.

Jyai Allen

Can I just check cause there've been quite a few questions that are specific to individual HHS and someone's written here. Can we find out which hospitals have free accommodation and where do we find out which hospitals have grad programmes? Are there specific? What is your advice? Are there specific places on the HHS website where?

Jyai Allen

New graduate midwives can find this information easily.

Colin Frick

Files. I know it's not easy because I I haven't been able to find it myself. We're trying to improve the website to be able to allow this, but it's harvesting that information and keeping it accurate. The best approach that I can recommend is narrow down which HHS is you're interested in. Use the HHS contacts page to e-mail that HHS on the those graduate programme contact links and just just ask them specifically about your questions and they'll know the answers of that team level. But we are trying to improve the.

Jyai Allen

No.

Colin Frick

Our website to include those things, but as this was the first mid year round.

Colin Frick

It's really a bit of a learning exercise for us around that and many of the Hhs's haven't fully aligned to two rounds a year yet.

Jyai Allen

Carolyn, was that just a residual hand or do you have a new question and I'm just aware we need to be wrapping up soon, don't we, Colin? So?

Carolyn Hutchin

No, sorry, that was a residual handle. Lower it. Thank you.

Jyai Allen

Thank you.

Jyai Allen

Excellent. So where to from here, Colin?

Colin Frick

You can e-mail the support line if you've got any other questions or you come across something. The application you're not sure about that's monitored, you know, regularly and we respond normally within a day. So please e-mail us if you've got any queries and other than that, just make sure that you submit your application complete and submit your application before midnight on the twenty 16th of February Brisbane time.

Jyai Allen

Great. Thank you, Colin, and thank you to the panel. I hope this has been helpful and you feel more supported and on track with submitting your application to Queensland Health and good luck.

Jyai Allen

Thanks everyone.

End of transcription

Transcript for Registered Nurse and Midwife Graduate Program - nursing career webinar video

Nicole Pearson

Good afternoon and thank you for joining today's webinar.

Nicole Pearson

Before we begin, I recognise the traditional owners of the lands I'm joining from today.

Nicole Pearson

For me in Brisbane it's the younger and the terrible people.

Nicole Pearson

I also recognise the traditional owners of the countries where you all join from today and the First Nations people present in this webinar, I pay my respect to all elders, past and present, and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their cultures and connections to the land and waters of QLD.

Nicole Pearson

I'd like to start by introducing myself.

Nicole Pearson

I am Nicole Pearson, director of Nursing for professional capability in the Office of the Chief Nurse Officer in Queensland.

Nicole Pearson

Just a short introduction about myself.

Nicole Pearson

I'm a registered nurse by background and my specialty.

Nicole Pearson

When I was working on the floor was emergency Nursing and I worked as a an emergency nurse educator.

Nicole Pearson

I've also got experience working in public and private hospitals of worked in clinical governance, patient safety and quality done projects and moving into the Office of the Chief Nurse Officer.

Nicole Pearson

I've moved into the area of policy development and government election commitments at professional standards and legislation.

Nicole Pearson

I'm going to hand over to each of our other panel members today and they'll briefly introduce themselves to you and tell you about their involvement with graduates throughout their career.

Nicole Pearson

So I'll hand over to Natasha firstly.

Natasha Moon

Thanks, Nicole.

Natasha Moon

Afternoon, everybody.

Natasha Moon

My name's Natasha Moon.

Natasha Moon

I'm the nurse manager of workforce planning here at Children's Health Queensland.

Natasha Moon

I work heavily in the recruitment of their graduates for our graduate programme, both from mid year and our January February intakes here at CHQ.

Natasha Moon

My background is I'm a registered nurse.

Natasha Moon

Cardiac was my main specialty.

Natasha Moon

I have worked extensively both in the public and the private sector, and also worked overseas in London and in Africa as well.

Natasha Moon

Now, similar to Nicole, I've also got a lot of experience in clinical governance and patient safety and doing some projects as well.

Natasha Moon

So that's my role.

Natasha Moon

So welcome.

Nicole Pearson

Natasha.

Nicole Pearson

Leonie would you like to introduce yourself?

Leonie Farrell

Hi, I'm Leonie Farrell.

Leonie Farrell

I'm the nurse manager for workforce recruitment and retention in Metro North.

Leonie Farrell

I look after the Metro North graduate recruitment side of it and I work with each of the individual facility grad coordinators.

Leonie Farrell

My background is also registered nurse and I've worked 18 years in near Natal Intensive Care nursery and prior to coming into workforce up here in Metro North, I was a numb in special care, nursery and acting NUM in I CN. Thanks.

Nicole Pearson

And Leonie and Jacqueline.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Thanks.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Hi everyone, I'm Jackie Wilkinson, graduate nurse manager at Ken's and Hinterland health service by trade.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

I'm a psychologist, a registered nurse and a Health informatician and worked in lots of different areas both in Australia and the UK, started out in theatres, worked in emergency medical and surgical wards, and then moved into digital health, which is why I became a Health informatician.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And then now managing graduates, the recruitment and allocation aspect for our health service and my kind of key message for people, it is that when you start your nursing career, you're really can't imagine and all the different places and rolls that Nursing might bring to you.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And as has been just explained with with these couple of brief introductions, so like ours, you'll probably change your direction many times.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And that's the beauty of Nursing, because in Nursing you can be anything.

Nicole Pearson

Thanks, Jackie.

Nicole Pearson

And Colin, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Nicole Pearson

Thank you.

Colin Frick

Yes, certainly.

Colin Frick

Thank you and welcome everybody.

Colin Frick

Um, I work in the office of the Chief Nurse and principally support the graduate programme.

Colin Frick

So, by way of coordinating applications, the process and making sure that we can get applications or applicants to the HHS of their choice to the highest possible preference that we can and make sure things run smoothly.

Colin Frick

And that's my role.

Colin Frick

Thank you.

Nicole Pearson

Thanks, Colin.

Nicole Pearson

And we'll move on.

Nicole Pearson

We've just got a little bit of housekeeping to do before we start today, but firstly I'd like to congratulate you all on completing or nearly completing your degrees.

Nicole Pearson

Just to let you know that the webinar today is being recorded and it will be available on the Nursing move free Graduate programme website in the coming weeks.

Nicole Pearson

Your mic's are muted and so if you have any questions please post them in the chat function and will answer these during the session or at the end of the session.

Nicole Pearson

Any just a reminder that anyone in the chat can see the information that you post, so please do not put any personal information or identifying information in the chat.

Nicole Pearson

This webinar is designed to help you launch your career in Queensland Health and today we'll provide information on the application and recruitment process, give you an introduction to a nursing career with Queensland Health and it's an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have.

Nicole Pearson

There are some key dates for you to remember and that the registered nurse and midwife graduate Application Portal opened on the 20th of January 2025 and the portal will close on Sunday the 16th of February 2025 at 11:59 PM.

Nicole Pearson

So just before midnight and that's Brisbane time, please make sure that you complete and submit your application before this time.

Nicole Pearson

Choosing a career as a nurse with Queensland Health can be a life change.

Nicole Pearson

It can be life changing for both you and for the patients you care for.

Nicole Pearson

So I'm going to move on just to give you a little bit of context about how, how, how big actually Queensland is.

Nicole Pearson

We are really a a large geographically vast estate.

Nicole Pearson

We have 16 hospital and health services and they're all their own independent statutory bodies.

Nicole Pearson

There's considerable diversity and you need to consider the type of environment and the Community that you would want to work in.

Nicole Pearson

So for example, when you're looking at Midwife, you're looking at Midwifery, which model of care do you want to work in?

