Graduate Nurse Transition Program

Information for nurses looking to join the Program

Throughout the 12-month program you will:

• Be employed in a general practice in the Northern Sydney Local Health Area
• Be allocated a dedicated nurse coordinator to provide you with support throughout the 12 months.
• Take part in education days.
• Be able to access online learning modules.

To apply for the 2027 Nurse Transition Program

You must:

• Have graduated (or, are about to graduate) from your Nursing degree.
• Have gained, or applied for, registration with AHPRA.
• Have a genuine interest to work in primary care / general practice.
• Be committed to attending face-to-face education days and completing online modules

Important dates

Expression of Interest for 2026-2027 Nurse Transition Program will be available from late October.

Enquiries: nurse@snhn.org.au

To qualify for the program General Practices must be able to:

• Offer full-time employment to a new graduate registered nurse, for a period of 12 months. (Part-time may be negotiated)
• Sign the MOU outlining the program requirements.

Sydney North Health Network’s Primary Care Nurse Coordinator will support the practice, senior nurse mentor, and transitioning nurse.

The structured program includes:

• Face‑to‑face education days
• Online learning modules
• Nurse network meetings
• Access to broader PHN education and events

Practices wishing to employ a nurse new to general practice must complete the Expression of Interest below. Approved practices will receive access to an online portal with nurse resumes for interview selection.

If your practice meets the criteria, please submit an Expression of Interest and the MOU will be issued.

Important Dates

TBC

“The Cottage Surgery has been involved in the program since 2019. We have had 3 graduate nurses placed with us. We have been happy with the nurses, and the support the program has provided both to the nurses and the practice. The program provides online and face-to-face training to help nurses to gain skills in primary care.

Each graduate nurse has been a good fit for the practice team. They have been engaged in patientcare and quality improvement activities. We would highly recommend this program for other practices.”

– Dr Kiril Goring-Siebert – The Cottage Surgery

“I completed my new graduate nursing year through the SNHN transition program. I have always been interested in primary health care nursing. It is an area of nursing I did not think I would be able to enter straight after graduation. The SNHN New Graduate Nurse Transition program makes this possible.

My new grad year was a very positive experience. My placement was at an excellent general practice in Hunters Hill. The practice is run by a supportive team of GPs and practice nurses that work to achieve the best outcomes for all patients.

Working as a practice nurse I have gained a wide range of skills. From performing baby health checks, immunisations, and COVID vaccinations, to triaging patients, and, my personal favourite, chronic wound management.

There are many opportunities to grow and develop your nursing in General Practice. The possibilities seem endless.

The program coordinator Amy was a great support, guiding me through my first year of nursing. The program provides regular education days designed for practice nursing. It also takes into account areas of particular interest for the participants. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in primary health care.”

– Charlotte Harkin – Hunters Hill Medical Practice

“I started the program in 2022 and I found it to be great. SNHN supported me from transitioning from student nurse to registered nurse. Having another nurse as a mentor has helped me to learn the skills I need to work in a general practice”.

– Manu Bedi, St Ives Medical and Cosmetic