Nicole Pearson

Many of you will have been trained in a continuity of care model and Queensland Health has three models of care in Midwifery, so there's Midwifery group practise or continuity of midwifery care model.

Nicole Pearson

There's rotational shifts across all areas of midway.

Nicole Pearson

Free practise work in one on one specific areas of Midwifery practise as well.

Nicole Pearson

For example, on post Natal wards, if you're considering Nursing, there are many specialty areas across the state and there are different specialties offered in urban environments compared to rural and remote locations.

Nicole Pearson

There are variations in shifts as well, and you need to research the HS options and select the one that suits you the best.

Nicole Pearson

You can also work in hospitals, patient homes, schools and communities across Queensland.

Nicole Pearson

You can email CHHHS directly and seek additional information if you need specific answers.

Nicole Pearson

The registered nurse and midwife graduate programme supports Graduate to transition from academic study to clinical practise.

Nicole Pearson

Your work in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Nicole Pearson

Queensland Health has many settings to work in.

Nicole Pearson

There's metropolitan, regional, rural and remote.

Nicole Pearson

When applying, you'll need to select your workplace preferences.

Nicole Pearson

While these are preferences and wherever possible, we try to appoint applicants to positions that align with their preferences, but this is not always possible from day one, Queensland Health will support every step of the way, helping you succeed in your career.

Nicole Pearson

The Midwifery career structure offers diverse pathways for growth in clinical education, management, leadership and research roles, and we are dedicated to supporting you through your journey, ensuring your success in any pathway you choose upon completing the graduate programme, you can apply to work in various Queensland Health facilities with practise consolidation and further experience following.

Nicole Pearson

We're going to move on to the application process now and I might hand over to Colin.

Colin Frick

I think everyone in just the wall of doing this, maybe somebody can keep admitting people.

Colin Frick

There's some people still arriving in the in the lobby.

Colin Frick

That's OK.

Colin Frick

And thank you and the application process, I'll just be reasonably quick on this to apply.

Colin Frick

Firstly it's this is open for people that will Graduate or not Graduate, but complete their programme of study before June this year.

Colin Frick

So if you're after June this year, then you can apply in the June and July round.

Colin Frick

That is for later on this year, early next year.

Colin Frick

So the application is linked off of a main website.

Colin Frick

You can see this application now you can apply now if you click on that, you'll be taken to an application portal which is and specific for the registered nurse and and Midwife graduate programme.

Colin Frick

You'll get some basic information about the job and you'll go through to an entrance screen to a login screen, and this is a Queensland.

Colin Frick

Smart jobs and careers login, so if you have an account then you'll be able to log in.

Colin Frick

If you don't, you can register and then log in.

Colin Frick

Use the link to come back to this page once you go in, you'll be into the application form.

Colin Frick

Now this application form is reasonably large.

Colin Frick

It's about four pages in, in length, and there's about 100 and potentially 180 data fields that need to be completed.

Colin Frick

Depending on the nature of your application.

Colin Frick

For example, if you are and you know an overseas student, then you'll need to provide visa information as opposed to somebody who is an Australian citizen.

Colin Frick

And there's one of the main parts of the application process, and a very important part is the I'm which workplace location that you would like to work at.

Colin Frick

Now you need to research this by looking at the HHS websites and getting a feel for where you might want to work.

Colin Frick

And obviously location is important from you know where you live, but there are not all HS are in the mid year intake, some are not participating in the media intake, but most are now you can have a look at that on the website but when you select your first preference and you can select up to six.

Colin Frick

Initially your application will go to the first preference for consideration and only if you're not shortlisted at your first preference will your application be considered to go to the next preference.

Colin Frick

It'll only go to the next preference if there are still open for receiving applications.

Colin Frick

So for some reason they've had a high supply of first preferences and they simply don't need any more applications.

Colin Frick

Then it'll go to the third preference.

Colin Frick

Hence, that's why it's always important to try to give as much preference as you can, because you simply be able to be considered for more positions.

Colin Frick

It's that simple.

Colin Frick

You'll be also required to select at least two Clinical preferences, but you can also include a specific statement about your ideal preference, and we'd like to work, and this is all important information because it helps the HHS consider application for the available positions that I have.

Colin Frick

Once you get through the application process, you will need to submit it.

Colin Frick

Once you do submit it, you'll come back to a screen that will show your application and this is where you'll need to go.

Colin Frick

If you choose to withdraw your application before it closes or you want to change your application because it to change your application, you will need to withdraw it.

Colin Frick

You'll need to go into that application and delete it, and then you'll need to go back and start it again.

Colin Frick

So bear that in mind.

Colin Frick

It's always pays the start these earlier than later and you can save and continue as you go through the application when you're asked to upload files, there's only four documents that need to be uploaded.

Colin Frick

One is a cover letter.

Colin Frick

Two is the academic transcript, official or unofficial?

Colin Frick

One referee report and referee report two, so there's two referee reports required.

Colin Frick

If you don't upload two referee reports, there is a very good chance that your application will be considered incomplete and it won't progress.

Colin Frick

So make sure you get those four.

Colin Frick

You do not need to upload a resume.

Colin Frick

The resume details are included within the application process and we produce standard resume views for the recruitment teams, so I'll hand back over on the to a short listing interviews now.

Colin Frick

Thank you very much.

Nicole Pearson

Thank you, Colin.

Nicole Pearson

The recruitment process for this can partake campaign will take a little longer due to the public holidays that we have in April and the school holidays.

Nicole Pearson

Make sure that the correct contact details you use will be available for several months afterwards.

Nicole Pearson

Ideally, do not use your student email address.

Nicole Pearson

Use a private email address that you can control.

Nicole Pearson

Your advised to add a health.qld.gov.uk your email emailing list to ensure that emails not do not go into your junk folders.

Nicole Pearson

You can Google this and add the email address and add your provider if you are not shortlisted by your first preference CHHHS you will be advised and we will let you know if there are other any options available at that time and I'm just going to pass over to Natasha who's going to give you a little information about preparing for an interview.

Nicole Pearson

Thanks Natasha.

Natasha Moon

Things Nicole um.

Natasha Moon

So the main thing about preparing for an interview is just thinking about that with Nursing the questions that we ask are usually are questions around care that you may have provided previously.

Natasha Moon

So we're not going to ask you any questions that you wouldn't be able to answer and we certainly wouldn't be asking any questions of someone.

Natasha Moon

For as an experienced registered nurse, knowing that you all have just finished your degree, so we would be asking questions that would relate to instances where you have provided care and support to patients and their families while you have been either a a nurse, part of your clinical placements or if you have been doing other work.

Natasha Moon

So if you've been working as an Ain or a usen, or even in some instances, you might have examples where you have been working in our McDonald's or in a retail shop, because all of those skills that you have are transferable to Nursing.

Natasha Moon

So particularly around your communication, how you communicate with your patients, their families, how you communicate with your customers, if you're working at McDonald's and what does that look like?

Natasha Moon

So there might be questions about how you have managed conflict.

Natasha Moon

There might be questions about how you've had to escalate concerns.

Natasha Moon

There may be questions about how you've had to deal with something that was challenging for you, so just have a think about what situations here may have been in either in your clinical situations or in work rates.

Natasha Moon

I positions that might be useful to you and have some examples around that we don't expect you to know all the answers and that is OK and it is okay to ask someone.

Natasha Moon

I'm not really sure what you mean by that question.

Natasha Moon

Can you please repeat that question?

Natasha Moon

You can also take a moment.

Natasha Moon

There is no rush whatsoever, so if you need time to think about it then that is totally okay as well, and you can also ask for anything additional if you've kind of answered half the question but you're not sure whether you've really answered it fully and you can ask, is there anything further that you might need for me around that because we understand that you're going to be really, really nervous and we've all been there, we've all been graduate nurses.

Natasha Moon

And so we understand the process and we've been through the interview process a lot.

Natasha Moon

So we understand it can be really challenging.

Natasha Moon

All I would say is just go in hopefully having a good night's sleep.

Natasha Moon

If possible, please make sure you've eaten something come early so you know arrive 1015 minutes before your interview if you have time to have somewhere where you can sit and really just calm yourself for a few moments beforehand.

Natasha Moon

It does collect your thoughts that really, really helps.

Natasha Moon

It doesn't matter whether you're wearing your uniform if you've just come off a clinical placement shift or a shift working somewhere else that doesn't matter.

Natasha Moon

Otherwise, just come in a smart casual outfit and just be yourself as much as you can be.

Natasha Moon

We do understand that it can be really stressful, but just be yourself and just communicate about what it is that you love about Nursing and maybe some things about what you would like to do in your career if you know.

Natasha Moon

And yeah, that's probably all I have with this date.

Nicole Pearson

Thanks very much.

Nicole Pearson

Natasha, would any of the other panel members like to offer any words of encouragement or advice for our attendees today?

Leonie Farrell

I think Natasha did a great job.

Nicole Pearson

He did well, so we might move on.

Nicole Pearson

Now we do have opportunity for question and answer time, so we might move into into the questions and answers.

Nicole Pearson

How we going to facilitate that, Colin?

Colin Frick

I'm just answering some on the chat at the moment, but if you can scan if the panel can scan through the there is one there.

Nicole Pearson

Right.

Colin Frick

I think that Leonie might be able to handle, which is one about the Community Health programmes. I think, yeah.

Colin Frick

Want to apply for community or oral health graduate programme Brisbane?

Colin Frick

I don't mind to travel South or north side, but I'm not sure whether I think Metro North has some, but I'm not sure the extent in other highs is do you know Leonie?

Leonie Farrell

Yes, I MetroNorthRWM have I've facility community in oral health.

Leonie Farrell

So they're based around the Northside, so they've got some bedded services at Brighton, and then they've also got a better surface service at Zoomania.

Leonie Farrell

And also they've got one at kippa ring as well.

Leonie Farrell

So they are on the north side, um within Metro North.

Colin Frick

Ohh.

Colin Frick

We've got a a general question in here too.

Colin Frick

Is what is needed in the cover letter.

Colin Frick

That's a fairly standard one.

Colin Frick

Did you cover that off in your section there, Natasha?

Natasha Moon

Not this time, but I think we talked about it last time. Collins.

Natasha Moon

Sorry, I can just say that because of the grad portal that you only upload your cover letter, that is really the only information that I have.

Natasha Moon

If I'm reviewing your application to know who you are and what your values are, and so I guess I would be saying that your cover letter is your opportunity to sell yourself and to tell me something that's really interesting or different about you as to why you really want to work at CHQ.

Natasha Moon

Because of course you all want to come and work at CHQ.

Natasha Moon

Sorry, ladies.

Natasha Moon

Um, so particularly around that.

Natasha Moon

Then you know why are you interested in working in paediatrics?

Natasha Moon

Have you done anything like that before?

Natasha Moon

Why?

Natasha Moon

What is it about us that that, um, you know, invites you to come and work for us?

Natasha Moon

And and what is it that you're really passionate about?

Natasha Moon

It's only meant to be one page long, so I wouldn't be putting in three pages because I can't read that much.

Natasha Moon

That's too much for me, so just one page briefly tell me a little bit about yourself.

Natasha Moon

Something that's really interesting.

Natasha Moon

Why do you want to come and work for us?

Natasha Moon

Um, yeah.

Colin Frick

Thank you.

Colin Frick

There is a question here about this possible to do interviews through zoom and all teams, but that will depend on the HHS largely what you can do in the application form if you are are requiring a virtual interview, you can request that through the special assistance area within the application you can say look I'm live remotely or I live Interstate overseas and really need a virtual interviews as possible so you can put that into the application there and I might ask the panel whether anyone knows are they are the interviews ever conducted in an 0 S.

Colin Frick

CE style format actually don't know what that format is, so anybody know what that is?

Colin Frick

Whoever put that question, you might have to spell that out a little bit because that's not known to us.

Nicole Pearson

The Oscar's.

Nicole Pearson

Yeah, the Oscars are, um, are the format of examination by the Nursing Midwifery Board of Australia for typically, yeah, typically for.

Colin Frick

Ohh.

Nicole Pearson

International graduates.

Colin Frick

Fantastic.

Colin Frick

Thank you.

Colin Frick

But one about the where the recording this recording will be posted, I'll put a link in the channel here shortly, but it will be on the events page on the on the programmes website.

Colin Frick

But a question here about if I'm progressing into studying medicine after graduating 2025, is it possible to become a pool nurse as a as a new grad?

Colin Frick

And I don't know whether you know the answer to that, Leonie.

Leonie Farrell

No, I generally um ohh.

Leonie Farrell

Graduate positions are are in bedded services, so we don't generally put you in a pool, so to speak, so you actually have a home ward, so you have a base each time, so that's what in Metro North we do.

Leonie Farrell

We like to give you a homeward so that you've got somewhere to go each day and each shift.

Leonie Farrell

Um, and then if you wanna go to the pool, that's somewhere you can go after you have 12 months experience up your belt.

Colin Frick

Paint to see on I think.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

I can add a little bit to that and it also I think will answer one of the other questions about the Cairns Gradex programme and so the Cairns GRADEX programme is pretty much a pool model and so rather than a putting a Graduate into just our nursing and midwifery support unit, we've got streams.

Colin Frick

Yeah, you're right.

Colin Frick

Thanks, Jacqueline.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

So you could be allocated a torn 9 wards that are medical, or a tour 9 wards that are surgical and that is a starting point.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And then you would gradually progress over the year if everything's going well, you would start to get more and more wards added to your portfolio and with the goal being at the end of the year, you're then an all rounder experienced nurse who can go anywhere.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

I think that probably answers the question.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Tell me a bit more about the Grad X at Cairns, but regards the going from Nursing into medical training and I don't think the I don't think you're question is actually can you do a grad programme in a pool type model?

Jacqueline Wilkinson

It's I I understood your question and please put in the comments if I've got this wrong, but I thought your question was more.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

I'm going straight from completing my nursing degree into medical training.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Can I just start off not doing a grad programme, but just working casually and in some kind of Support pool and justice?

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Do a couple of shifts here, there and everywhere to keep up your income.

Colin Frick

OK.

Colin Frick

And on I think it depending on the HS, I'm do go into pool.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

The.

Colin Frick

So I think Townsville has put people into a pool as well, but they're not in this round, they're not participating in this round.

Colin Frick

I've got a question about how would I go about applying for a graduate position one year after graduation as they'll be going overseas.

Colin Frick

That's possible, depending on meeting the eligibility criteria, so if you do work as a registered nurse or a midwife overseas for a period of time, then that may exclude you.

Colin Frick

But if you're not doing that well, then you may still be eligible.

Colin Frick

I think you're eligibility last for about two years after graduation.

Colin Frick

Another question about selected to be sponsored by the Air Force, so Defence Force sponsorship and there's nothing else you need to do other than indicate that within the application form.

Colin Frick

And but he is it possible to save a clinic based grad programme such as an outpatient oncology clinic or does it have to be one year at a word, say before transferring to an area like this?

Colin Frick

Anyone have an answer for that one?

Jacqueline Wilkinson

I can certainly speak from from our perspective, we do have one year allocations, but it is possible for that allocation to be in specialist outpatients and other CHHHS do six month rotations and whether or not they include those kind of outpatient environments in those rotations, each HS would be different.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And that, yes, certainly we can put you on an allocation for your Graduate year in one of those type of areas.

Colin Frick

Tastic.

Colin Frick

I've got a question about reference.

Colin Frick

A referee reports, which is be good to cover off.

Colin Frick

We do have a template and that that is available on the website and the question here is working as a use and through our.

Colin Frick

If we're working as a use in.

Colin Frick

If we have our NUM fill out the report, can we have extra nurses such as syncs and coworkers and comments?

Colin Frick

Extra reference in the comments.

Colin Frick

Sorry, add comments.

Colin Frick

You can get.

Colin Frick

They wouldn't be able to add it to the referee report.

Colin Frick

It's being filled by the NUM.

Colin Frick

The referee report comes from the usual person, so if that person gives you a referee report, that would be absolutely fine and the referee reports Abe want them on the template.

Colin Frick

That's available on the website, but also we're looking for them to come, ideally from a clinical person, you need at least one from a clinical reference, and that person needs to be obviously a registered clinical professional that has got good experience of your knowledge of your practise so that they can attest that your skill and experience and then after that it's reasonably opened.

Colin Frick

So we do allow registered nurses that you've been working with to provide references.

Colin Frick

The buddies you may be working with through placements etcetera, but they they do their own referee reports, they don't collaborate on one.

Colin Frick

Got questions about finishing the degree in 2025 and if you are finishing later in the year, it's the next intake that you need to apply for because you just simply won't be able to start work in the positions that will be on offer for this round.

Colin Frick

So you have to really have finished your graduate programme before June this year so that you can get opera and commence, you know, later in the year.

Colin Frick

It was an online interview.

Colin Frick

And referee report, there's a link actually in the early part of this chat to the referee report and there's explanations on the website about who can fill in, like, just spoke about it.

Colin Frick

See, we got that one's answered.

Colin Frick

Is it OK for referee report?

Colin Frick

She said OK for referee report be OK if it's less than six months.

Colin Frick

And thank you, main.

Colin Frick

If it's older than six months, ideally we're looking for a recent referee report.

Colin Frick

That's the best case scenario for you to give a recent referee report, but if you're clinical placements are such that it's six months ago and that's, you know, all you have then that you'll have to just put that in and we'll may come for an updated one later.

Colin Frick

OK.

Colin Frick

How important is GPA in records in regards to securing a position and this is in particularly as an ICU graduate nurse, but I might get somebody on the panel to answer that one.

Colin Frick

How important is the GPA?

Jacqueline Wilkinson

I don't know if we're all kind of wondering what everybody else thinks.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And personally, from the applications that we look at the the GPA is probably one of the lower items that we're look at and your presentation of yourself, your values, your ethics, etcetera.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Far more important to us then, you've passed a degree and you're registered at the point where we're going to employ you.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

So whether you got 100 percent, 80% etcetera, that doesn't really make that much difference to us.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

It's how you present yourself and how you come across as a person that is far more important to us.

Natasha Moon

Yeah, I would reiterate with what Jackie has just said.

Natasha Moon

The only thing would be is if you have it's identified that you failed some subjects.

Natasha Moon

We might then look about whether these stress of of coming into a graduate programme and meeting a new environment and doing shift work and all of those things, whether that would be too much for an applicant.

Natasha Moon

That would be the only time we really look at the GPA too much.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And just adding to that actually for for that question, I'm in that circumstance, I have had conversations with individual applicants who have failed AA module and reset it and successfully.

Colin Frick

Okay, sorry.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Obviously you're not getting to this point unless you eventually did reset it and succeed, and it's at that point it's about being honest and forthright about yourself, your situation, and then we can make sure that we're meeting your needs.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

If we haven't got something available that's gonna meet your needs, then maybe we ask you to apply again.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

If we have got something available where we can look after you and make sure you're going to enjoy and get the most out of your Graduate year, then we're still going to put you in it.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

We're not going to discard you simply because you failed a module and had to reset it.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

It's this gonna be the start of a conversation?

Colin Frick

Interesting.

Colin Frick

Got a question about working as a army nurse?

Colin Frick

Wait, was it there?

Colin Frick

Yes, it's about the hours you can work scenario N to be eligible for the graduate programme, but it's 960 hours to work as an RN.

Colin Frick

Or work as a midwife, depending on which one you're applying for.

Colin Frick

So if you are, say dual qualified and you have worked as a registered nurse, those hours do not count towards Midwife hours.

Colin Frick

They're separate professions.

Colin Frick

If you are, this person says they're starting a grad programme this week in NSW, but wanna move to Queensland.

Colin Frick

So in that situation, if you haven't worked more than 960 hours as a registered nurse at the time of application, then your application is eligible.

Colin Frick

And we also have exemptions around that for registered nurses working in the community and aged care sectors, so those hours are really equivalent to about a year full time in those sectors.

Colin Frick

I'm just scanning for more questions.

Colin Frick

A cover letter addressed how to address the cover letter.

Colin Frick

Look, you're address the cover letter as to whom it may concern, and bear in mind when you're writing a cover letter, you need to write it in the context of the first preference.

Colin Frick

HHS.

Colin Frick

Really.

Colin Frick

And even to the facility, if you have a particular facility you're interested in, because that's where it's gonna go 1st and that's the context you write.

Colin Frick

If for some reason your application isn't shortlisted there and you move to another HHS, they will be able to read that within that context and understand it, and may come back to you For more information.

Colin Frick

But that's the context in which you write the cover letter.

Colin Frick

Try to keep them as brief as you can.

Colin Frick

Ideally about a page, but certainly no more than two.

Colin Frick

I've got a question here about if you are using or an ADON and an organisation, are you more likely to get a position that will simply depend on which HHS you're with and the reason that the depends is if you're a user or an iron in a rule and remote service and you're living there in it's logical, you've got a higher chance of getting a position in those situations because you're local, you've got housing, you're there working, you know the place and they know you so that you end up with an elevated position in that situation.

Colin Frick

If you're applying in a main a large hospital and health service in Brisbane, it doesn't really give you a huge amount of benefit, but it does count on bit towards your experience and then knowing who you are.

Colin Frick

But it's not an automatic right of entry.

Colin Frick

That's for sure.

Colin Frick

If we took the earliest start in lighter starts for this graduate programme, this application round for those people that are applying in this round positions start at various times, but the earliest position would be in May 2025 and the latest position would be towards December in 2025.

Colin Frick

Do we have to be specific about the hospital in which we're applying and that was in the cover letter?

Colin Frick

So in the application process you required to select the HHS.

Colin Frick

When you do that, you are so are required to select at least one facility at the HHS, so you'll be selecting a hospital facility or other facility in that preference arrangement.

Colin Frick

And I think we aren't.

Colin Frick

I think you covered that one.

Colin Frick

Jacqueline knew about the preference in the application for Cairns.

Colin Frick

The question here my first preference in my application is for Cairns and my cover letter is tailored to the most desired specialty area.

Colin Frick

However, because the programme is more likely to be appalled, where we can go anyway, should it not focus or address just one specialty, that is the question, Jacqueline.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Yeah.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Think I answered that in the chat um recommending because we're on the offering.

Colin Frick

Ohh good.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

The Gradex programme later this year, I'd recommend you therefore write your letter towards the Grad X programme.

Colin Frick

Yeah.

Colin Frick

Mistake.

Colin Frick

There's a question about final placement information on the application.

Colin Frick

If you haven't begun the placement at the point of the application, you can put in the fact that you'll be commencing the your final.

Colin Frick

Placement into the placement information and how long it will be for.

Colin Frick

It's not restricted by the dates.

Colin Frick

Is it possible to study Midwifery is in a gradual hour in UM might get somebody on the panel to look at that one.

Colin Frick

Is it possible to study midwifery as a Graduate RN in regards to time management?

Jacqueline Wilkinson

The I'll go.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Yes, it's possible, but in reality not recommended.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

You're Graduate year as an RN is going to be a really full on.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

There's a lot to it.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And a lot of learning as you go, embedding all of those skills, learning new skills, completing the education programme, that's part of the the graduate programme.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

So to start university in a different course.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

At that time, I think would be certainly not recommended.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Yes, university may very well accept your application, but I I think you're leading yourself to not having a great time in either field, Midwifery or Nursing.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

If you do that during that first year.

Colin Frick

Thank you, Jacqueline.

Colin Frick

We've got a question about this prison Health correctional Nursing count as a community are in and I'm just wondering from that regards to Our's worked.

Colin Frick

Has it all when applying for Grad correctional health?

Jacqueline Wilkinson

I think it it would count towards the the acute towers.

Colin Frick

It depends on where you.

Colin Frick

We saw imagining that this person is.

Colin Frick

This is a Queensland Health delivered service to correctional health.

Colin Frick

You might have to just put a specific email to us on the Graduate Enquiries line about that one.

Colin Frick

Just give us details about where you're actually working.

Colin Frick

I've got a with the referee report from the A, A Nursing Unit Manager be accepted.

Colin Frick

And that would be yes.

Colin Frick

He's a new graduate who has overseas nursing experience not eligible for new grad programme.

Colin Frick

So if you are a graduate from overseas, you would firstly need to be able to be registered to practise in Australia and then once you are eligible to be to be registered with opera, you would also then.

Colin Frick

Have to satisfy the eligibility criteria and hours of registered nurse.

Colin Frick

It would just depend on where you're coming from and in the country of transfer, so we'd have to have to get down to the specifics of that.

Colin Frick

So that one you might just want to send us an email into the Graduate line and give us a little bit more information.

Colin Frick

Is the one his person's graduating next year in 2026, so that will be an application for next for next year.

Colin Frick

In fact, if you're not graduating until 2026, that will be next year.

Colin Frick

Won't even be the June, July one.

Colin Frick

It might be next year in January, February, depending on when you're graduating next year.

Colin Frick

I'm just in the interest of time.

Colin Frick

We're just about out of time.

Colin Frick

So what we might do is I'll be checking these in responding to questions through the mailing list and updating the website accordingly.

Colin Frick

So if you do have any questions, put them into the chat.

Colin Frick

That's fine.

Colin Frick

We'll get back to the mailing list with updates on any of these questions that you know we can't answer today.

Colin Frick

Just putting up the program's website in the email line, which also is in the chat earlier, but you can get these details on the website as well.

Colin Frick

OK, so I might just hand back over to Nicole as so that we can wind up because we are pretty much out of time.

Nicole Pearson

Right.

Nicole Pearson

Thanks, Colin, and thank you everyone for your questions.

Nicole Pearson

Just remember that your Graduate year is just your starting place, but the career that you will have in nursing or midwifery will be the marathon.

Nicole Pearson

It's not a Sprint, so go gently with yourself and be kind and take the time that you need.

Nicole Pearson

Um to to have a really great experience and get everything that you can out of your Graduate year in Queensland Health.

Nicole Pearson

It can take you to many different locations, many different specialties, and it really is a springboard to having a great and long career.

Nicole Pearson

So we wish you all all the best in your applications for this round.

Nicole Pearson

And so we, we hope to see many of, we might see a few of you on our future webinars for the next rounds.

Nicole Pearson

Thank you, everybody.

Nicole Pearson

Good afternoon.

End of transcript

Transcript for Regional, rural and remote nursing and midwifery opportunities webinar video

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Good afternoon and thank you for joining today's webinar, specifically on working in rural, remote and regional areas for nursing and midwifery.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

I begin today by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we're meeting and pay respects to elders past, present and emerging.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders online with us today.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

I'm Angie Zande-Wilkins and I'm a director of nursing in the Office of the Chief Nurse Officer and our team managers and coordinates the graduate portal application processes.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

On behalf of the Office of the Chief Nurse and the Office of the Chief midwife offices, I congratulate you on completing your studies or near finishing and warmly welcome you into the professions of nursing and midwifery.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Choosing a career as a nurse or midwife within Queensland health can be life changing both for you and for your patients that you care for. From day one, you'll be supported every step of the way, helping you to succeed in your career.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Today's webinar is focused on nursing and midwifery in a rural and remote area, including regional.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

A rewarding experience and a connection to community like no other.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

We have an experience panel here with us today and I'd like to introduce them to you now. We'll start with Leanne.

Leanne Raatz

Thank you. So my name's Leanne Wrights. I'm the nurse director of education in the Southwest Hospital Health Service. My role is coordinating education training for nursing and midwifery staff in the Southwest.

Leanne Raatz

My background is I'm 35 years, not old, but 35 years within nursing. Fifteen of those have been in the rural and remote areas.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Thank you, Leanne, and welcome to the panel. I'm Jackie.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Thank you. So my name's Jackie Wilkinson. I'm the graduate nurse manager for Cairns and Hinterland health service.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

My background I'm a psychologist, a registered nurse and a certified health informatician.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Worked in many different areas of nursing, both in Australia and the UK theatres. Ed wards and then did a stint in digital health, which is where I became a health informatician.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

My main message to everybody today is that when you start your nursing career, you really can't imagine the different paths that you may end up taking all within your nursing career. And just like me, you'll probably change that direction many times and that is the beauty of nursing because as a nurse slash midwife, you absolutely can. That's what the career is all about.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Thank you, Jackie and Kim.

Kimberley Pigram

Thank you. Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us. My name's Kim Pyram and I'm the nurse educator here at Northwest HHS. And I run the transition to professional practise programme and that's for nurses and for midwives. My background is I'm a registered nurse and I've been nursing for 15 years now in a few different specialties and a few different remote areas around Australia.

Kimberley Pigram

So I'm also an ex graduate of the grad programme at Northwest HHS as well. So I came here as a grad and have come back to coordinate the programme, so I look forward to answering any questions.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Hopefully. Thank you very much to our expert panel.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Just some general housekeeping before we get started. This webinar is being recorded and it will be available on our nursing and midwifery graduate programme website in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for that. Your microphones are muted. If you have any questions please post them in the chat and we'll answer those during the session.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Also though, please be aware that anyone can see what you put in that chat, so please don't put any personal information in there.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

The Queensland Health Nursing and Midwifery graduate programme supports graduates to transition from academic study to clinical practise.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

This webinar is designed to help you launch your career within Queens end Health.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Your work in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Quinton Health has many settings to work in metropolitan, regional and rural and remote.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

When applying for a position, you'll need to select workplace preferences. While these are your preferences, and wherever possible, we will try and appoint applicants to these positions. This is not always possible.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Today's webinar will provide you information on the application and the recruitment process.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

An introduction to a nursing and and or midwifery career within Queensland Health and an opportunity for you to ask us any questions that you might have.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

The registered nurse and midwife graduate programme Application Portal opened on the 20th of January this year, so it's currently open. The portal will close on Sunday the 16th of February at 11:59 PM Brisbane time.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Please keep in mind this is a hard technical close and applications cannot be submitted following this hard close time. So please make sure that you complete your application and get it in in plenty of time before that cut off.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Queensland is a geographically fast state and we have 16 hospital and health services.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

There is considerable diversity and when you apply these, please consider the type of environment that you would like to work in.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

If you have any specific questions about, you know, specific hospital and health services, you can e-mail them directly and seek additional information or have a look on their website.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Upon completing the graduate programme, you can work in various facilities within Queensland Health.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

For nursing, you can move across the state and different specialties and areas. The midwifery you've got, models of care that you can choose, whether that be midwifery group practise, continuity of midwifery care model, rotational shifts or working in one particular ward for example post Natal.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Nursing and midwifery work is so varied and rewarding, you can work in a hospital in a patient's home, schools, communities across Queensland, just to name a few.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

I just mentioned how vast Queensland is and to give some context and idea of distance for you, Mount Isa is showing here. It is a base for Northwest Hospital and health service. It is approximately 1800 kilometres from Brisbane.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

It would take you about 3 hours to drive 3 days. Sorry. Three days to drive there.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

I'd like to ask our panel to talk about what it's like to work in rural and remote.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

As we're talking about how vast Queensland is.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Leanne, would you like to start?

Leanne Raatz

Yeah, sure. So for Southwest hospital and health service, we're in the bottom left hand corner on the map and our health service covers a geographical area. This is just going to paint a little bit of a picture for you. It's 319,870 square kilometres, which is approximately at according to the map, that's 17% of Queensland and makes us the second largest hospital health service by geographical size only.

Leanne Raatz

So putting that into the context, Victoria is a very similar size.

Leanne Raatz

Slightly smaller and the British Isles is also very similar size, but when you're in the context of population they're looking at around about 6,000,000. Our population for our catchment in the Southwest is approximately 24,000 people, which is only .5% of the whole population of Queensland. And within this we have identified as First Nations people 4000 people, which is around 16% of the population compared to 4.75% of the whole of QLD.

Leanne Raatz

And three-point 2% naturally nationally. So putting that in context, yes, Geo geography, geographical layout for us is one of the biggest challenges rural and remote, but the most exciting thing for rural and remote nursing is the ability to be able to be innovative and provide care through different abilities from face to face clinics to telehealth communication clinics. But not only that.

Leanne Raatz

Within our rural geographical environment, we actually are caring for the patients right across the lifespan.

Leanne Raatz

And I think that is the exciting thing for RU and remote nurses is that you get to, you know, deliver the infant, possibly within that geographical environment, but also care for them throughout their lifespan. So that's it's not just a specialised area or, you know, or a specialty, there are specialties within that rural remote nursing to which you will actually be engaged and participating in in the Southwest look. And my map will show that is we have three hospitals.

Leanne Raatz

8 Multipurpose Health Service or what we call the smaller facilities for community clinics.

Leanne Raatz

Five hospital based ambulance sites and what that means is that the Queensland Health Nursing staff provide that pre hospital emergency response service in the ambulance on behalf of the Queensland Ambulance Service. We have 8GP services and two residential aged care facilities.

Leanne Raatz

And that just gives a picture of all the different facilities where you can actually be a place on our rural and remote nurse graduate programme and you can just imagine the the variety of experience that you would get.

Leanne Raatz

Within our health service, we actually, our establishment, we have 910 full time equivalent staff. Nursing is the biggest nursing and midwifery is the biggest component of that with 401.

Leanne Raatz

Nursing full time equivalents and then we have 33 medical, 106 allied health and 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce. So it just gives you an understanding, a little bit of a picture around how important nursing and midwifery years for our rural and remote health services.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Thank you, Leanne. Jackie.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Thank you. And so here at KENS and Hinterland health service, our main hospital is within the City of Cairns.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

We're the largest major hospital in far North Queensland and provide referral services for all of Torres Strait. So on the map that we're looking at, we are the Yellow health service near the top and we provide referral services for the green health service above us going up to the tip.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

We've got a further 8 rural hospitals within our health service, so nine hospitals.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Total and also nine community health centres and 11 primary care centres across our service, we serve a population of about 1/4 of a million and cover an area of just over 140,000 square kilometres and we also include a prison service as one of the facilities that we manage. We have some extremely remote communities in our outer W region.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Where we're kind of close to the Northwest Health service and we offer graduate allocations in all of our hospitals. But as many of our primary care centres are single nurse facilities, then unfortunately we can't support graduates there. So all of our main hospitals, we do have allocations for graduates, but not at the.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Primary care centres some of the community health centres. We will still be placing graduates.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Most of our.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Rural hospitals as well as Cairns do also deliver full maternity services.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Including the MGP model.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Yeah, that's all of my notes.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Thank you, Jackie and Kim.

Kimberley Pigram

OK, not much more to add about the living and working in remote areas, but a bit about Northwest. You can see on the maps there where the orange on the left hand side towards the top and you can see on our other map how far mount is there is is Angelina was saying it's, you know, two very long days drive away from the coast.

Kimberley Pigram

Or three more manageable days drive. And that's just to our main hospital.

Kimberley Pigram

So Mount Isa Hospital is about.

Kimberley Pigram

60 odd beds.

Kimberley Pigram

With more generalised areas, not too many actual specialties, so it's good if you're kind of wanting to do General Medical, general surgical emergency, that kind of thing. We also have maternity services, both maternity core and MGP. We've got renal facilities, cancer care, operating theatres where we do some general surgery.

Kimberley Pigram

But our main referral hospital is Townsville, so a lot of our patients do get flown out to Townsville.

Kimberley Pigram

And so yeah, that's kind of the bigger centre in Mount Isa. But then we've got our other smaller facilities like the others said we have our Level 2 multi purpose healthcare centres, which we have 5 of and then a few of the primary healthcare centres which are the smaller ones again scattered around that area. So for example.

Kimberley Pigram

Well, you know, we're all the way out here in Mount Isa, but then you could be working in a Level 2 facility in Normanton, which is another six to seven hours drive away again, so.

Kimberley Pigram

Yeah, very, very remote. Also you can see on the map the little island in the Gulf of Carpentaria there, that's Mornington Island. And we also have a Level 2 facility there. So you could find yourself doing some island time as well, which is a lovely place to do a rotation. And I was lucky enough to do a rotation there too when I was a grad, so.

Kimberley Pigram

Yes, very remote long distances, but as the others said, very fulfilling in you know in your work life because as you've probably learnt in your courses, the health outcomes for people in such remote areas are lower than the standard. And so you're really going where the help's needed. We also have very high percentage of First Nations.

Kimberley Pigram

Consumers in our health service, so if you're interested in First Nations health and working towards measures in closing the gap, then it's a really great place to come and do your your grad year and and start your nursing home with a free career.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Thank you, Kim.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Lovely listening to all three of you talk about your areas. It's truly inspiring and we look forward to just in our question and answers a little bit later on hearing a bit more.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

We might just hand over now to Colin to go through the application process. Thank you, Colin.

Colin Frick

Thanks, Angie. Welcome everybody, and I'll look after the the application process at the Office of the Chief Nurse and mainly deal with the coordination of the applications and getting them to the HHSS for interviews, etcetera and appointments, the application process as AG said is open now you can apply through the main website. It's important that you make sure you'll end or use that entrance to the application form because it's not available through.

Colin Frick

The general QLD.

Colin Frick

Smart jobs increase page, so you'll find the application will look very much like this. You'll come into some basic information about the application you apply for the job you'll go through to a login screen. The login screen is a smart jobs Queensland, smart jobs and careers login, and if you don't have one, you can register to get one and then you can come back with the link and login. Once you login, you're in the application form.

Colin Frick

You need to accept the privacy conditions and then move forward.

Colin Frick

The form is reasonably.

Colin Frick

Large it's about 180 data fields in its fullest and that depends on the the type of applicant you might be. For example, if you are an overseas applicant, you'll be required to provide things like your visa information.

Colin Frick

Whereas if you're an Australian citizen that you don't need to provide that. So it just depends on on the application path where you're taking through the form. But it is reasonably large. So you just need to leave time to get this done.

Colin Frick

And we do collect all the resume information in here as well. You can save this on the way through and when you're finished the form, you'll be able to submit the form. One of the important parts of the of the application process is selecting the hospital and health service at which you want to work. So Queensland Health uses the selections of health services as a primary way.

Colin Frick

Of ensuring or navigating the applicants to the HHS.

Colin Frick

Initially, the first preference HHS you select will assess your application and it's only if the HHS does not shortlist you that you will then be considered for other preferences.

Colin Frick

And generally speaking, most people go to the first preference. HHS they're recruited by the 1st preference HHS, and it's only if you're unsuccessful, very few come back to the central pool. If you're going for a a very high profile.

Colin Frick

Or in demand area. So that would be things like Gold Coast, Children's Health Queensland or Sunshine Coast. Then they have generally a lot more applications then positions available and they generally return more to the central pool, they come back, we assess the applications for the next available hospital and health service. So for example, if you've put Gold Coast 1st and Sunshine Coast second well then Sunshine Coast has already got enough applicants. So it'll skip to the third.

Colin Frick

And 4th and 5th. So if you can provide more preferences in your application you will be able to be considered against more locations. As I said, most people will go through to their first preference HHS.

Colin Frick

Once you've finalised your your application, you submit it, you'll come back to us, you know, a screen home screen with your applications under the Smart jobs area and this area you can actually withdraw the application if you want to, and if for some reason you need to resubmit your application 'cause you want to make some changes to it because you can't edit your application, it's just one of the system limitations we have. You'll need to withdraw your application.

Colin Frick

Then go back into the application, scroll to the bottom of it and delete the application before the system will allow you to re submit.

Colin Frick

Instructions are on the website as well. If you do need to do that, but you can do that.

Colin Frick

Just a note on on uploads provided, as I said, we will collect all the resume information on the way through in the application form, so you don't need to upload a resume. We do look for a cover letter, an academic transcript, either official or unofficial, and we need two referee reports. It's really important you get 2 referee reports, one must be a clinical supervisor and that Definition's explained on the website and the other one can be a line manager.

Colin Frick

That's that's a top up to you. If you can get to clinical references, that's fantastic.

Colin Frick

But you do need to upload those four. You don't need to upload any photo identification, any vaccination documents. You don't need to upload your resume, it's just those those four items you need to upload.

Colin Frick

So I'll hand back to you, Angie, for the short listing, talk about interviews and couple of letters and things like that.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Yep, lovely. Thank you. The recruitment process for this campaign will take a little bit longer due to some public holidays and school holidays that are coming up around Easter and April.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Make sure that your contact details that you use are available for a longer period of time, so ideally, don't use your student e-mail. Try and use a private e-mail address that you can control and and you can still view whenever you need to.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

You are advised to add the health.qld.gov dot au to your e-mail whitelist just to ensure that emails don't go into your junk. But if you do forget to do this, just go into your junk e-mail often just to make sure that nothing's gone there.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

If you're not shortlisted by your first preference HHS, you will be advised and will let you know if there's any other options for you to consider.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

What we might do now is just have a look and see if you've got any questions in the chat that we can answer, but I might even just hand over back to our panel if Leanne might like to start first. I'm just to talk about the process, the interview, what can you do to make you stand out from other applicants?

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

And just some tips and tricks just to help you along. Thank you, Leanne.

Leanne Raatz

Right. Thanks. So within the Southwest Hospital Health service for our graduate programme, we actually do our interview process through what we call big crude, which is a recorded session where you'll get an opportunity to answer your questions and provide some detail around your interest in why you want to come to the Southwest and be engaged in rural remote nursing and maybe a little bit of a background around about yourself.

Leanne Raatz

Is really good to have that introduction and I know Colin mentioned in regards to.

Leanne Raatz

The cover letter. That's really important because that really get paints a bit of a picture for us about who you are and why you want to come to the health service and what you're looking for from a graduate programme also helps us, you know, be able to align you with the facilities that we have within our organisation. Tips and tricks is to just be, you know, true to yourself in your interview.

Leanne Raatz

Show us all your.

Leanne Raatz

You know your personality.

Leanne Raatz

All of your interests, because that always helps us as well as we progress you through the interview process and then also then when we actually will speak to you around facility opportunities and because of the vastness of our geographical layout in the health service, we do want to understand you know, what are your you know, your interests, family contacts you know.

Leanne Raatz

Your support network that you're, you know, you're living behind that you want to come through. If you if if you've got family.

Leanne Raatz

Out here in the southwest, that always gives us some indication of where what facility within the Southwest we can actually place you in because that always helps when you have that work life balance with the Community, when which we're placing you.

Leanne Raatz

So yeah, that's probably the the summary for us. I think the big thing is is if you want to come to the southwest, as Colin said, it's really important that you put that down as your first preference.

Leanne Raatz

In your application process.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Thank you. Thanks Leanne and Jackie.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Thanks. And yeah, I think Leanne covered most of it wonderfully.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

For for me, probably one of the bigger items you touched on was that support network. So certainly if you're applying to Cairns and Hinlund health service and you want to go to one of our rural facilities.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

We are very much looking at how you are going to manage out rural. Are you going to be on your own? Is your family going with you? Have you got any experience of being in those kind of situations?

Jacqueline Wilkinson

For these are all things you can talk about and tell us about in your cover letter. That's your one place where you can personalise your approach to us. Everything else is filling out the box and giving us the required piece of information and your cover letter is your one area where you get to really personalise the message.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

So certainly for our more rural and remote areas, we're looking.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Or that self sustainability the you know you've you've spent time on your own, you've been out in rural locations for long periods of time. Those those kinds of experiences, what would be key to us to know that you're going to thrive in that environment because we want you to get the best out of your graduate year. So we need to know that we're placing you somewhere where you're going to succeed.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And I think other.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Kind of tips and tricks.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

From from my experience, looking at all of the applications we get is.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Not to be.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

To fixated on the specialist areas and this group hopefully aren't necessarily looking as strongly at that, but I say and the others will agree, I'm sure on the panel. So many applicants where you've got 6.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Preferences that you can choose and I get Ed paediatrics.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And the other 4 blank.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And all of our three health services online today, ours is is probably.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

I would dare say we took a lot more graduates than the other two did, and even for hours 5 positions were available in Ed and two in paediatrics. So seven people of the probably 70 applicants that I got who listed that.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And seven people got it and the others?

Jacqueline Wilkinson

They haven't given me any other options, so I had no idea where else you wanted to be.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

So, you know, make use of all six and if you get offered a place that wasn't necessarily where you've dreamt you were going to spend your graduate, it's for your graduate. It's purely for your start in nursing. It doesn't dictate where you're going to spend your career.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

And you're going to get valuable lessons for it. So be flexible and open to what opportunities are put in front of you.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Rather than fixated or or even.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Blinkered to how you imagined your graduate was going to be and what opportunities you thought you were going to get because it might be very different and it's still going to be wonderful and exciting, and you're still going to learn lots from it.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Thank you, Jackie. Great advice there. Couldn't agree more being open and flexible. Absolutely. Kim, what's your advice to our graduates?

Kimberley Pigram

I'm very much reiterating what Jackie was just saying about being open to different clinical areas. We're kind of in the same boat, whereas we land wise, we're a massive HHS, but population and staffing wise we're very small. So for positions it you know our grads just have to go wherever there are positions available and we're exactly the same. Everybody wants to go to Ed and paediatrics.

Kimberley Pigram

This year coming up, usually everyone wants to do Ed.

Kimberley Pigram

But.

Kimberley Pigram

Yeah, like this year for us, our paid towards just taking one.

Kimberley Pigram

One Brad on so you know everyone just has to kind of go wherever there's an opportunity. But the other exciting thing is too that in the remote areas. So our smaller health services like our multi purpose healthcare centres, that's where you'll also get the opportunity to do those kinds of things like your Ed and your paediatrics as well, so.

Kimberley Pigram

Often people are a bit nervous or a bit tentative about going to those smaller areas, but it's often where you'll get the most opportunity for learning and expanding your skills, so it is pretty exciting. It is also an expectation of our programme in Northwest that it is a rural and remote programme, so you will do a rotation out there. So we just really want to make sure that people are prepared and expecting that when they're applying to Northwest HHS.

Kimberley Pigram

And we try and.

Kimberley Pigram

You know, really send that message out even prior to interviews and things like that so that people are aware, I think sometimes our candidates fall into the trap of of applying to us 'cause they think, oh, there's not gonna be many people. So I've got more chance of getting a job there, even though they just want a kind of metro programme where they might do a mid rotation, then a third rotation. But it's it's not like that out here. It just depends on where positions are available. And we do expect you.

Kimberley Pigram

Unless you've got extenuating circumstances, we do expect you to go to our smaller, more remote facilities so.

Kimberley Pigram

Excuse me? We do wanna be attracting our candidates who are interested in doing that and have the, you know, the motivation to be growing their skills in that way.

Kimberley Pigram

Something that we look for in both your cover letters and our interviews, as if you do have that commitment to lifelong learning that we talk a lot about as as nurses and midwives because you know the the study doesn't stop when you've finished uni, you're constantly.

Kimberley Pigram

Needing to have that, you know, proactive nature where you're identifying your learning needs and reaching out for help and you know we've got plenty of support for you so that you can keep growing in those needs.

Kimberley Pigram

Other things that we look for as well is whether you've really considered what it's like to be living in a remote area. So we do often ask kind of similar if the others, you know, what are your support networks, what what do you think would be the challenges? How would you overcome things. So we want to make sure that you.

Kimberley Pigram

Sure of where you're going and and you've thought about that and how you're gonna maintain your resilience in that situation.

Kimberley Pigram

You know, wanna make sure you're a reflective practitioner? You're a safe practitioner, and also that you've had a think about First Nations care as well.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Wonderful. Thank you, Kim. Colin, did you want to say something?

Colin Frick

Yes, we.

Colin Frick

OK, we've just got some questions here that I think the panel can hand answer. There's a couple around midwifery grab programmes and where they're available. So just from the you know from the Hhs's online today.

Colin Frick

Can you talk at all about the midwifery grab programmes available?

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

None.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Any any.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Member of the panel. To answer that, yeah.

Kimberley Pigram

Yeah, I can. I can speak for Northwest. We have midwifery programmes. They're 12 months and it can be in either the maternity core unit. So on the maternity ward or MGP as well. Once again, it depends how many they take will depend on what positions are available. We don't, I did, I think I saw someone in the chat saying, can you do a RNRM programme, but at the moment we don't offer that for our programmes. You're either.

Kimberley Pigram

Employed as a midwife or as a nurse.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Kim, another question is accommodation.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Is there nurses quarters available or is there other accommodation? Is it easy to get? What's your advice for that?

Leanne Raatz

So I can answer that from a Southwest perspective, which is probably across the other rural HHS as we do provide nursing accommodation in our in all of our facilities, if you're placed out here on graduate programme, our accommodation procedure allows you to be in that accommodation for 17 months and then you'll incur a rent.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

You.

Leanne Raatz

Payment. If you stay longer than that. Unfortunately, we don't accommodate families and we are very limited to be accommodating for pets and that's one of the biggest questions we do have is can I bring my dog? Can I bring my cat, but I'm fine unfortunately in our.

Leanne Raatz

Nursing accommodation week can't support that.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Thank you. Thank you, Leanne. There's no specific skill set for rural and remote that students need to obtain before they do it.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

I'm not aware of anything other than, you know, for your graduate year, Leanne. Jackie Kim, are you aware of anything specific?

Leanne Raatz

Not specific beforehand, but certainly our our graduate programme, what we've done in the Southwest because we know how excited you are to come out and start the programme and and get your teeth into getting into our facilities. We actually give you 2 paid days at your own home to do your own the mandatory requirements that we have for our for all staff within the Southwest. What that means is that you'll get access to our learning management system and it'll be you access a couple of weeks before you come out.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Fine.

Leanne Raatz

You don't have to do it all on two days. You can just get go through that and that gives you a little bit of an understanding before you come to our orientation week. But it also means you come work ready with that mandatory requirement and you then are just focusing on your induction process as a new graduate registered nurse into our organisation and our facilities. So that's just for the Southwest, we do that.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

OK, here's another interesting question as well. Will there be any additional First Nations cultural competency and training?

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

When the grads first start, particularly in the very rural and remote facilities or areas.

Kimberley Pigram

We do provide that at Northwest they do some cultural capability training as part of their corporate orientation week as well, which is a really good session with one of our local elders.

Kimberley Pigram

Some communities that you go to have their own training as well. So like if you were to go to dormergy on Mornington Island, their community council does also provide training in our cultural capability to do specifically with their community.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Wonderful. Great. Thank you. Another question, as a new grad, if you get a rule in remote position, is it only the general hospitals that you go to or can you be placed in a primary care clinic?

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

In the elf. Sorry. Any any any member of the panel just jump in.

Leanne Raatz

Do I?

Leanne Raatz

So I think I'll just reiterate, I think Jackie Jacqueline mentioned that at the beginning. So in our organised Southwest Hospital Health service, because the primary healthcare clinics are one nurse stations, we actually don't have positions where graduate nurses go there for placement and rotations. And so mainly you will go to the larger hospital or the multiple multipurpose health services, but it's not to say that you won't get an opportunity to go and see what the primary healthcare facilities do.

Leanne Raatz

And have the the directors of nursing and that that their staff actually manage that clinic. So they're all the options that we can discuss on your learning plans as you come out to the hospital health services.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

All right. Thank you. Thanks Leanne.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Also, just adding on to the end of that, the Community health centres are, I would say, across the board pretty much open for graduates. It's just those primary.

Jacqueline Wilkinson

Health centres, where they're so small a graduate couldn't be supported, but at the community centres we certainly place graduates in community centres.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Thank you, Jackie.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

So we've got a couple of links that are just up here now on display that you can seek some more information for if you wish. Just keep in mind though, your graduate year is the starting place and your career in Queensland Health can take you in many different locations and specialties. Please consider rural and remote as a very rewarding experience.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

To you know, to work in, to live in and to be part of the community.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

We wish you all the very best in your career and we do thank you for attending this webinar.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

I'd also like to thank our expert panel who have been truly inspiring in letting us hear some of their their living and lived experiences in rural, remote and regional areas. And thank you very much and good luck.

Angelina Zande-Wilkins

Thank you everybody.

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